Personal Papers
Family History Research Guide
The Church History Library houses thousands of published and unpublished records that are common to archives, such as journals, diaries, life sketches, autograph books, and other personal papers.
Use your ancestor’s name to search the Church History Catalog for potential archival material. If your ancestors did not keep diaries or write autobiographies, you may discover information about them contained in the correspondence, diaries, sketches, and papers of their neighbors, local Church leaders, ward members, friends, and business associates.
Patriarchal Blessings
Researchers can request a digital copy of direct-line ancestors’ patriarchal blessings online. Sign in with your Church Account, and you will be taken to a form to verify your genealogical connection with the person whose blessing you request. (Note: You do not need to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to create a Church Account. Creating a Church Account will not result in the Church contacting you for purposes other than verifying and completing your patriarchal blessing request.)
Keep in mind that early Church members often received more than one patriarchal blessing. Also, while the Church History Library holds approximately 4.6 million patriarchal blessings, not every blessing ever given has been preserved; sometimes, the only copy of a blessing is the one provided to its recipient.