I would like to plan a trip to Salt Lake to do some genealogy work. Could someone walk me through the experience? From the airport is there a metro or is a taxi the way to go? What good, clean medium priced motels would be near the Morman center for genealogy? Is there a better time to make the visit? Any advice would be appreciated

Sorry I can't answer your specific questions about SLC, except 1) there's no subway, and 2) don't go during the Olympics! But I'm wondering if you know you can get much the same experience (same sources and same help) at genealogy centers in LDS chapels all over the country. For example, in the D.C. area there's a center in the chapel located next to the Temple on the Beltway. They welcome non-members, and friendly help is always available.

My experience:

I didn't need to go to the library itself, as most if not all the information was available on-line. The library has spent years putting mainifests, birth/death/marriage certificates, town histories, etc in searchable electronic form.

I did visit the library a few times, and really needed to be more prepared. [In our case, we knew the history since coming to the continent in 1685; but really needed more sketchy info. to begin to dig further]

Diane is right; any LDS unit will gladly help.

The online system is really great.

As far as hotels, the Marriott is nearby, althought not cheapest, they have a shuttle to/from the airport (as most of the downtown hotels do). The library is just across the block from the Marriott. There is a hotel even closer; is used to by Howard Johnsons - but I know it was sold to xxxxx?

The airport to downtown SLC is only 7-10 minutes or less...There are several modestly priced hotels/ motels either at the airport or on North Temple from the airport..or in downtown SLC..Hamptons or Marriott Courtyards are in downtown and I think are reasonably priced...The easiest way from the airport to downtown is via taxi..it is approximately $12-14 ..at most.. I have lived in the SLC area for 35 years..but do not profess to be an expert on the geneology ..

I would not go during the semiannual LDS General Conference weekends - generally the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October. There will be many people there, and everthing (including the Family History Center) will be crowded. If you like music, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsals on Thursday evenings are free and open to the public.

Audrey - my hubby is into genealogy, and has gotten much helpful info from our local LDS chapel. They were able to request info from the center at SLC for about $2.00. The above posters are correct - they are more than happy to be helpful.

To add to Kathy's comments about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir they broadcast live on radio every Sunday morning, and this broadcast is free and open to the public. The broadcast is at the auditorium at Temple Square - I think around 9:00 AM. Just returned from the area -- Yellowstone etc. Hearing the Choir perform was truly a highlight of the trip -- not to be missed.

The on-line geneology site operated by the LDS church is at http://www.familysearch.org/