The Prairie History Room's (PHR) operating hours for the upcoming Easter weekend are:

Thursday, April 5: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
Friday, April 6: CLOSED
Saturday, April 7: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 8: CLOSED
Monday, April 9: CLOSED

We will be resuming our normal operating hours (9:30 am to 9:00 pm) on Tuesday, April 10.

On behalf of the staff, we would like to wish all of our researchers and colleagues a Happy Easter!

John Williams, the director for the Family History Center (FHC) here in Regina (550 Sangster Blvd), contacted us recently to say that they have new hours of operation:

Regular Hours (September – June)
Tuesdays: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Summer Hours (July – August)
Tuesdays: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Christmas Closure: Sunday December 16, 2012 – Wednesday January 2, 2013.

Note: They generally close the library early on Tuesdays if no one arrives before 8:00 PM. Updated hours are always available at their webpage.

April 2 was a banner day for genealogists as the 1940 US census was finally released by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). What makes this update so exciting is that the records are available online for free!

People at home can access it through the U.S. National Archives site at:
http://1940census.archives.gov/

This site has a step-by-step guide to get started but researchers should note that the census is NOT indexed meaning that researchers can only search by location right now. Like any new product launch, people should be aware that access will be slow for the first few days, since many people will be using this invaluable resource.

In addition, FamilySearch.org is looking for volunteers to help index the 1940 US Census.

For those who missed the article in the Leader Post newspaper, the Saskatchewan Archives Board (SAB) have reduced their operating hours. Effective immediately, both of the reading rooms in Regina and Saskatoon are open the following days and hours:

Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesdays: 10 am to 4 pm
Wednesdays: 10 am to 4 pm
Thursdays: 10 am to 4 pm (no evening hours)
Fridays: CLOSED