Roberts cautions genealogical and historical research is time-consuming and usually complex. We improve our odds for success when we follow proven principles. Trace one surname in one locality at a time. This is an especially big problem for the LDS Church's Family History Library and its branches. The church has done a remarkable and commendable job of copying, collecting and preserving records, and making them available to the public, but it can't begin to live up to some of the naive expectations.
Many visitors have mistaken views at both ends of the spectrum.
The truth is 1.9 million microfilms and 430,000 microfiche in the Family History Library contain far, far more records than those of church members, but they don't come close to all the people who ever lived. Unreasonable expectations of the Family History Library. The library provides no research service. Overestimating the power of computers. The library and its branch centers provide patrons 5,500 computer workstations for genealogical research through its FamilySearch database.