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After 66 years in Provo, Stevenson’s Genealogy and Copy Center closes Saturday

By Genelle Pugmire - | Mar 25, 2022

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

Stevenson Genealogy and Copy Center in Provo is shown on Thursday, March 24, 2022. The business is closing after 66 years in operation.

When J. Grant Stevenson completed his Master’s thesis, he took it to a Provo printer to get it priced out. When he got the bid he said he could buy a printer and do it himself for less money — so he did.

That was 66 years ago. Stevenson started his business with one printer in the basement of his home and it grew there for 10 years until it was moved to its current home on Cougar Boulevard.

It was Stevenson’s Genealogical Center in the early years, but changed over time to Stevenson’s Genealogy & Copy Center. The business is now run by the founder’s son, Chris Stevenson.

Saturday will be the last official day for Chris Stevenson and his crew. Stevenson is retiring after working side-by-side with his father since he was a young boy. In fact, his three sisters, his own children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews have all worked at the family business.

Chris Stevenson became a real employee of the copy center when he was in junior high by running the offset press.

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

Stevenson Genealogy and Copy Center in Provo is shown on Thursday, March 24, 2022. The business is closing after 66 years in operation.

“It’s been something I’ve appreciated doing my whole life,” Chris Stevenson said. “It’s been a real blessing to work with so many good people.”

Stevenson’s Genealogy has a devoted clientele, many of whom have been customers for decades, according to Chris Stevenson.

While Grant Stevenson was building a family business, he was also teaching religion and genealogy at Brigham Young University. The last twenty years of his teaching career focused entirely on genealogy.

Grant had been a genealogist since he was a teenager. He designed forms to make it easier to write down information form microfiche film.

“People saw him marking the forms and wanted to buy some from him,” Chris Stevenson said. “That’s how this all started.”

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

Stevenson Genealogy and Copy Center in Provo is shown on Thursday, March 24, 2022. The business is closing after 66 years in operation.

Chris Stevenson took over from his dad when he retired a few decades ago. At the age of 95, J. Grant Stevenson died Nov. 2, 2021.

The business weaved in other products through the years, according to Chris Stevenson. When scrapbooking was big, the store was there to supply the paper and other products. They even branched out and sold LDS books. Anything they could do to keep the money coming in, was worth a look.

The store’s motto was simple — “We make people happy every day.”

Admittedly, there were some days that didn’t go as well as others. Chris Stevenson said he has seen paper shortages and supply chain problems many times over the decades.

“I’ve seen prices jump and shortages over the years,” Chris said. “In the 70s and 80s there were paper shortages like now.”

Stevenson’s Genealogy and Copy Center will close its doors for the final time on Saturday. While no one bought the business itself, the building has been sold and Chris has until March 31 to vacate the building. He officially retires April 1.

In the meantime, equipment has been sold to other print companies and clearance sales on paper goods and other supplies have been helping to clear things out.

When the doors close Saturday, one of Provo’s longtime businesses will become a fond memory, and the building at 230 W. Cougar Boulevard will be changed forever.

Chris Stevenson and his wife Mary will be serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have already been serving in the Provo Temple and will be serving in the Family History Center in Lehi.

It appears, just like his father before him, that family history will always be a part of Stevenson’s life. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

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