Information available to non LDS members
Hi
For many years I have been a gratefull user of my local Family History Centre and the family search web site, sadly due to covid my local centre is closed and when I visited today they had no idea when they may reopen. I am currently looking for the will of my Great x 7 Uncle whilst it is available on the browse feature of the Family search web site as a non LDS member I am unable to access this document except at a Family History Centre. As the only possible places this document is available are Canterbury Cathederal Archives (They hold the original Document but are 500 miles away) or LDS, Is there any way around this problem such as a temporary login I could use to access this document.
Regards Tony
Best Answer
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Some of the historical records available through FamilySearch can only be accessed at the Family History Library, family history centers, or affiliate libraries due to copyright restrictions or partner agreements. Due to COVID-19 conditions, visiting one of these facilities to look at materials has not been possible.
To offset pandemic restrictions and as part of an effort to serve a global audience living too far away to visit the library, the Family History Library has launched its own lookup service. If you provide the title or call number of the book or film, along with the page numbers to have copied, if known, they will email you a PDF copy.
For additional information on this service, please visit the following link to the FamilySearch blog:
https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/library-lookup-service-fhl/?mc_cid=281b905a75&mc_eid=35da191d69
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Answers
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Sorry for the challenge you are facing @Tony Maxted. Well with this, the best option now will be to wait for the Local Family History in your area to open up again or try going to a different Family History Center you know is open during this time so you can access the record you seek for.
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Sadly here in Scotland that does not seem possible at the moment as I could not find any that are currently open and it seems the Glasgow site closed a few years ago berore Covid and the gentleman I spoke with said there is no plan to re open.
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@Tony Maxted, I am sorry that you find yourself in this situation - unable to access records that you know exist. I just want to add one thought to that which has already been stated.
I wonder if you have considered (or tried) contacting the Canterbury Cathedral Archives to inquire if there exists some service that would allow you to obtain a copy of the will that you seek. The FamilySearch Wiki contains an article, Canterbury Cathedral Archives that may be of interest and does contain contact information.
Alternatively, there do appear to be a number of professional genealogists that regularly do research in the Canterbury Cathedral Archives. It is possible that by providing very detailed information about the will and what collection it may be found in, you might be able to engage a professional genealogist without spending too much.
If this is something that you might consider, the following URL seems to provide a list of researchers that include this archives as a location that they cover. Please note that by providing the URL, I am not recommending any of these individuals - but only noting that this resource exists. As always, please be careful when visiting a new website.
For you information the above website is is found at: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Independent-Researchers-2018.pdf
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Hi
Answer to Mike357
I was born in Canterbury and although I have no family remaining in the area I do still visit every few years to visit the Archives and view material that is only available there so if all else fails I will add the will to my list.
Answer to AWillis
Your reply looks to be exactly the answer I was hoping for, I will give it a try (no pun intended)
Thanks for your answers.
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Hi Again
Thanks AWillis, using the link you provided a pdf of the Will was emailed to me a few days after my enquiry, Fantastic service that is much appreciated! again thanks everyone for the help
Regards Tony
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Hi, is there a link to find out which states have reopened their Family History Centers. Virginia has not and South Carolina has. I'd like to find the closest state and center that is open. Thank you.
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You should be able to find a local FHC/AF (Family History Center or Affiliate Library) at:
Just plug in your address and it should zoom to what is available nearby.
To find out if they are open - consult the hours of operation and phone ahead.
When clicking/selecting one of the icons (FHC/AL) you will see those hours and contact information.
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To add to what @genthusiast said: the opening hours on the map are often out-of-date. You should never rely on that information: always ring ahead before visiting.
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