Recent updates broke Firefox Source Linker
I've been having problems in the last week or so when using FamilySearch with my preferred browser FireFox. For example, SourceLinker starts to load but it seems never fills in the details; it just spins its wheels (screen capture attached after I'd given it a minute or so to load). I've also seen cases where adding a user on eg. a census Source Linker just won't ever bring up the "new person" dialog. I can't actually get back to that point today because as noted Source Linker seems completely busted.
I've tried the same URLs using Chromium, and things are just hunky-dory.
I know Firefox isn't as popular as Chrome or Chromium, but it's a solid browser, standards compliant and a significant part of the market. Is it something FamilySearch tests against for their web interface? If I can't use Firefox for FamilySearch, I'll likely just stop working on FamilySearch entirely.
I'm using Firefox 78.14.0esr (64-bit) on Linux
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Hi ShaemusPratt,
We're sorry you are having trouble with using the source linker in FamilySearch. Firefox, Chrome , Edge and Safari all are compatible browsers with FamilySearch if they are the current version or one previous. However, the FamilySearch website supports the current Windows and Mac operating system (OS) versions and one version back. Other OS may not be as compatible. Here is a link to an article from the Help Center that gives browser and operating system information:
Hope this information will clarify why the source linker may not be filling in.
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I tried to replicate the problem you are having with FamilySearch and Firefox.
I was able to use the source linker as it is supposed to work and everything worked perfectly.
It appears that you are very behind on the most recent version of Firefox. The current version is 92.0 64 bit
In Firefox Click on the top right 3 line on top of each other. Then click on the Help and then about Firefox. Then you will see that you need to update your version of Firefox. As indicate in the help article that @L.L.Erickson gave you above you need to be on the current version or the previous one.
You may want to check the version of Firefox every 2 weeks or so. All of the FamilySearch compatible browsers are being updated frequently. Another good Maintenance thing to do is to clear your cookies and cache every few days.
Here is a link on how to do that.
Hopefully, this will help you.
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You're right, the version of Firefox on my Debian system is pretty old. I've stuck with it because it's the one that comes with the distribution but that distribution ("Buster") is two years old now. Firefox running on the Ubuntu system I'm on now is version 91.0.2 and it seems fine.
I see Debian released Bullseye last month - time to upgrade I think.
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Since my last post I've upgraded my system from Debian 10 "Buster" (released in 2019) to Debian 11 "Bullseye" (released August 2021). Unfortunately they've stuck with the same 78.14.0esr. So, still somewhat dated and, alas, it's still exhibiting the broken Source Linker behaviour. I can't really fault Debian for sticking with that version as it's what Firefox is supporting in the Extended Support Release chain. I've installed the latest Firefox Desktop 92.0 version from Mozilla and it's corrected the problem though so I have a fix. Interestingly, Canonical is building a more recent version for Ubuntu and avoiding the ESR builds (the release notes mention it), so they seem to be aware of issues with it or perhaps they're just looking for the better performance.
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I have the same problem - running the latest Firefox 94.0.1 (64 bit) on Windows 7 Pro
My suspicion is that the problem might be related to Add-Ons. NoScript and uBlock Origin are probably the most likely culprits. I am also using Disconnect.
All scripts for the page appear to be enabled for NoScript.
I am still learning the advanced capabilities to uBlock Origin when it needs tweaking - as far as I can see I enabled anything it was blocking... so for the moment I am stumped.
I tried disabling each of the Add-Ons without seeing an improvement (though I haven't relaunched Firefox)
The other possibility is that it may only be affecting a subset of url's.
I got to the problematic screen following a web hint from RootsMagic. The current problematic url is
OK... next test was with Firefox on a Windows 10 machine.
I was able to load the above url without problems.
I noted that uBlock Origin was already installed - so evidently not the culprit.
I then added Disconnect and relaunched Firefox.
Now I see problems - not as bad as I was seeing originally but I have the spinning wheel, and missing data.
So right now the main suspect is Disconnect.
I also installed NoScript and tried again... at first it looked like more elements of the page were missing but then they appeared without me consciously doing anything.
So in short:
- if you are running Disconnect, disable the extension and restart Firefox
- If you are still having a problem try the same with NoScript
(I think uBlock Origin is by default blocking adobetm.com and omtrdc.net from this page but they are probably not critical)
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Hi, have had the similar problems for months using Firefox, latest version on Win 10 machine. "Fixed" by using Chrome. Finally decided to investigate today and after reading suggestions here, checked Addons etc. I have Disconnect, but it was disabled. Back on the main screen I noticed that AdBlock Plus was apparently blocking ads on the site, so turned it off for this site (had to do a couple or times until is stayed greyed out) and restarted and it is all working beautifully. Don't ask me to explain why other than to support the view that it is related to Addons/Extensions.
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Excelentes respuestas de LLErickson y de CHold . Felicitaciones.
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