Digitizing Microfilm Records

FrankWallace

1. Would FamilySearch digitize public records that are currently on microfilm?
2. Would FamilySearch financially support 3rd party digitization of same?

MaureenE123

An article about FamilySearch's preservation efforts and priorities

https://media.familysearch.org/familysearch-strategy-to-help-preserve-the-worlds-archives/

Contact details for Archives who wish to contact FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/records/archives/web/contact/. If the organisation which has the public records is interested in having FamilySearch digitise its microfilms, it could contact FamilySearch.

I don't know whether the following is relevant, but the Internet Archive has digitised many Journals which were on microfilm, apparently to a high standard, as the following article indicates https://blog.archive.org/2020/12/30/computerworld-archives-back-from-vintage-microfilm/ , which mentions a working with a company Next Scan

A van Helsdingen

1. FS has finished digitizing it's microfilms. If there is a number in the column "DGS" in the Catalog, it means the film has been digitized. However there are many digitized records that cannot be published. This is usually due to privacy and contractual reasons.
2. I know FS has done digitization and microfilming on behalf of others (I know for sure they have done it for FindMyPast) before. I'm not sure that they would pay for others to microfilm or digitize. They would probably insist in negotiations for such deals that they get a copy of the finished product, which may be a deal breaker for some.

If you post the film numbers you are interested in myself or someone else may be able to help you more.

MaureenE123

I am not connected with FamilySearch.

It appears the holder of the public records has microfilms, but these are not yet available digitally.

If this organisation is interested in contacting FamilySearch, use Contact Us applicable for Records Custodians and Archives.

"FamilySearch’s Strategy to Help Preserve the World's Archives" 20 April 2018. familysearch.org. This sets out FamilySearch priorities

The Internet Archive (Archive.org) has also digitised a lot of microfilms, working with a company called Next-Scan https://blog.archive.org/2020/12/30/computerworld-archives-back-from-vintage-microfilm/

FrankWallace

Thank you Maureen, I will pass this on. Much appreciated and we'll see how it goes.