Why are they removing the Family History Library Catalog?
The FHLC is going to be removed and replaced by the "Images" section on FamilySearch which does. Not. Work. The localities are all screwed up. It is very hard to find anything because the record types are not specific. We need the Family History Library Catalog to continue. We need more cataloguers to catalog the new records coming in. Stop trying to reinvent something just for the sake of "Improvement" which is being decided by non-genealogists.
We need to fix the IMAGES portion of the website. We need to preserve the Catalog which is the easiest way to access records. Hands-down.
Best Answer
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Hi Everyone,
I am a current employee of FamilySearch (yes, I'm a genealogist), and have been in dozens of meetings over the last 12 months discussing the future of the Catalog. The rumor that the catalog is being 'done away with'/discontued/etc is false. Here are some things you can expect in the future though.
- For new image capture you will want to use Images to access them. This feature is being worked on and the user experience improved.
- The catalog will continue to exist for all physical assets (film, fiche, maps, books, etc) - we are changing platforms/systems but the catalog is not going away.
The changes to the catalog are in process will continue for several more months. It will be accessible during the transition time like normal. I highly recommend referring to the FamilySearch Newsroom (media.familysearch.org) for any major announcements on changes to products like the catalog.
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Why do you believe the catalog will be replaced with Images?
I agree that Images is unusable, so your belief is highly worrisome.
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The Images section on FamilySearch is only for images which can be viewed on your home computer. The Catalog contains so much more, such as digitised microfilms which can only be viewed at Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries, books at the Family History Library and other centres, microfiches, none of which have been digitised yet (to my knowledge) , CDs and probably other things.
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As far as how do I know, trust me. I do.
The Images section is worthless. They do not listen to genealogists until they publish something too early, it doesn't work, it is a major failure, and then they're stuck.
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Is there a statement posted somewhere that states that the catalog is going away? I'd like to read about it.
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I have read that the catalog is currently locked as it is being overhauled, not that it is going away. @N Tychonievich made that statement 2 days ago in this thread: https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/401923#Comment_401923 and I have read that same statement elsewhere within the last few weeks.
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Some wiki background about FS Catalog - I learned it's also available on WorldCat. So I guess if it disappears from Familysearch.org it might still be available there in some form (dated/aging)? The following appears to be the FHC portal link on WorldCat: https://www.worldcat.org/libraries/7163
The Help Center articles about Catalog being 'locked' for upgrades, etc do not seem available now - so no references currently.
It should be interesting to see what system they are upgrading to. Maybe it will be released with minimal beta like all the others recently.
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Are all the books going to be indexed and otherwise treated like historical records?
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I don't know (I have no prior/current connection/work experience with FamilySearch) - but - I think they would all be added under Search> Books with varying copyright access. So no - they would not all have viewable digital copy. I do not know whether indexes would be viewable - interesting question. I do know that if a book is returned in results you can manipulate the search for specific queries (at least for those with a searchable digital copy - but not accessible).
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Your comments seem to invalidate your assumption (based upon whatever rumors you may have heard). I don't really find that FamilySearch platform trajectory invalidates 'genealogists'. Perhaps it is more of 'inviting 'commoners' to the feast' that you object to?
I really detest and find offensive many of the ideas posted that FamilySearch is 'dumbing down' its interface/platform to appeal to 'new' users. Yes platform changes are and will continue to take place - and yes - because they are different one can point out how older interface/platform may have performed more efficiently - and I along with all hope for the best/most efficient platform. And yes - I do hope they consider the 'voice' of users/guests here in Community. But to spread rumor in Community isn't what is needed - forgive me for lecturing - but I really want FamilySearch platform to succeed and continue improving - even if it has to take 3 steps backward and 1 forward.
Also I am convinced that FamilySearch knows the roadmap ahead - we do not - I wish we did hear more of the roadmap. In this respect I will try to be a 'lowly' user/patron/guest - for I too know that my thoughts and ideas matter not.
Main idea: let truth prevail in Family Tree - supported by records and/or family lore (whichever is available or both) - and also in Community.
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There are hundreds of people currently working on organizing the image collections by locality to improve the usability of the Historical Images catalog. This is a high priority project to prepare for the ingest of millions of new images. Many of the FamilySearch employees are genealogists themselves and want to make the site simple for new users but also allow complex searching for the experienced. I echo the last comment that FamilySearch know the road map ahead and that users of the website need to be patient and supportive. Feel free to use the Feedback feature on most pages to express any concerns or ideas. They are most definitely considered.
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Great to hear that the (currently awful) "Images" is being worked on, but do you know anything about the future of the main Catalog? Obviously this has links to records that are in indexed (only) collections (without images), too, so whatever improvements are made to Images, the Catalog section needs to be improved and updated asap. As it's been locked for some considerable time now, no wonder speculation is focussed on its possible demise.
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Thank you @Lynn Turner
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