All microfilms have not been digitized

Blanche M Wallace

I have seen posts at a number of sites saying digitization of all microfilm has been finished. I just looked for a tax record (27 November 2021) and the document I need (film 1955884) is shown as available only on microfilm. So why is the claim to complete digitization being made? Very misleading. Also, film can no longer be ordered from the Library in Salt Lake.

A van Helsdingen

The presence of a DGS number ( 8099448 for this film) indicates the film has been digitized. The reason the digitized film cannot be published is either the owner of the records have not given permission, or privacy laws prevent publication.

Film 1955884 has 3 items and if any Item cannot be published, then all 3 Items will be microfilm-only. Items 2-3 are from the Freemasons of Hall County, GA. The records are from 1919-1921, so some are less than 100 years old. Furthermore, due to the unique history of the Freemasons, they may not wish that their records be available online.

It is true that all microfilms have now been digitized, but there are tens of thousands that cannot be published for contractual or privacy reasons. Some of the press releases and announcements about the completion of digitization mentioned this, others did not. I agree with you that it's misleading when that fact is not mentioned.

Blanche M Wallace

Thank you.

A van Helsdingen

The reason the microfilm service was discontinued was the difficulty to duplicate microfilm. Very few companies provide this service due to microfilm becoming increasingly obsolete. FS was making a loss each time someone ordered a microfilm. If FS were to resume the service, they might have to charge $50 per film, and very few people would be willing to pay such a fee.

Angela Berrett

Film can still be ordered and delivered to the Family History Library is Salt Lake. If you cannot come to Salt Lake they do have the option of our Lookup Services where someone can view the film for you for the specific record you wish to see and, if contract allows, send you the image by email. We are trying to get the correct information out about being able to still order films - so thank you for mentioning this so we can help others understand too.

Blanche M Wallace

I live in Florida and don’t expect to ever visit SL Library, much as I would like to.

I don’t have a specific record someone could look up. Just surnames, if there is an index - then the record. So, that doesn’t fit the lookup criteria..

Cutting off lending undigitized microfilm is a severe disservice to researchers.

Thanks for the response.