Are family history centers going to reopen ever during my lifetime?
While there are many records available through the digitalization project, due to restrictions on some records, they can only be viewed at a family history center. In my area, the FHC have been closed for year and a half. While most public libraries are open to some extent and lots of other businesses have returned to business as usual with or without some guidelines, I have not heard any news that the FHC are ever going to reopen, and so perhaps the in center restrictions can somehow legally be temporarily reversed so people can continue to do their research in documents that they are prevented from viewing due to center closures. There are at least 3 FHC in my city and none of them has reopened. I thank you in advance for your time.
Answers
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Family History Centers are generally located in buildings owned by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's their own decision about whether to reopen their buildings.
Some, but not all records that have access restrictions can be viewed at an Affiliate Library. Any public library, genealogical society or museum can apply to be an Affiliate Library. I suggest asking those sorts of facilities in your area whether they are a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
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Robert
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, one who has worked in "Family History Centres" of the Church, for many Years ... ]
Short Answer: Eventually ... 'Yes' ...
Just so that you are aware ...
Please be aware, that SOME "Family History Centres" of the Church, around the World, HAVE, in fact, REOPNED, since the TEMPORARY "Closure", due to the (Initial onset of the) Worldwide "COVID-19" Pandemic.
And, unfortunately, some have NOT.
Whereas, some of those, that REOPENED, have been forced, to TEMPORARILY "Close", AGAIN.
Such as mine, for example, which REOPENED in September of LAST Year; but, was forced to "Close" again, according to the "Orders"/"Laws"./"Requirements" of the Local jurisdiction; due, to a resurgence of "COVID-19" cases, in my particular State (in my Country).
The requirement to "Close" (or, be "Closed"), is general subject, the the "Orders"/"Laws"./"Requirements", of the "Local" jurisdiction, of the particular "Family History Centre".
Just in passing ...
I know, that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope that this provides you with some additional, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
ps: Unfortunately, we just have to wait.
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Robert
furthermore ...
As, the "Family History Centre", of the Church, nearest you, is (STILL) "Closed" ...
And ...
IF, an "Affiliate Library", nearest you, DOES NOT have access, to certain "Records"; THEN ...
And, as some "records" can ONLY be access/view at "Family History Centre" ...
Can I suggest that you my like to avail yourself of the FREE "Look-Up" Service, provided by the Family History Library (FHL), in "Temple Square", in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Here are a couple of Articles, with links to, that FREE "Look-Up" Service
'FamilySearch' "Blog"
New Library Lookup Service—For When You Can’t Visit the Family History Library
Family History Library
Family History Library Record Lookup Service
Good Luck.
I hope, that this may help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
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Thanks for your and the other replies. I had figured as much and am keenly aware of the resources and things that might be of help, but sadly at this stage of the game, I just need to be able to get back into the centers if and when they reopen, which with some health issues may have me asking people on the other side in person I think before I get back into a center LOL! Years ago I belonged to a website called Random acts of genealogical kindness, but those are pretty much one off questions, not the multigenerational tree building phase where I am helping beginners with getting their trees growing. Have also been on staff at at least 5 family history centers in SoCal. I mostly just wanted to find out if there was a "plan" being put in place, but sounds like we are in the same place we were when the pandemic broke out and so I will continue to utilize non LDS resources wherever possible, which in some cases have less restrictions in the native country's archives than those same records through familysearch. I do appreciate the responses and will just continue to wait patiently to see if they reopen.
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