1676 [the year]
Answers
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I agree with you there, Melissa. I really don't expect FamilySearch to provide everything for free, especially given how they have increased both the interest and availability of family history, although some people will find it difficult. Provided fees are reasonable I would pay to see all images with the transcript, as I already do for Ancestry and FMP - it's much easier and cheaper than travelling.😀
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FamilySearch has a long tradition of being free to access. That does put them at a disadvantage, because a record custodian may choose to publish their records with a commercial company that will give them royalties rather than getting nothing with FamilySearch. Despite this, I don't see them starting to charge anytime soon, as they have partnerships/deals with almost very major commercial company and every one of those partnerships would have to be broken off if FamilySearch went commercial. So it means that having to visit a FHC or Affiliate Library, or be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be required to view some records.
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Yes, I do recognise the difficulties. It just seems a terrible shame that, having had to put each image on line in the first place to have it indexed, that it then cannot thereafter be annexed to the transcribed record for researchers to glean the additional information and without having to travel many miles in these eco-conscious times.
For example, in baptism records: whilst some include the date of birth as standard, these may be noted in a margin and not picked up; the images may include the address (farm, hamlet, village, etc) within the given parish that is not recorded as part of the transcription; comments linking to another family member, etc., etc., which can be invaluable, especially in older records which are often relied upon to ensure the correct branch of family.
Just a thought.
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