Can the family history library loan films to other family history centers?
Hello, I have several family history centers in my area and I wondered if they are allowed to get films on loan from the main library. For instance, if there is a specific film I want to view, could a local center request to borrow it from the FHL? I read somewhere that you can pay a fee to rent films. But I wasn't sure whether that is available everywhere.
Thanks
Answers
-
FamilySearch's microfilm distribution scheme ended in 2017. It was too expensive to duplicate and send the microfilm, and there are few remaining microfilm readers. All films have now been digitized, but not all can be published due to privacy laws and lack of permission from the record owners.
However the FHL does have a lookup service: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/FHL_Lookup_Services
1 -
Sarah
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I happen to be a Member o the Church ... ]
[ And, I have been a Staff Member, of Family History Centres", of the Church, for many Years ... ]
And, with NO "Authority", of the Church; nor, that of 'FamilySearch' ...
Just in passing ...
Short Answer: I would humbly suggest not ...
There are MANY "Family History Centres" of the Church, all around the World.
IF, that is done for some; THEN, that would need to be done for ... ALL
Now ...
That Said ...
You Said: I read somewhere that you can pay a fee to rent films
That is what used to happen, to the FHL Films, that were distributed, all around the World.
The FHL Films, were "Rented", by the Users/Patrons; and, sent to the "Family History Centres" of the Church, nearest them, for the User/Patron to access/view, for whatever "Period" had been paid for - ie. "On Loan".
MANY "Family History Centres" of the Church, were allowed to "Retain", the FHL Films (and, Microfilms), that pertained, to their particular Region - often, a "Permanent" Loan.
As an aside ...
The FHL Films, that were "Requested" by the Users/Patrons; and, distributed, by the Church, were actually "Copies", of the "Masters", of those FHL Films, that are held, in the "Granite Mountain Vault", of the Church, in the Mountains near "Salt Lake City", in Utah, USA.
The "Cost", of the "Medium", used to produce, those FHL Films (and, Microfilms), by 2017, had become far TOO "Expensive"; as, LESS and Lees, companies manufactured such - in this "Digital" Age.
The "Cost", to the Church, of producing, those "Copies" of the FHL Films (and, Microfilms), far outstripped, the "Cost" passed onto the Users/Patrons, with the Price of the "Rental". Plus, not to mention, the "Cost" of "Shipping"/"Distribution"; and, the logistics involved.
eg.
From the "Granite Mountain Vault", to the Regional "Distribution" Centres, of the Church, around the World; then, to the individual "Family History Centres" of the Church.
In this ever INCREASING "Digital" Age - the likes of Films (and, Microfilms), is just like the way of both, Video Cassettes; and, now, DVDs - "Dying" Breeds.
The Church, has NOW "Finished", the MASSIVE Project (effort), of the "Digitisation", of their "Holdings", of FHL Films, in the the "Granite Mountain Vault".
Those FHL Films, that CAN, are available 'On-Line', of course, subject to whatever "Restriction(s)" are in place.
Of course, depending upon, the "Contractual Arrangements/Agreements", in place, between 'FamilySearch' (the Church); and, the many various Record "Custodians".
Whereas ...
The FHL Microfiche, are another matter; and, the next/current MASSIVE Project (effort), of the "Digitisation", of their "Holdings", of FHL Microfiche, in the the "Granite Mountain Vault".
Now ...
That Said ...
Current "Sharing", between the various the "Family History Centres" of the Church, in a particular "Locale"; may I humbly suggest, would be the "Decision" and "Responsibility" (ie. the "Logistics"; and any associated "Costs") of the particular relevant Stakes/Districts, to which those "Family History Centres" of the Church, serve.
Again ...
As, to "Recommencing", the production and the distribution, FHCs of the Church, all around the World
Short Answer: I would humbly suggest not ...
I know, that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope, that this may provide you with, some additional, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
0 -
I see, I guess where I read about renting films was written before 2017. One of the history centers near me does have microfilm readers, but that doesn't help if they can't get the film. Besides, it has already been digitized into images.
The FHL lookup service only works if I give them an exact birth year to check, but I don't know the exact year, because I would need the film itself to know that. Otherwise they tell me it would take too much time and effort to find what I need.
It seems like there must be some other way besides flying across the country to Utah.
0 -
If there are restrictions, often this is because the records are behind a paywall and the record owner doesn't want people using FamilySearch as a way to avoid paying those fees. So see if Ancestry.com or one of the other commercial genealogy companies have the records you want. If you mention exactly what you're looking for, someone with experience in that time/place may be able to help.
0 -
Sarah
Question(s):
Is there NOT, an "Index", of the FHL Film, available, on 'FamilySearch'?
What about OTHER Websites, that are available, through the "Family History Centres of the Church, is there NO reference, to what you need, on those OTHER Websites?
Brett
0 -
@SarahMiller117 If you know microfilm number you are looking for, you can go to the Search option on FamilySearch and select Catalog from the drop down menu. Then search by film number in the middle section. You may select the online option to see if it's available to view online. This would allow you to see if it's available online, if it has been indexed, or is browsable. If indexed, you will see a link to search it. If it's browsable, click on the camera icon. You can then click through the images (or jump through them) similar to rolling through the microfilm.
This knowledge article might be of assistance.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-search-the-catalog-for-records
0 -
@A van Helsdingen in this case it isn't a paywall, it's just that part of the film is less than 100 years old so it can't go online, but the part that I need is 150+ years old.
@Brett . unfortunately there is not an index although that would be a great help
@Tamara Stevenson yes I know the film number 2009316, and have confirmed that it is neither indexed nor available to view online
Are indexes typically only done by community volunteers or does FS ever provide it themselves? Since the rest of the record collection is already indexed, I'm wondering if this film could get one too, without having to publish the images. Or does indexing a portion of a film still count as publishing it and isn't allowed?
0 -
Attention: @N Tychonievich (Would you like to 'chime in' here ... about the "Indexing" ...)
0 -
@SarahMiller117 You've gotten good answers from others already. @Brett . suggested that I answer the question about whether you can request to have a given film indexed. Short answer: no. FamilySearch does not take requests to index records. What gets indexed depends on a few factors. High-demand records take priority. For example, the upcoming release of the 1950 US Census will be a high priority project. Beyond that, FamilySearch has to work with record custodians and other websites to get permission to index.
As to the specific film you asked about, I see that other films in that record set have been indexed, so it is not outside the realm of possiblity that 2009316 is among the ones that is in the pipeline for indexing in the future. All of our indexing is done by volunteers. So, we invite you to join us in indexing. Especially if you have proficiency in languages other than English. Helping out also helps you by speeding up the process and opening the possiblity for more records to get indexed.
0 -
When you look up the film number in the catalogue and the film is only viewable with the actual film itself, there should be a link to see what centers near you happen to have the film. Maybe that would be a closer /shorter trip? Or see if you can contact a person who works in that center and see if they could look it up for you "Pretty Please?"
0 -
I was lucky enough to find someone on a genealogy forum who happened to have a copy of this entire film. Apparently it used to be available online but was taken down. They were able to provide me with the images I have been looking for.
So, my problem is solved. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and input.
4
