Locked files not opening at a Family History Library
I am at the Williamsburg, VA Family History Library trying to open a file that was "locked" when I was at home. I continue to get an error message that I need to open the file at a family history center, but I am here, on their machines.
The file is Charles City County VA Marriage records 1762-1931 (Film 31011).
Help!
Answers
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Hello Donna.
If you experienced this on one of the FHC's computers, it might be because there was a worldwide problem with accessing the FHC portal on the FHC's computers yesterday (the 4th of May). Not sure if it was the same for personal laptops (didn't try). We also had problems here in Bodø, Norway.
Kindly,
Anne-Kathrine Henriksen
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Try deleting cookies and history, then restart computer, seems to work.
This link may help.
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A Guest in my FHC last Wednesday encountered a similar issue, in which he could not open film images, which he has regularly been viewing for some weeks. However, with my login I was able to view them. I understand from this instance, that there may be a fluctuation in applied licencing for the particular set of images.
An error message appeared for him saying the images could only be seen in a Family History Centre, which is an irony of our circumstances of being in a Centre. I am hoping that perhaps there have been a number of server updates and changes, which have temporarily produced this error and my visit to my Centre next week will see normal access for my Guest.
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It is important to note now, when configuring Tabs to open automatically in Chrome and Firefox, for the Portal Page, that the URLs for these are as follows:
Chrome: https://www.familysearch.org/fhcenters/portal
FireFox: https://www.familysearch.org/fhcenters/premium-sites
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Thanks all. The issue was at a Family History Center on one of their computers (which I tried after my laptop couldn't access the file onsite either.) I had the same issue with the same file at an affiliate site a few days earlier.
I'm going to try again next week. Fingers crossed!
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I am not connected with FamilySearch.
I am not a LDS church member. The restriction message I get for film 31011 is "To view these images do one of the following:Access the site at a family history center". On that basis, there would be no access at an affiliate library . Do you get a different message?
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Donna
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I happen to be a Member of the Church ... ]
[ Plus, I have been a Staff Member, of Family History Centres", of the Church, for many Years ... ]
Just in passing ...
As an aside ...
Please be, aware; and, advised, that ...
Users/Patrons, who are using their OWN "Laptop" Computers (and/or, "Mobile" Devices), in a "Family History Centre", of the Church, will NOT get access, on their "Laptop" Computers (and/or, "Mobile" Devices), to the "Premium Websites", in the "FHC Portal".
The access, to the "Premium Websites", in the "FHC Portal", is ONLY available, through the ("Designated") Computers, in a "Family History Centre", that are connected, though a Cable; and, configured specifically, for that purpose.
[ Of course, provided, that the Computers, in the "Family History Centre", are correctly setup/configured ... ]
[ Due to the SIGNIFICANT "Change", in the "FHC Portal", that is another matter ... ]
Just my thoughts.
I hope, that this may help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
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I'll try that, but I was more concerned that the locked files, which should open at an FHL center or affiliate, did not, even though I was onsite.
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You certainly can access the Portal on your own computer as long as you add the Portal extension to Chrome
@Donna Brock_1 Previously, on 20 March 2022, it has been said by Ken Richins - NAO Tech Support Lead that "The current policy is that the Chrome Extension is ONLY licensed for use on Family History Center Computers".
from FAMILY HISTORY CENTERS TECHNICAL SUPPORT (NORTH AMERICA)
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Patrons are not allowed to connect any device directly to the FHC internet. They may use the WI-FI but that will not give them access to the Portal which means no Premium Web Sites or restricted records.
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