Family History Centers closed in Ontario, Canada?

Aggie6

I live in Ontario, Canada. All Family History Center's in my vicinity are closed for over 2 years (calls and e-mails not being answered as recently as today, although all public libraries are fully open) and I can't afford to travel to Utah. Any idea when do they reopen? I have one Affiliate Library (opened and easily accessible) near by. Unfortunately, films not online are not viewable there. Is there any option/solution to view restricted films there?

Glen Tupling

The Family History Center in London, ON is open. Hours are: Wed 10:00-1:00 Thurs 10:00-1:00 and 7:00-9:00pm

MaureenE123

I am not connected with FamilySearch. Many, but not all, restricted films are viewable at Affiliate Libraries.

If you post the microfilm number of the films you are interested in, it could be confirmed whether they are viewable at an Affiliate Library or not. Sometimes there may be alternative websites, usually pay websites, they could be viewed on.

Aggie6

Thank you kindly for your response.

I can only view the films with the camera icon with the key above it at my Affiliate Library. All others (with reel wheel) can not be viewed. I just tried yesterday. The films are many, I constantly run into restricted ones (most of them are in Slovakia, mostly the Eastern part), for example film #17339901, 1739661,1739662, 1791915, 1791916, 1792644, etc. I tried the Advanced Image Search (at the Affiliated Library) making sure I entered only DGS numbers and nothing else, only to get the message "No results found". Clicking on the alternative websites listed on FamilySearch (WorldCat) does not yield any feasible results (suggests to go to Utah or archives in Slovakia). I have been waiting for over 2 years for Family History Center to reopen here in Toronto, but there are no updates on webpage when would they reopen.

MaureenE123

I could not get any results for 17339901. Is this the correct number, I notice it has 8 numbers, while the following microfilms have 7 numbers.

For  1739661, catalog entry is https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bfilm_number%3A1739661

Items 1-2, 6 shows a restricted camera icon - message is "This image is unavailable for online viewing at this time" This result varied between this message and and a microfilm icon

Items 3-5 shows a microfilm icon- not available digitally

1739662 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/619177 microfilm icon- not available digitally

1791915 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/653942 microfilm icon- not available digitally

 1791916 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bfilm_number%3A1791916

Items 1-4 microfilm icon- not available digitally, similarly other items microfilm icon- not available digitally

1792644 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bfilm_number%3A1792644

items microfilm icon- not available digitally

Unless there are future changes you are not going to be able to view these images at any Family History Centers, or at any Affiliate Libraries. In the FamilySearch context, these are only viewable on microfilms, which probably means only at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

Perhaps someone who is more familiar with these records would know whether they would be available on any other websites.

Perhaps you could enquire whether the FamilySearch Look up Service would be able to help

https://www.familysearch.org/en/family-history-library/record-lookup-service

Aggie6

Hi, sorry, the first film# is 1739901 (7 digits). All restricted films are digitized (they all have corresponding DGS #s). I did contact FamilySearch Help desk about restricted films (2 years ago) and I was told, that these restricted films should be viewable in Family History Centers, not Affiliate Libraries. Unfortunately, I can not test it, if those 3 Centers near me remain closed. I did use the FS Look up service and they were great to look up one ancestor and sending me one or 2 pages from restricted film. However, it does not suffice to build up the generations from restricted films. I guess, my question would be: when does the FamilySearch plan to open those FHCenters in Ontario, as all COVID restrictions were lifted here (all public libraries, restaurants, concerts, meetings, etc. ) and things are pretty much back to normal now?

Áine Ní Donnghaile

@Aggie6 The open status of Family History Centers is up to each individual stake. My local (US) is also still closed after more than 2 years.

It's not a system-wide decision but up to officials in each location.

Aggie6

Oh, that's a great news, Glen! London, On is about 2 hours drive, but I am willing to make the trip. Thank you all for the input, I really appreciate it.

Áine Ní Donnghaile