Film access still restricted at family history center

BAPatel

I am trying to access a digitized microfilm at a family history center, but it is still restricted. Out of three microfilm associated with a particular German village's church records, one is restricted and the other two are available in the center. Is this a temporary situation? If it is restricted for contractual reasons, how do I find out where I can access these records?

A van Helsdingen

I note there are Confirmation records from 1974 on this film. That would be recent enough that the entire film must be restricted, perhaps until 2075 if a 100-year restriction applies.

If a film cannot be viewable online in any circumstances (as would be the case if privacy laws apply, privacy laws are not waived because you're at a FHC or Affiliate Library) a microfilm reel instead of a camera/key symbol appears in the right column. It is thus a but confusing that a camera/key symbol appears, which implies that some categories of users can access this film digitally.

AnneLoForteWillson

Yes, it looks like those recent confirmation records are what is locking that film. But do not fret, they are working on a fix for that right now in the Images section. I searched for that film there, but it is not available yet. Keep checking back as they are working through all the films in the catalog and fixing issues like this one! Your records should be available in the Images section long before 2075!

MaureenE123

I am not connected with FamilySearch

You need to look at the catalog entries in the FamilySearch catalog https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog to see if there is any particular difference in the contents of the microfilms

Perhaps the film not available has baptismal records of less than one hundred years ago, or is an item on a microfilm where one of the other (unconnected) items has baptismal records of less than one hundred years ago

You would need to provide the microfilm numbers to get more definite suggestions.

A van Helsdingen

If the Catalog entry has a microfilm symbol beside it, it means the record it not available online anywhere and can only be viewed at Salt Lake City.

If a Catalog entry has a camera/key symbol, clicking on it gives a message explaining how you access the records. There are some records that can be viewed only by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints at FHCs (thus non-members cannot view the records at all). There are also some records with different restrictions in different countries.

AnneLoForteWillson

it is so frustrating when you cannot access the records that you expect have your family's information.

The most likely reason for one out of a set of records not being accessible is that something on that film is too recent (1900s) if you can give us the specific film number we might be able to figure out why that particular film is not accessible.

BAPatel

All, thank you for your comments. To be clear, I am referring to Film #1044998 for the village of Emerkingen with parish records from the 17th and 18th century. At home, familysearch shows 1044998 with a camera & key symbol, same as related films #1044999 & 1045000 for the same village--that's not surprising as, in my experience, German Catholic parish records can only be accessed at a Family History Center. However, when I was visiting the NYC FHC, films #1044999 & 1045000 had the camera symbol and were readily viewable while film #1044998 still had the camera and key symbol. So it was inaccessible digitally even at the FHC and when I clicked on it I only saw messages that images were unavailable for viewing online at this time. None of the films had the microfilm symbol next to them. If #1044998 is not viewable in an FHC, is there anywhere that it can be viewed? I'm not sure what to make of it.

BAPatel

Thanks everyone. In my quick scanning of the dates, I assumed that was simply a typo and the confirmation records ended in 1794 not 1974. Most of these microfilms of German parish records were made in the late 60s and early 70s so I didn't put much stock in any records being recent. If it indeed carries records through 1974, I might be best off contacting a researcher in Germany to locate the original parish book. My ancestors left Emerkingen by 1800 so the recent records aren't my concern.

Thanks again.

Milliati RamalhoRafael1

Dear AnneLoForteWillson

I hope you are doing fine. Your question and replies too are very insightful .

I am looking for old Italian records only available on microfilms, can you take a look at it?

Regarding some Microfilms only available at the Utah Library (edited to General questions) — FamilySearch Community

Surely, I wish I could see them all because they contain my family history, but if I provide a specific film number, can you try to help me to find the images?

I am looking for births registration 1872 - 1891 , also another file with 1871-1878, deaths 1871 - 1891 the microfilm number is 2252112

Thank you in advance !

Orr Rozi

You could try the FamilySearch Library Look Up Service to see if they can provide you with a pdf of the pages relevant to your research?

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