Hi. I would like to ask fundamental questions. I am old now but have been researching for decades, h
account with Ancestrydotcom but I don't consider this serious genealogical research; I am computer able. I would like to return to research reading the original records:
1) Is this still possible at the FHLs with microfilm being rented?
2) Will the records be digitised so I can read them at home?
Thanks AC
Answers
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So I'm not the most qualified person, but I do think that I have an answer.
Having worked at the Family History Library, I don't recall microfilm having an option to rent. I could be wrong but most of my experience was requesting microfilm to the library. As for your second question, the records are being uploaded as they get digitized. This is an ongoing process and will take quite some time before it is anywhere close to being completed. However, new records are being digitized every day, so if you keep checking, the records you need might show up.
I hope that helps.
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Call it what you will, the Family History Library is no longer sending out microfilm and microfiche to local Family History Centers...that changed as of Aug 2017 (see: https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/microfilm-distribution-discontinued-august-31-2017/)
That said, the difference is that FamilySearch is putting heavy effort into digitizing and indexing the records that they already have, as well as straight digitizing of new records. A large portion of the microfilmed records that FamilySearch has held are already available online in digital format. They are not all indexed, however, so you should look for the locality in the Catalog and see what is available. There are icons under format:
- Magnifying glass means that at least part of that record set is indexed and searchable
- Camera with key means that there are digital images, but you need to be at a particular place in order to see them (mostly local Family History Centers, but some are restricted to the Family History Library.)
- Camera means there are digital images and they are accessible to you. Click on the camera to go to the images.
- Microfilm means that the records are available in microfilm, (but no longer can be requested out to FHCs, although some may still be available at your local center.)
Ancestry.com is a great resource. The paid version does the same things FamilySearch is doing in bringing digital images of original records online so that researchers can view the records in the comfort of their own homes. The trees, as is true with any family tree from any source, are only as correct as the research put into them. Some of the images that Ancestry shows are courtesy of FamilySearch's digitization efforts and some of the images that FamilySearch shows are courtesy of Ancestry.com's digitization efforts.
So, keep doing your research the same way you have been, just scroll through the online digital images of the records instead of heading over to the Family History Center and scrolling through rolls of microfilm.
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Thank you for your prompt replies. I found all the original Order Cards...they're from 1992. I tried to find them on FamilySearch; said 'no longer available'. If all else fails would microfilm be available in the FHL at Salt Lake City? The way I had to do it was very involved; I had to print a copy then transliterate and translate from German and Latin.
AC
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Both Ancestry.com and familysearch.org - do BOTH have databases that contain primary source material (digital images of census records, probate records, bible records, military records - - whatever other type of quality records you can think of.)
To make the blanket statement "that ancestry.com is not serious research" is an unfair statement (because it is not qualified by what type of record you are referring to)
if you are referring to user's submitted family trees which are often not backed up by serious research - well then I agree with you - but there are TONS of primary source documents of serious research in BOTH Ancestry and FamilySearch - - you just need to understand how to differentiate between the different types of records - and whether it is some secondary unreliable source - or a primary source that is much more reliable.
Many of the material that you USED to get on microfilm - you can get to now with a few clicks of the button on FamilySearch and Ancestry. and most of us are generally quite happy we dont have to go through the tedious, laborious, process of microfilm!!!!! - after waiting weeks to even get it via the mail.
The question is not "Where is the microfilm?". The question should be - all the items that you used to look at 30 years ago on microfilm - "Where are they now in digital format??"
THAT is your real question.
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Wow! 1992 and you still have the original order cards! that is impressive. Welcome back, to the world of Genealogy Research! It has changed a lot while you were away. FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and several other sites have work very hard in your absence digitizing and putting images up of original records online as mentioned above.
Unfortunately, it is also true microfilms are no longer rented they have focused on digitizing, but many are still accessible at the Family History Library when it is open. Right now, due to the covid-19 though it is closed till further notice.
Here are some links that maybe helpful as you jump back in:
https://www.thefhguide.com/get-started.html
https://www.familysearch.org/ask/landing?show=lessons&search=getting%20started
https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/find-your-family/
Hope this help you!
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Within FamiySearch - it is critical to understand - where to look for primary source type records and where you will find uploaded data names/dates/relationships of uploaded/input family trees. (same is true of any genealogy service like Ancestry and others)
I have attached a screen clip that shows high level areas of
FAMILY TREE, SEARCH, MEMORIES (within FamilySearch)
Family Tree is where you go to see family data that has been input by users of the system
Search [Historical Records] is where you search for various primary records, (census, probate, birth/death records, marriage records etc,)
Memories is where you can see photos, documents, audio and more that people have uploaded.
Much of what you used to look at on microfilm - is NOW under the SEARCH tab.
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microfilms were rented to the Family History Centers across the world - based on a patron request
the patron had to pay a nominal fee - and the film would be kept at the family history center for a period of time for the patrons use.
this was true up to like 2 years ago.
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I'm guessing, by the references to German and Latin, that you were looking for German church records?
If you don't know already, the FS Catalog has every record that FS has either on microfilm or digitized. You can search by film number or place https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog
However, some microfilms may have been removed from FS's holdings since 1992. This is because FS needs permission from the owner of records to microfilm or digitize their records. That permission is sometimes withdrawn, in which case FS is obliged to destroy the microfilms or digital copies.
Many of the German church records have restricted access. You may need to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or be at a FHC or Affiliate Library (all are currently closed due to the pandemic) to view the records.
A good site for Protestant records is Archion. It is a subscription site. https://www.archion.de/
A good site for Catholic records is Matricula, which is free. http://matricula-online.eu/
Feel free to mention the type and place of records you are interested in, as people on this forum may have specific experience and knowledge with those records and be able to help you.
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Im interested in Family Bibles . . .
I am the admin for:
https://community.familysearch.org/s/group/0F93A0000009XyzSAE/family-bibles
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I had to save the cards so I could cite the Microform #s on my Ahnentafel. I started when I was a young; I had to travel to courthouses and churches to read original documents.
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so arent you glad you can now see all (most) of these same documents just sitting at your computer??
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Ancestrydotcom DNA has been of GREAT benefit to my research but I have found some of the Trees to be preposterous; put together by people with no understanding of historical, social or geographic context. Also, the indexing is very poor---I spend a lot of time submitting corrections.
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just like any other system - garbage in and garbage out
each person's tree data needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
same can be true of just about any genealogical database where people can upload their tree data.
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but again - we have to differentiate between primary historical record data
and just unconfirmed tree data that people have uploaded.
those are two completely disjoint and different things -
and its unfair to judge a system as a whole - when your experience has been with only one small part of the system - that isnt even based on primary records. .
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Thank you. It might be the case the RC records are no longer available; Thank God I printed out so many 30 years ago. What I am looking for immediately is katholisch records for Neusatz bei Buehl, Baden-Wurtemmberg. Eventually I will need evangelisch for Schilltach near Alpirbach; Altforweiler in Saarland and Berviller in Moselle.....and more.
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Here are the Neusatz Catholic records in the FS Catalog: https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/289578?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Here's Shiltach: https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/180980?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Each of them I was able to find very quickly by searching for the place name in the Catalog.
You should also have a look at Archion and Matricula as well.
Both of the records above have restrictions on them, which unless you're a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints makes them impossible to access until the pandemic is over. That is why Archion, Matricula and other websites are important at the moment.
Finally, see also the FS Wiki's page Germany Church Records for a table showing which dioceses/regions have their records online and on which sites.
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