Is there a reason why many records cannot be seen online?
Dear Sir / Madam I am a user of the FamilySearch portal. In the last few months I could not and still cannot access many records that was previously available.For example, a catalogue search on https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/koha:1162069 leaves me without any way that I can see the records, previously marked with a camera on the right hand side of the page. Due to licence restrictions? I doubt it. For about 3 and a half years I could find the records and use it for my genealogy research but not anymore. Some message about visiting my nearest FamilySearch Centre... Impossible from South Africa. We are grateful to use these records, precisely sourced and with proper citations to build the history of our forefathers. Please look into this, as we get frustrated to not be able to see the images. In some cases the normal FamilySearch (Search records) brings one to the indexed information, but the image is not available. Not only for the younger records (which I can still understand due to confidentiality reasons) but also older records of people long dead.
Another example: I transcribed this record on 5 March 2022. Now the image is unavailable. "South Africa, Estate files, Transvaal, South Africa, estates no. 6708 - 6746 1953" database with digital images by FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91Q-F9D7-S?i=909&cat=1162069 :5 March 2022) Probate of Helena Dorothea Vermeulen 1953, Film # 007736006, image 910 of 7484.
Hopefully this situation can be corrected. Regards, P van Zyl.
Answers
-
@PietVan Zyl Hello, I'm not part of FS staff; only a volunteer so I looked at the URL's you listed from my home in USA today. For Helena Dorothea Vermeulen GDKG-W28, I received the same restriction message as you. For the Catalogue URL, I read the Notes and the About this Record information and I conclude this particular record for GDKG-W28 is now restricted by changes in copyright laws since 2022, why I don't know. I also checked WorldCat to find "Estate files (blacks), Transvaal (South Africa), 1931-1982
Author:Transvaal (South Africa). Master of the Supreme Court (Composer)" available at only the Salt Lake and Midvale Family Search centers (over 600km for me) so I suggest you contact the Salt Lake Center at phone 801-240-6996 on Utah time open until 6pm today (Mondays on Tues-Fri open to 8pm)where you can make an online appointment for genealogical help. Best Wishes, Mary0 -
@PietVan Zyl Hello again, I just saw another post from @sc woz that says Yes, the microfilm in the Granite Vault cannot be accessed. All of the contents of the Vault have been digitized for future access.
0 -
@PietVan Zyl I know there have been recent updates to the South Africa Estate Files, with records dated after 1950 now being restricted. Please know that these decisions are not made lightly, but that privacy and rights of individuals and organizations are a high priority.
0
