Why are EWZ Immigration documents newly restricted when they were previously open access?
I am seeking support in accessing EWZ files (Einwandererzentralstelle) (Immigrant Control Office) related to my ancestors on Family Search. I have previously accessed and downloaded these records, and it was incredible to find them! I wanted to return to the same records to look for other connections in the town they came from in Poland, however, while the data set begins loading on the website there is an ‘Image Restricted’ notification that pops up. Here is the linked I am trying to use.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/film/008283601?cat=252070&i=0
Would it be possible to regain access to these records? It would be most helpful in my genealogical research project.
Film # 008283601
Case File Number | Location | Microfilm Number | Image Group Number (DGS) |
|---|---|---|---|
11000-13599 | FamilySearch Library | 1364501 |
Thank you!
Hayley
Answers
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@Hayley1023 - I'm just an ordinary user, but I see from the Catalog that the particular DGS number you show appears to relate to data from 1940/41. Governments across the globe are tightening up on access to personal data, hence the vanishing access that we've seen mentioned in the Community. I absolutely can't confirm this but my best guess would be that 1940/41 data will fall under this heading - usually there is a cut-off year which varies from data type to data type, and from country to country.
To give an example, in the UK, the closure for census data is 100y so, the next English census that will be released is the 1951 in 2052 (thanks to a fire that destroyed our 1931 and the country being otherwise occupied in 1941).
I am concerned that many researchers simply don't appreciate these confidentiality issues, but it would also be nice if FS could somehow brand each closed film with a specific statement to help people understand.
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Thank you, @Adrian Bruce1. I appreciate you taking the time to answer. The images were fully accessible only about 6 months ago so it was a surprise to find they were now restricted.
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@Hayley1023 Although the vast majority of immigrants in these records were born more than 100 years ago, there are many children listed who could still be living. Thus, they have been restricted for privacy concerns in keeping with recent changes in policy.
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