Date of microfilming the archives in Poland

Bartłomiej550

Hello,
I recently contacted FS support and was advised to ask here on the forum.
I would like to know if anyone can find or confirm the dates when microfilms were made of the parish records from Szynwald, Poland. Over the past few years, I have worked with the original books while researching my ancestors. The parish has records going back to 1599.
However, there is one issue: a baptism book covering the years 1700–1753 is missing. This is a significant gap because it would help connect earlier generations of my family. I am trying to determine whether this book was lost or destroyed at some point. I spoke with a former parish priest, who said that all the books were still in place around 1990. There is no trace of this book in FS records, so I assume it was never microfilmed. I know the publication date, but does anyone know when exactly microfilming was carried out in Poland?
Also, what do I need to do to view microfilms when searching records on FS? Is a different account or access required?
Finally, if I find an error in a record, what is the best and quickest way to have it corrected?

Áine.ní.Donnghaile

On most microfilms, you will find a Title Board with the date of filming. I just looked at a few random "Poland" record sets, and they were all very recent - digital only, without a microfilm number. For example: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/olib:2842682

The "Publication Date" for that series is 2013 - when it was made available online. More recent accessions have been put online very quickly, so the 2013 date is probably close to the date when the records were imaged.
To illustrate what I mean about the Title Board for microfilms, this record set of Death Certificates from the US state of Georgia is listed under the digital DGS 8624121, and it was filmed in 2002, as Microfilm 2317333: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/film/008624121?cat=koha%3A1109069&i=0

All microfilm has now been digitized, but not all records can be viewed from home. Depending on the contract between FamilySearch and the record holder, the images may be restricted and viewable only at an Affiliate Library, a FamilySearch Center, or only in Salt Lake City, at the main FamilySearch Library. And, some may not be accessible.

You'll find icons that indicate the access level. Generally, hovering over the icon will reveal an explanation of the access level.

Depending on the type of error you encounter, this is probably the best place to report it.

Hope this helps.

sc woz

@Bartłomiej550

Almost all microfilm have been digitized. When films are not yet available online, you can search the physical microfilms or microfiche at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Film ordering stopped for all FamilySearch centers in 2017. You can continue to view films at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The supply of microfilm at the FamilySearch Library is rapidly diminishing. Therefore, we removed the ability to request microfilms from the digital archives for use in the FamilySearch Library.

We are currently working on alternate methods of access for microfilmed records that cannot be released to the public online. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we develop these alternative options.

Bartłomiej550

Thank you for the replies

I have found that catalogue and the date of publishing is 1996 so round 20 years ago.

https://libcat.familysearch.org/Record/816410?searchId=46711031&recordIndex=1&page=1&referred=resultIndex

It seems, then, that the missing book had already been lost by that time. That is truly unfortunate, as the Szynwałd parish is one of the few with records dating back almost to the 16th century. A fifty-year gap is impossible to bridge when trying to reconstruct a complete family tree.
It is also a pity that these microfilms are not directly accessible and can only be viewed at a FamilySearch centers or in Salt Lake City.

Nevertheless FS was extremely helpful in building my acestors history.

I marked many records with mistakes so I will try on this forum to correct those because sometimes there are confusing.

Thanks again for the help

Áine.ní.Donnghaile

@Bartłomiej550 I visit my FamilySearch Center most weeks. If there is something specific I can help you find, I'll be happy to try to help.

SerraNola

@Bartłomiej550

The records for Szynwałd are found on digital films 4665702 and 4665703. At present, these films are not available at FamilySearch Centers and only the microfilm can be viewed at the Salt Lake Library.

The restrictions are due to the following reasons:

• Film #4665702 includes a baptism index with dates reaching up to 1938.
• Film #4665703 contains parish records from Radłów through 1948.

These access limitations may change in the future as the films are subdivided and individual items receive separate permissions. I apologize for the current unavailability.

I also recognize the absence of records between 1700 and 1753. The location of this gap within the microfilm indicates that, if the original book existed, its condition may have been too delicate to allow for filming.

Áine.ní.Donnghaile

Thanks for the details, @SerraNola. Since they are restricted, I couldn't dig those out.