Where the films in the Catalogue are indicated with a key over the camera and a note that those film

Pam Cerff

Where the films in the Catalogue are indicated with a key over the camera and a note that those films can only be viewed in a Family History Centre, is there any way of obtaining access to them while we in South Africa are in lockdown?
Pam

Brett .

@Pam Cerff​ 

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Short Answer: 'No', unfortunately not.

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And, it does no matter where you are in the World at the moment, the "Family History Centres" of the Church are still TEMPORARILY "Closed" due to the "COVID-19" Pandemic.

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There has been no advice/direction from the Leaders of the Church as to when they will be open again.

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I have been in contact with my Local Leaders; and, there is not information as to when the "Family History Centres" of the Church will be able to open again.

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Here is an explanation as to why such "Restrictions" cannot be lifted ...

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Here is a post in the "FamilySearch" ("GetSatisfaction") 'Feedback' Forum, of 3 Months ago, by "FamilySearch", on this matter, that anyone can access ...

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Requests for access to records during temporary closings

https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/requests-for-access-to-records-during-temporary-closings 

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Quote:

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Thank you for your inquiry and suggestion. We have had several requests in this regard as a result of the temporary closing of our Family History Library and family history centers due to COVID-19 precautions. Due to contractual obligations, we unfortunately cannot offer expanded external access to records restricted to family history centers and affiliate libraries. We apologize for this inconvenience.

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In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the vast record collections that are available on FamilySearch. Millions of new indexed records and images are added weekly. And if you haven’t used our new Explore Historical Images tools, you might be surprised at the potential discoveries you can make in our growing unindexed image collections.

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We appreciate your patience, loyalty, and support,

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FamilySearch Support

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And, here is an Image of the "Banner" at the TOP of the "Search/Records" in "FamilySearch":

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And, here is a "Knowledge Article" in "FamilySearch" on the matter:

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Access to restricted records during COVID-19 outbreak

https://www.familysearch.org/help/salesforce/viewArticle?urlname=Expanded-access-to-records-restricted-to-centers-and-libraries-due-to-COVID-19&lang=en

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Quote:

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Information

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We have had several requests to remove record access restrictions as a result of the temporary closing of our Family History Library and family history centers due to COVID-19 precautions. Due to contractual obligations, we unfortunately cannot offer expanded external access to records restricted to family history centers and affiliate libraries. We apologize for this inconvenience.

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In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the vast record collections that are available on FamilySearch. Millions of new indexed records and images are added weekly. And if you haven’t used our new Explore Historical Images tools, you might be surprised at the potential discoveries you can make in our growing unindexed image collections.

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We appreciate your patience, loyalty, and support.

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I know that this does not help; but, I hope it puts things in perspective ...

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Brett

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A van Helsdingen

FamilySearch would need to negotiate with the record owner to allow access from computers not at a FHC. Some other genealogical companies were able negotiate temporary relaxations of restrictions and subscription fees, but FS has not announced that it has been successful at doing this yet. The fact that their employees cannot come to work may make this impossible.

 

Usually, FHC-only restrictions on records mean the records are available elsewhere for a fee. Until the FHCs reopen, you will need to use those alternative websites (if they exist).