Search catalog for unlocked online sources

LegacyUser

Brad Hurley said: When searching the catalog for online sources, the results include online sources that are "locked" and can only be viewed at a Family History Center or the Family History Library.

My intent in searching for online sources is to see what is available to me, where I am right now. I'd like a way to be able to filter out all of those locked sources that I can't look at.

LegacyUser

Jacob Reid said: To only show results that you can view from home select the Available online option before performing the search.

LegacyUser

David Newton said: Minor problem with that: records that "available" online are actually often not available. Reason? Single microfilm record set originally but different parts of the film have different availability.

For example:

https://www.familysearch.org/search/c...

This is one entry in the catalogue when it really should be three. Yes all three films are indexed. However only two of them actually have images available online. Consequently it is incorrect to classify this item as "available online" since that implies that all of the images are available online as well as all of the indices being available online.

LegacyUser

Brad Hurley said: Thank you for the reply, Jacob. That is what I have been doing, and the search returns films that have been digitized but that I can't look at because I'm not at a FHC or at the FHL, for example if I do the search:
https://www.familysearch.org/search/c...
and then look at the following page, I am unable to access all these sources:https://www.familysearch.org/search/c...

In David's example, I'll disagree and say that I'm OK with including a catalog item in the search results if there is SOMETHING in it that I can look at from my current location. If parts are locked and parts are unlocked, it makes sense to me to include it in the search results.

LegacyUser

Jacob Reid said: Thanks for the clarification Brad, I will report this feedback to the team over the catalog.

LegacyUser

David Newton said: What I mean is that whilst it's incorrect to say it's available online since that implies the whole lot can be seen. However an indication that SOME of it is online would be absolutely fine.

LegacyUser

MaureenE said: Church members often have access on their home computers to digitised films, but non church members have to view the same films at a Family History Centre, or sometimes at an Affiliate Library. This used to be stated on each film but now non church members only get the message applicable to them

I confirm Brad's post above, that the Online option does not mean that it is available online for you.

Davis is correct with his example of DGS 4292086 which for me shows up as an online result, even though the catalogue says it is only viewable as a microfilm.

LegacyUser

Brad Hurley said: I also wanted to mention that there are times when I do want to see a list of all online sources (the way the search works now). That helps me when planning a visit to the FHL (or an FHC), allowing me to determine in advance what sources I want to look at.

LegacyUser

MaureenE said: If this matter is being looked at by the team, please consider the fact that currently to see any restrictions applying to you about viewing a particular film, you have to click through to the film to actually see what the restriction is, and you have to wait a while for this message to come up until the film images have "displayed", (dummy images showing the word "Photo"). 60 images I think I have counted in the past, before the restriction wording actually appeared.

It would be so much quicker if the viewing restriction could be seen from the catalogue page, without having to click through to the actual film and wait for the dummy images to display.

PS. A typo noticed in my post above of Jan 22, 2020 12:55. Davis should read David.

LegacyUser

Paul said: I find the difficulty is when I am at a Family History Centre (or Affiliate library) and the indication is that there are no restrictions in viewing a particular microfilm. I merrily add lots of images to my Sources sections only discover I cannot view them when I get home.

No, I would like to see what restrictions are in place from wherever (home, affiliate, FHC) I look at the Catalog. I find the current position misleading - how am I to know (unless I check at home) what images can be viewed without any restrictions?

LegacyUser

Adrian Bruce said: That is actually a very good point, Paul. I can imagine setting up lots of stuff at an FHC (or Affiliate), secure in the knowledge that I can add the stuff like occupations at home later by reading the images - only to find.... (I must add I've never experienced this so might be missing details - but I can imagine it given that Paul's described it.)

LegacyUser

MaureenE said: The problem which Paul has described above January 24, 2020 13:13 would be prevented if the Catalog gave details of restrictions on viewing which were constant i.e. remained unchanged whether you were at home, a FHC/ Affiliate Library , whereas the restriction viewing details on the film could vary according to the access at the actual time of viewing.