HIstorical Records

LegacyUser

ATP said: What is the reasoning behind having to create an account to search FS Historical Records? Since using FS is free, why create an account? What am I missing?

Just curious...

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: From what I have heard, the reason that FS requires all users to have an account and be signed in is to collect statistics of how many people are using the website and what records they are viewing. Some partners of FS and record custodians want or insist on this data.

LegacyUser

Jeff Wiseman said: I don't know where you heard that from, but it is rather interesting.

to collect statistics of how many people are using the website and what records they are viewing

So this would mean that partners could see how many non-members were actually viewing the records that those partners allow the church to provide access to on its website.

I sure hope that type of data doesn't change any contracts in the negative direction :-()

LegacyUser

Brett said: ATP

'Phew' ... that took long enough ...

I knew that I had read the reason WHY, some time ago; but, It has taken me a few days (because it was raised in previous post) to find what I had seen ...

It confirms, as referenced by 'A van Helsdingen' in her previous response ...

From the FamilySearch 'Blog'
Dated: 16 November 2017

FamilySearch Free Sign-in Offers Greater Subscriber Experiences and Benefits

https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/familysearch-signin-benefits/

https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/...

Quote:
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... In order to accommodate continued growth of these and future free services, FamilySearch must assure all its partners that its content is offered in a safe and secure online environment. Patrons creating a free account and signing in fulfills that need.

Patron sign in will also enable FamilySearch to satisfy the ongoing need for user authentication. This authentication can deliver rich, personalized discovery, collaboration, and help experiences. Simply put, signed-in visitors can access more searchable content and enjoy more personalized services.
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Also:

https://media.familysearch.org/familysearch-free-sign-in-offers-greater-subscriber-experiences-and-benefits/

https://media.familysearch.org/family...

Quote:
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

6. Why do users need to log in to perform searches or to create a family tree?

FamilySearch wants to provide you more access to records and a rich, personalized experience with more successful discoveries. By signing in, you allow the FamilySearch system to customize and deliver its best services to you.

7. How will my contact information be used?

• Your information is used in the FamilySearch system to facilitate collaboration between users (you control how much information is shared).

• The Family Tree and Memories features display your username and any other contact information you approve when using select features.

• Your information allows you to send in-system messages to other users without revealing your personal identity or email address.

• FamilySearch will send you email and newsletters to keep you informed. You can specify how much email, if any, you receive.

• Your contact information is accessed when you contact the support group for help.

8. Is there anything I can do without signing in?

Absolutely. There are still a number of things you can do on FamilySearch without signing in. You can search the catalog, digitized books, genealogies, the Wiki, and the learning center. You can also view user-contributed photos and stories.
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I hope this helps.

Brett

ps: Now I can 'put that to bed' ... it was just bugging me, I knew I had seen something.

.

LegacyUser

Tom Huber said: I doubt that it would, especially since restricted access at home is usually, but not always, available through a FHC. This includes free access to pay sites, also through a FHC (all the FamilyHistory physical facilities, including the big library in Salt Lake and meetinghouse Family History Centers) are temporarily closed due to the pandemic.

On the contract front, any negative changes usually occur when a change of administration at the original records takes place. That happened in Illinois. When the legislature passed the state's freedom of information act, it helped -- some.

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: When I spoke with senior FS staff about a year ago concerning issues of restricted access to records, they said something about record custodians insisting on everyone having to be signed in so they could see the statistics. But don't quote me on it.

I think it's natural that some record custodians, particularly if their records are also on the pay-to-view website, would be concerned if "too many" people are viewing their records through FS, and would renegotiate tighter restrictions in response.

And while changes of administration may be important for some contracts, changes can certainly occur without changes of administration. One particular record set I am interested in has changed three times over the last eighteen months (at least for non-LDS users) without any changes in administration- the record custodian is FindMyPast. For example, on the thread https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea... it appears (this is only speculation because FS declines to say what is happening) that FS has "reinterpreted" the contracts to mean only FHC access is allowed and not from Affiliate Libraries.

LegacyUser

ATP said: Interesting and enlightening! Your collective responses explain some things I've wondered about. Thanks for your comments!