Access during covid-19 'shelter in place' lock downs

LegacyUser

Rebecca Hudnall said: During these troubling times would it be possible to change the requirement that non-LDS researchers must be signed in at a family history library or center in order to access certain microfilms online? At least on a temporary basis, until the virus lock downs are over, could access to those blocked films be given to non-LDS researchers from home? It would be such a blessing to be able to continue one's research.

LegacyUser

Don M Thomas said:
https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea...

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: This question has been asked frequently in recent days.

I speak as a non-LDS who has been vocal about my opinion that differentiating between LDS and non-LDS on the basis of religion for accessing genealogical records is wrong and illegal. All the affiliate libraries and FHCs in my city are now closed for at least two weeks.

All restrictions are due to contracts between FS and the record custodian. To change the restrictions on access for non-LDS, FS would need to negotiate a new temporary contract. This may be feasible for a few large record sets- e.g. UK censuses (the 1841-1881 censuses are FHC/Affiliate Library only for non-LDS), but would take years of work to include very minor record sets. And this at a time when record custodians- the archives, libraries, museums etc that own the records have more pressing issues.

FS has not indicated that any contracts include provisions for relaxing access in times of crisis like this. Maybe it is something they could consider for the future.

Unless this situation continues for many weeks or even months, the chance of access restrictions being relaxed is zero.

See the official response from FS here: https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea...

LegacyUser

David Newton said: Make no mistake: this situation WILL continue for many months. Until and unless an effective treatment is found, a vaccine is produced or herd immunity comes this will continue.

LegacyUser

FamilySearch Moderator said: 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.

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.

We appreciate your patience, loyalty, and support, 

FamilySearch Support

LegacyUser

Paul said: Of course, Find My Past and Ancestry COULD take the necessary action themselves. But why should commercial sites wish to make access free, even for a temporary period? Besides, this could cause resentment on the part of existing subscribers, who have paid out for access to these records, only to find others were being offered the same access for free.

As suggested previously, with the money saved from not having to fork out for travel and other expenses, we can always pay for a subscription to at least one website if we are that desperate for continued access to this material.

As pointed out elsewhere, many records are not even available for viewing at a FHC, if your research relates to certain areas of the country / world.

LegacyUser

walt zurek said: They should make these records available to the thousands of researchers who have been avid followers of family search. Please tear down that virtual WALL!

LegacyUser

Juli said: If you read what was written three weeks ago, you'd know that they'd love to, but they can't.

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: The records you want to see might be on another website, but there's a good chance you'll have to pay a subscription fee. I suggest looking at the FS Wiki to see on what other websites the records you want are available.