Please unlock the microfilms

LegacyUser

Anne Field said: I am finding more and more microfilms locked when I go to do research at familysearch.org. I know that some of these were accessible in times past. Right now, especially, when we cannot get to the Family History Library or even a branch library, all we are left with is a transcription which is not as good as seeing the original document. Wishing you would not lock up so many of the microfilms.

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: See: https://getsatisfaction.com/familysea... There has been a change in recent weeks that can mislead users into thinking that films are locked when they are not.

Restrictions on films are due to contracts between FS and the record "custodians". Some custodians are the actual owners of records, for example libraries and archives. If they request that the film be restricted (usually so that you have to pay them to view the images), then FS must obey this. However in some cases, the "custodians" are other genealogical companies such as Ancestry.com. FS has agreed with them to restrict access to some records, in exchange for Latter Day Saints getting free subscriptions.

If a "locked" film looks wrong, for example all the films in the same collection are unrestricted except for one, then mention the details here and FS Staff may be able to investigate.

If a "locked" film is intentional, then FS will never discuss with users the precise details. The only way to find out is to make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the owner, provided the owner is a government agency.