How are people getting access to records that can only be viewed at an FHC if the one in their area
Answers
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The access restrictions continue to be in place despite the pandemic. The alternatives are:
- Use FHC Wi-Fi in the carpark, if that is possible (email FHC staff before going)
- Find the records on another website
- Use the FHL Online consultation service (https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Virtual_Research_Strategy_Sessions)
- Ask someone who lives in a less affected country to go to their FHC or Affiliate Library. You are most welcome to send me a message through this forum with images you would like copies of, and I'll try and get the images for you within a fortnight. But please note I have access only to Affiliate Libraries, not FHCs.
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@A van Helsdingen @Donna Newman1
We are not allowed to share the images by way of printing, emailing, or any other form. The information, such as names or dates from the document, can be shared. It is all a part of the contracts with the record holders. We’ll all have to wait a while longer. Hang in there!
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The FS terms of use specifically say that Professional genealogists can use FHCs and share documents they find with their clients:
Professional genealogists may use this site or family history center resources to research information for and provide documents to a client for the client’s personal, noncommercial use. However, professional genealogists may not solicit or arrange business, promote themselves, or receive payments on this site or other Church property.
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@Donna Newman1
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Donna
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Short Answer: They are NOT getting access ...
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And, 'No', you are not alone ...
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Please be aware ...
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'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church) has, obtained copies of; and, later, Filming, many "Records", from ALL around the World.
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Oversimplified ...
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Sometimes, those "Records" can be, both, "Indexed" by the Church, with that index being able to be placed on-line in 'Familysearch'; and, the "Images" of those "Records" to also to be placed on-line in 'Familysearch'.
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Sometimes, those "Records" can be "Indexed" by the Church, with that index being able to be placed on-line in 'Familysearch'; but, the "Images" of those "Records" CANNOT be places on-line in 'Familysearch'.
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Sometimes, those "Records" can, NEITHER, be "Indexed" by the Church (therefore, no index is available on-line in 'Familysearch'); and, the "Images" of those "Records" can certainly NOT be placed on-line in 'Familysearch'.
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The actual situation is much more complex.
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Firstly ...
We are lucky and must be thankful that that 'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church) has been, obtaining copies of; or, later, Filming, with permission/authority, the "Records" from ALL around the World.
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Secondly ...
We are also lucky and must be thankful that 'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church) has and is able to put as much of what it can of the the "Records" from ALL around the World, on-line.
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Thirdly ...
We have to accept the many and various "Restrictions" of the Record "Custodians".
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And, as such, there are MANY Contractual Arrangements/Agreements that 'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church) must enter into, with the various Record "Custodians", just to get access to the "Records", let alone make those records available - we have to be thankful that 'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church) DOES take the time and effort to enter into such Contractual Arrangements/Agreements.
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'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church) tries very hard to make as much as it can, FREELY available, to ALL; but, unfortunately, it is not possible for everything to be freely available, to all.
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Despite, the TEMPORARY "Closure" of the "Family History Centres" of the Church, from around the World (or, an "Affiliate" Libraries, from around the Word), due to the "COVID-19" Pandemic, due to the MANY Contractual Arrangements/Agreements, with the various Record "Custodians", 'FamilySearch' (ie. the Church), CANNOT just make everything available to all - that is NOT the way the World works, it certainly would be nice if it did.
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Some "Family History Centres" of the Church, from around the World (or, an "Affiliate" Libraries, from around the Word) have "Re-Opened".
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Whereas, many "Family History Centres" of the Church, from around the World (or, an "Affiliate" Libraries, from around the Word) are still TEMPORARY "Closed".
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For those around the World where the "Family History Centres" of the Church, from around the World (or, an "Affiliate" Libraries, from around the Word) are still TEMPORARY "Closed", it is unfortunate; but, they will just have to wait until such "Re-Open".
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Just to put things into perspective ...
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Here is a post in the (OLD) 'FamilySearch' ("GetSatisfaction") 'Feedback' Forum, over 10 Months ago, by 'FamilySearch', on this matter, that anyone can access ...
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Requests for access to records during temporary closings
https://community.familysearch.org/s/idea/0874V000000siRwQAI/detail
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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 the whole "Image", of the page/screen, with the "Banner" at the TOP, of the "Search/Records" in 'FamilySearch', that you posted:
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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
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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.
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I just hope that this gives you some perspective; as to why, we CANNOT access/view "Restricted" Records at "Home".
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Brett
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@Donna Newman1
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Donna
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Further to what has already been proffered ...
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As the "Family History Library" (FHL) of the Church, in "Temple Square" in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA is still currently TEMPORALITY "Closed" (to the Public) due to the "COVID-19" Pandemic ...
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And ...
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IF, the "Family History Centres" of the Church (or, "Affiliate" Libraries) nearest you are still TEMPORARILY "Closed" due to the "COVID-19" Pandemic ...
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THEN, can I humbly suggest that you consider trying the following ...
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You could try, one of WHAT used to be CALLED, the FREE 'On-Line' Consultations through the "Family History Library" (FHL) of the Church in, "Temple Square", Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
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But ...
That said ...
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Are NOW called ... ( Genealogical ) Virtual Research Strategy Sessions
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Here is some links were you can access/book one of those Consultations ...
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Engage with the Family History Library Online
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Engage_with_the_Family_History_Library_Online
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Family History Library Online Consultations
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library_Online_Consultations
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I have seen/heard some good positive 'Feedback' from those who have used the service.
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But ...
That said ...
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Please be aware that you CANNOT be provided with a actual "Image" of that Record; but, you may be able to get (or, confirm) the information/details/data that you desire.
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'FamilySearch' may also be able to suggest where you can get a copy of the Record, other than through 'FamilySearch'; but, also at some expense, directly from the Record "Custodian"; or, through an external "Commercial" Website (eg. "Ancestry_com"; "MyHeritage_com"; ETC; Etc; etc ... ).
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Nothing ventured, nothing gained ...
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Good Luck.
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I hope this helps.
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Brett
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ps:
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And, here is a 'FamilySearch' "Blog" Article on the FREE 'On-Line' Consultations through the FHC ...
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https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/free-online-consultation/
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A van Helsdingen mentioned, accessing the FHC's WiFi from the parking lot. I haven't been able to reach anyone at my local FHC to see whether people are able to do that in this area.
I did not mean to imply that I'm not grateful for the records the FHL has collected or thought they should change how they handle restricted records. I access the digital images available through Historical Collections and the Catalog pretty much daily and just wondered how others were managing when they need access to these restricted records.
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@Donna Newman1
Donna
I was not even thinking that you were not grateful.
I totally understand, your 'Questions', they are what many are asking.
I am one of the lucky ones ...
My Local "Family History Centre" (ie. 'Downunder') re-opened many Months ago.
With the authority of the Church; and, approval of our local leaders.
We were open and operating as we did BEFORE the Temporary "Closure".
But ...
That said ...
The FHC (NOW) operates under STRICT "Health and Safety" Guidelines ...
As, laid down/mandated by the State Government (Health Dept), in my Country.
Being a Staff Member at our FHC, ...
We can help; but, ...
NOT provide Copies for "Restricted" Records, for those NOT in attendance.
Brett
ps: We are travelling INTERSTATE at the moment, for an extended period, visiting Family and friends, that we had not seen for x12 Months, due to State, Border, "Closures", some of which are still in place.
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