Why can't I view the films with the keys above the camera at an affiliate member library?

Valerie K

I tried to see the film # 813118 for Chrostkowo, Poland. I could not see it at home as it is marked with the key above the camera. I went to an affiliate library as listed on your map (Fruitville Public Library, Sarasota, Florida) and signed in. The messages that appeared when I tried to open the film were :

To view do one of the following: 1. Access the site at a family history center and 2. Access the site at a Familysearch affiliate library.

I was at an affiliate library so why can't I see the film? I have done this previously, however, it was prior to covid.

Thank you

Carol Kirkham Hatch

Family Search does not own the records, the holder, or custodian of the records make the rules, allows them to be displayed, where and how. They make the rules of what can be viewed and who can see them. We are under legal obligation to follow their guidelines. Often the camera with the key over it really means that those records and films are restricted by the custodian and can not be viewed anywhere. So if you went to an affiliate library and got the same message, the custodian is not allowing anyone to view the film. We are sorry that you made a trip in vain. Sometimes you can see them when you get there, and sometimes you can't. We have no way of knowing what the outcome will be, unfortunately. We apologize for the inconvenience. You may be able to find them by going to the original holder and trying to find it there.

This may help you understand what is happening

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/why-are-there-access-restrictions-on-historical-records

A van Helsdingen

If you click on the camera with key, and get a message saying the records are viewable at an affiliate library, then 99.9% of the time in my experience you will be able to view the records there. I must respectfully disagree with the moderator @Carol Kirkham Hatch. If the record custodian does not want anyone to view the records, then what happens is that there is a microfilm reel symbol in the final column.

Your scenario is unusual. But when I tried to access this film from my home in New Zealand, the message I got said I had to go to a FHC, and there was no mention of Affiliate Libraries. So I think there are three possibilities for what is happening, in order of likelihood:

1. The access restriction has recently changed and there were problems and inconsistencies as the change was implemented. This happened to me once before. I notice that these are Catholic records. The Roman Catholic Church has a policy that their records should be removed from FamilySearch. This policy is poorly enforced but some dioceses of the Church do take it seriously.
2. The access restrictions are different in New Zealand and the United States. It would be helpful if another non-LDS user from the USA could try and access the film to confirm what message they get. If this is the case, it means the affiliate library was having problems with their computer systems.
3. FHCs are currently having their computer systems upgraded. It you go to a FHC and try to access records only accessible from a FHC, it will not work. This started on 2 June and could last 90 days. This could be affecting Affiliate Libraries as well, though it shouldn't be.

I am going to an Affiliate Library today, and I'll try to access this film and report back what happens.

There is a new service: https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/family-history-library-records-look-up-service that allows you to request FHL staff in Salt Lake City to lookup records only accessible from FHCs.

Paul W

As pointed out, restrictions can differ not only when trying to view films from an LDS or a public account, but sometimes relate to the part of the world you are in. I can confirm that from the United Kingdom, and logged in through a public account, I am also receiving the message, "To view these images do one of the following: Access the site at a family history center". So, any previous availability to view at an Affiliate library does indeed appear to have been withdrawn - worldwide.

Merleen Gholdston

@Valerie K , The limited access collections and partner websites normally accessible through the Family History Center Portal are currently unavailable for critical maintenance and updates. This is a temporary situation; we would expect that when access is restored FamilySearch will notify the public via the FamilySearch blog.

But you may still be able to receive a digital photocopy of the specific record you are seeking. The Help Center article at the link below describes the  free virtual consultations and free records look-up services that are being provided by Family History Library staff in Salt Lake City: https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/public-access-to-limited-access-collections-in-family-history-centers

We hope you'll find success in your search!

Valerie K

Thank you. I accepted the first answer but your answer is more plausible. I have been using the FHL films for over 30 years and always had to go to a FHL which, in some cases, was over 1-1/2 hours away. The availability at the affiliate centers is refreshing, however, it appears inconsistent. I waited this long, what is another 90 days?..

Mike357

Valerie, I searched for the film, 813118, and did not find the restriction message that you indicated. I see only the option, "To view these images do one of the following:Access the site at a family history center."

It is possible that this restriction, that is generally imposed by the record custodian or owner, may have changed recently due to contractual review or renegotiation.

A van Helsdingen is correct (above) that, if FamilySearch is completely restricted from publishing a digitized record (ie., it can't be seen from any location, etc), no camera icon would appear in the Format column but, rather, you would see only the microfilm reel icon.

In that you have tried unsuccessfully to view the digitized film at an Affiliate Library, it appears that the restriction, as it now appears, is being imposed.

A van Helsdingen

I can now confirm that the images are not viewable from the Affiliate Library am I currently at in New Zealand.

Valerie K

Thank you.