Request to digitize films (please move if not right section)

Christopher Colley

I'm not sure if this is the right section to post this request (the guidance says if customers need access to a particular film yet to be digitized, they can request to have it added to the priority digitization list by contacting FamilySearch Support - but unfortunately the link seems to be broken).

I would like to request that the following Church records be digitized please:

Greek Melkite Church. St. Elias Church (Haifa, Israel) - film nos. 1365381 and 1365376

Catholic Church. St. Joseph (Haifa, Israel) - film nos. 1365378, 1365379 and 1365380

Greek Melkite Church. Annunciation Church (Nazareth, Israel) - film no. 1365374

I used to access these films quite frequently, but this has not been possible since film ordering stopped. I've been hoping the films would be digitized soon, but as this has not yet happened, I thought I would make this request.

With many thanks,

A van Helsdingen

FamilySearch Support has been replaced by this forum- you have come to the right place.

Hopefully a FS employee will see this and prioritize these films. Before the pandemic it took about 4 weeks on average for the digitization to occur. However this is dependent on privacy laws and the permission of the record owner.

If there is a number in the DGS column already in the FS Catalog, it means the film has been digitized. If the film is not available digitally, then it means that the digital film cannot be published for legal or privacy reasons. For example, film 1365381 has already been digitized. But it has records from 1930, which is probably too recent for publication- in most countries records can only be published after 100 years for privacy reasons.

MaureenE123

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/99711

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/117954 https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/99488

These are the catalog entries for the above microfilm series . They all have a DGS number which means they have already been digitised . Unfortunately because of the dates the records cover, they are not available to view online. Perhaps at some future time FamilySearch will split the films so that at least some of the records become available;able, but currently unless you can locate the relevant microfilms you will not be able to view the records.

Paul W

@Christopher Colley

Looking at these film numbers in the Catalog section reveals they have already been digitized, as they have a DGS reference alongside. There are two possibilities here. Either the films have not yet been placed online or, possibly more likely, FamilySearch does not have permission from the record custodian to display the images.

There are many other digitized films that either have specific restrictions regarding viewing (e.g. can only be read at a Family History Center) or cannot be viewed on the FamilySearch website under any circumstances.

Christopher Colley

Ah okay, thanks for the information @Paul W, @MaureenE123 and @A van Helsdingen.

So, in this case, since the films are either only available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or in the Granite Mountain Vault, does that mean there's no longer any way for me to view the records here in the UK at all? That's a terrible outcome if so. Surely in a scenario like that, there still needs to be some way of ordering the films. Is there really no provision for cases like this?

Paul W

@Christopher Colley

The facility to order microfilms (from Salt Lake or Solihull, I think it was) stopped a few years ago, I believe. The microfilms held at the Family History Centre at Kew were transferred to the Society of Genealogists' Library, but the society is currently undergoing a change of premises. Unfortunately, FamilySearch no longer advises (in the Catalog section) where copies of films are still obtainable. So it will be difficult to find if the SoG do have copies of the films you require (once they reopen for business), as I understand they did not catalogue the collection, but relied on FamilySearch continuing to provide this information. The same problem possibly applies to any Family History Centre, here in the UK, that might still have functioning readers and their own collection of microfilms. Not good news for you, I'm afraid.

A van Helsdingen

Another thing to consider is that privacy laws have become stricter in recent years. It was once OK to distribute microfilms with births and marriages from 1982 (film 1365376), but now you might have to wait 100 years. So even if FS was able to distribute microfilms, they might refuse to distribute that particular film out of fear of a lawsuit.

MaureenE123

If you go to the Catalogue Search, and under the heading Availability click Family History Center, then scroll down to Society of Genealogists and select that, and then Search, you can see that at least the first microfilm is stated to be held there. However you should confirm with SOG. I only checked the first. However note Paul W said SOG is currently undergoing a change of premises.

Paul W

@MaureenE123 @Christopher Colley

Maureen

Thank you so much for correctly my incorrect statement and advising one is still able to search for microfilms that are held at different Family History Centres and, exceptionally, other libraries.

I am attaching a screenshot of the page from which it can be confirmed what is held by the Society of Genealogists. Unfortunately, it will probably be quite some time (due to the change of premises) before their collection of FamilySearch microfilms will be again available to read.

Christopher

As Maureen suggests, search on "Family History Center", then enter the individual film numbers you wish to read.

Christopher Colley

Thanks again @MaureenE123 @A van Helsdingen and @Paul W – this is very helpful. It's frustrating and counter-intuitive to realise how much more limited the access to some films has become after digitization vs before. But this is a very good tip about searching for the films. Thanks again.