Access to records that have a DGS number but still display a microfilm reel symbol.
Hello, last year I attended my local Family History Centre at Charlestown for several weeks to access German records for my personal family research. All the records have been digitised except for four films which still display a microfilm reel symbol, therefore they can't be viewed. However, ALL the films have a DGS number which I understand means the film has been digitised. To confuse matters more, when I log in to Family Search on my mobile phone, tablet or laptop ALL the films have a camera icon but are key locked, which is why I go to my local Family History centre at Charlestown. I have also checked these records at a FamilySearch Affiliate library at my local council library and ALL the records display a camera icon but remain locked. I have also enquired at a NSW Central Coast centre and the same four sets of records display a reel symbol.
The records I need are not digitally available at the German website Archion.de so I can not continue with my research. The attached image shows the four films (with reel symbol) I require.
Can anyone advise regarding a solution for this problem.
Regards,
Linda Wallis
Best Answers
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Hello Linda,
I have written to you if you would like to have some help but obviously you did not received my emails from Pacific Support.
We have noticed a few German records do have the symbol of the wheel on them, but not on our computers here on Pacific Support, please reply or write to us and we will send the cases to engineers to look at. At the moment we have one reported cases of the wheel symbol on another user's account.
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The Catalog has been under maintenance for over a year, and errors and out of date information is starting to become more of a problem. As you may already know, a camera icon indicates you can view the records from you current location. A camera/key icon indicates the records can be viewed digitally, but not from your current account and location: you need to either login, go to a FamilySearch Center, Affiliate Library, or be a LDS member. A microfilm reel icon indicates the records are not available digitally to anyone from anywhere.
It's not the first time in recent weeks that errors in the icons have been reported. I do hope that FS could provide an update on whether the Catalog maintenance will finish (or if intend to replace it and not finish the maintenance), as it has been taking an incredibly long time.
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Answers
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A microfilm reel indicates the film is not available for online viewing under any circumstances (i.e. regardless of location, country or LDS membership). For the four films above, it is quite likely this is for privacy reasons. The first film contains baptisms from as recent as 1945, the second marriages from 1945, the third confirmations and [First] Communions from 1944/45, and the fourth marriages from 1945. In most countries, a 100 or 110 year limit applies to births and 75 or 80 years for marriages.
Therefore these four films cannot be published. Obviously this is frustrating, since there are also records on these films that are much older, but FS operates on an "all or nothing" basis as they currently do not have the means to divide films into separate parts and publish only the older parts. FS has been talking about doing this for several years, but nothing has been launched yet.
Have you tried looking at the FS Wiki for information about access to Polish church records. I know there are websites other than Archion.
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A van Helsdingen,
Thank for answering my question. Yes it is frustrating as it is the earlier records I require not the more recent records.
I still don't understand why ALL the records display a camera icon when I log in on my own devices at home...I suppose just indicating they are all digitised but you can't have them!
I wish I had ordered the films before the digitisation process started...quite possible my brick walls would have been solved years ago!
I have looked at FS Wiki but will look again.
Many thanks,
Linda
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Hello Chai,
Sorry but this is the first message I have received from you. I will look for the message you mentioned.
I did receive a reply from another person in response to my question which appeared before your comment.
Can you see the image I attached of the four films showing the reel symbol?
The records I require are for Neuwarp and Albrechtsdorf, Pommern and are in the Kirchenbuch, 1642-1945, Neuwarp, Pommern.
As mentioned in my initial comment, ALL the films have a DGS number and camera icon displayed when I log in on my own phone, tablet and laptop but are key locked.
Can you tell me please where else do I contact you as you have asked?
Thank you for contacting me,
Linda Wallis
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@L Wallis when you say
As mentioned in my initial comment, ALL the films have a DGS number and camera icon displayed when I log in on my own phone, tablet and laptop but are key locked.
what wording do you get when you click through to the films?
Also are you a LDS Church member or not? Sometimes records have different access conditions for church and non church members, so presumably in that situation different icons would display depending into which category you fall.
Three of the films have baptisms, or Indexes, through to 1945 and will not be available for privacy reasons, as mentioned by A van Helsdingen above.
It is my understanding that FamilySearch usually restricts marriages within 75 years, and I would have thought that the fourth film would now be available full view, but perhaps the non availability is related to the catalogue freezing. I think it would be worthwhile sending an email to FHL-SLC-FilmRequests@churchofjesuschrist.org in terms of https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-request-a-correction-to-the-familysearch-catalog
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Hello MaureenE123
Thank you for your message.
I understand the access conditions which is why I visit my local FH centre.
I had a message from Chai at Pacific Support (in previous comments) and he has indicated there has been problems with some records that have been digitised (have a DGS number) but still display a reel symbol and can't be accessed. I have sent a message to Pacific Support at Chai's request.
Thank you for the link to Film requests...it may be helpful.
Linda Wallis
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