Why is hint posted for a record which cannot be viewed?
Here is an example of a hint posted for a record which cannot be viewed. How or why does this happen?
Answers
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This is a known problem with both the WWI and WWII draft cards along with the indexing disappearing.
The indexing has returned for some records, but the hints didn't return.1 -
Another aspect to consider is that where the hinted record has restricted availability, the system has to link the hint to the relevant profile because it has no idea whether you or I or whoever reads the hint can access the hinted record.
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@Phil H Dittmer It usually happens because the hint was generated before the restriction occurred. As mentioned by @Nyx773 we have been having significant issues with permissions loss with both WWI and WWII record collections. This is being addressed and just this week many of the WWI records were restored. However, Indiana WWII records were not previously on our list, which would explain why there was a record hint. It has been added!
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Good morning @SerraNola
In case the info is useful:
According to a weekly update of FS collections, as published by Randy Seaver, Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island lost their images for WWII Draft Registrations this week.
https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/05/added-and-updated-familysearch-record_0278299817.html3 -
Áine, your information is always helpful! This is the first I am seeing of record loss in the 1940-1947 collections. What I have documented has been from the Old Man's Draft—except Nebraska which was both.
It's concerning that the blog has labeled it as "Deleted Collections", but I guess the result is the same whether it is intentional or not. I am told by engineering that WWII records will take longer to restore. I'm in the process of at least making sure every collection is on the work order. In addition to Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island, I have added Iowa and Michigan.
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Thanks, SerraNola.
Randy publishes that updated list every week.2
