During this COVID19 crisis as a consultant I have only been able to help as our FHC is closed by enc
In the past I have been able to read on Family Search the photocopy of the actual document that extractions are made from. The extractions are often incomplete of the data on the original and often mis-read as the extraction person is not able to read old and poor handwriting. Is it possible to view documents at home while FHC's are closed?
At the moment because of what I believe is a merge of two persons incorrectly I need to verify the marital information of an Angus McVicar PIN#L5FV-DYLon the 1851 Census DGS#4097343& 1861 Census DGS #4548737 census of North Uist I found him on the 1841 Census when it was possible to find it on-line. On this census his wife was my Great Aunt Euphemia Macdonald PIN#KZ2F-SLB Daughter of my Great Grandfather Archibald Macdonald who died in 1855. I have his Death Certificate and Euphemia is listed as age: 55, the second child born in the family. My Great Grandfather Allan was the first child. I have been unable to find Euphemia's death cert. but believe her husband was a widower on the 1851 census. Someone has her having children in Nova Scotia and has attached a Donald MacVicar as her only child and born in Nova Scotia. Euphemia is also listed as having died there. If the census has her missing from the family it would be a pretty good reason that the Nova Scotia connection is the result of an incorrect merge.
I would like to share what I do know after over 40 years as a Trainer in the Vancouver, B.C., FHC. The technology is growing faster than my ability to keep up but I still would like to help where I am still useful Sincerely Catherine Macdonald Glosli Kite
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@catherinemacdonaldglosli1 catherinemacdonaldglosli1 Without going and actually doing all the look-ups for your specific ancestors and the source documents, I don't have a specific answer for this question. However, there is a general answer that answers your overall question. Yes - MANY (VERY many in fact) of the documents are available through FamilySearch at home if you were able to see them in the FHC in the past. There is - with the exception below - no difference between what you can see in the FHC vs. what you can view at home.
The exception is what are called restricted records. Most of the digitized microfilm records can be viewed at home as well as in FHCs (and FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries). However, owners of some records have chosen not to make them available to the general public. But in some of those cases, the Church has legally negotiated limited viewing access to such records in Family History Centers, as well as (sometimes) FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. Those would therefore not be available from home due to the restricted status the owners have negotiated with the Church. So during COVID, if a local public or university library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library but is closed due to COVID, or a FHC is closed due to COVID, there is temporarily no way to view such records.
Here is an article about such records. When you see a reference in FamilySearch as to availability of records, there will often be little icons indicating that the record is actually viewable. But sometimes there is the restriction as to where it can be viewed (e.g. FHC only, or FHC and FamilySearch Affiliate Library).
Even from home, you can at least see whether an image is available somewhere, and if so, it will then indicate where it can be viewed (unrestricted which would include from home, vs. one of the limited viewing sites as noted above). Then you can either view it from home, or at least make a note of where you CAN view it once such a facility reopens after COVID allows more normal operations.
The question about whether certain of the records you are looking for are actually available (anywhere) is a much more in depth research question that goes beyond the scope of this group, of course. But at least you can see on FamilySearch if a record is known to be viewable either on FamilySearch, or at some other site (sometimes noted to be a pay-site if there is a fee charged at the other site).
Hope that helps.
--Chris
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@catherinemacdonaldglosli1 catherinemacdonaldglosli1
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Catherine
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You desire to continue to HELP is fantastic ...
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As an aside ...
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And, not addressing your continued willingness to HELP ...
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But ...
In relation to your 'Question' ...
"... Is it possible to view documents at home while FHC's are closed? ..."
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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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@Jeanette Ball Allan @catherinemacdonaldglosli1 catherinemacdonaldglosli1 That is forbidden, even though an occasional Church building switch has been connected in the wrong way to connect the WiFi to the FamilySearch Portal. The Portal is NOT to be publicly available via WiFi access. There are different wiring configurations (different connections) for the FHC, the various clerks' offices, and the WiFi access, in each building for specific reasons, and the stake technology specialist is responsible for keeping those properly connected. There are security and legal reasons for this. Brett posted it above, but again - here is one of several references in the Knowledge Articles to that situation:
Restricted records during COVID-19 outbreak
Article Id: 7019, Published September 15, 2020
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.
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.
We appreciate your patience, loyalty, and support.
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This has also been extensively covered in the FHC tech support (North America) group for those with access to that group. If your WiFi is providing access to the Premium web sites and also the images that are restricted to ONLY be viewed from within a FHC or a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, then the stake technology specialist needs to be notified so s/he can reconnect the WiFi properly, and disconnect the entirely separate feed that is only supposed to go to the FHC (different IP addresses), with it's hard-wired connections to the FamilySearch Portal (NOT wireless access). That is a forbidden situation.
Screen-shotting of a restricted image is also not permissible. We are permitted to extract the data in a restricted as we sit and view the image, and copy the data onto paper, or type it directly into our Family Tree or Ancestry.com tree, for example. The data WITHIN the restricted images is historical data and by itself is not subject to copyright restrictions. But the format in which the owners of the microfilm put the images IS subject to copyright. They paid for the equipment, time, and effort that went into photographing all those images, then compiling them on microfilm, etc. They have every right to protect their work, even if the data within the screen images is publicly available information otherwise for copyright purposes. Actual printouts from the FHC printer or photo-copies of restricted images should not be made.
--Chris
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Thanks Chris
I wasn't planning on using it. We are in a rural area and the Church building is some distance away. The records I wanted to access are not restricted. Some of them were even available in any Public Library as well as on Microfilm that we could order to view in Branch FHC's. Until fairly recently I could view the various records that were being extracted from on my home computer through Family Search. The problem is solved thanks to "Explore Historical Records". Thank-you to all who have assisted this old 91 year old who is being challenged by Technology.
My next problem which has being going on for some time is accessing Ancestry.com. I contacted Family Search and was told that it is not unique for someone in the Church who previously had a paid account had the same problem as myself and were not able to have the Free Ancestry. Other than changing my name and e-mail address and becoming someone different, I have tried using the instructions quite a few times. My husband says I should just "bite the bullet" and pay for a subscriptions. My maiden name was "Macdonald" and that just doesn't work for me. Free should be Free!!!
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@catherinemacdonaldglosli1 catherinemacdonaldglosli1 No problem if your building is wired orrectly and WiFi isn't accessing the FHC Portal. We can still use the WiFi access, of course, for any publicly accessible site including FamilySearch (though I'm told that the Church has restricted some types of inappropriate sites via WiFi - haven't had a need or desire to check that out for myself - hah hah!).
I was responding mainly to the post above yours that talked about specifically finding a "work around" to the policy of restricted images ONLY being viewed on the screens of FHC computers (or about 90% of those same images being available in FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries around the world). There is no appropriate "work around" for that. That was my concern.
As for somehow losing your free access to Ancestry via your access as a Church member, I had that happen once and the people at Ancestry.com were very helpful in getting that restored for me. I'd suggest calling their help desk directly. I hope that helps. They're an excellent additional source to have available with many records that FamilySearch does not have, and vice versa (as are the other sites available to Latter-day Saints).
--Chris
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Thanks Chris
I'll try your suggestion tomorrow. I've not been successful in getting in touch with them. All I seem to get is the screen with the three different types of programs they are anxious to sell me!!!
Cathie Kite
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It only gives access to the images, the same as if you were using your laptop, tablet or phone inside the FHC.
You must be close, as if you were at the FHC, so, in my opinion, you are still meeting the restricted requirements.
It DOES NOT give access to the Portal or the other Premium sites, I never said that it did.
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I called them directly using their help phone number. Email/chat is generally a no-go for me. I did have to call Ancestry once last year during COVID, and with everyone working from home it was a longer than usual wait, but still very helpful tech support. When it was an issue with the free Church account, I just told her that right up front and she didn't seem at all hesitant to help me get it straightened out even though it didn't make them any money or a commission for her. 😊
Come to think of it, I believe that was before the takeover. Hopefully the new owners don't consider customer service to be an unnecessary expense. 😁
--Chris
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@Jeanette Ball Allan Not intending to be argumentative here. It appears that there is some difference in understanding of requirements and perhaps some terms. I was responding to your statement about "being unable to view restricted images during FHC shutdowns...."
If you can park in the parking lot near a FHC or even sit inside the Church building logged into FamilySearch using your laptop through WiFi, and you can see restricted images, those restricted images would be coming through the FamilySearch Portal, which uses an entirely different IP address than when you log into FamilySearch from home or the IP address that is supposed to used via WiFi.
TERMS for clarification here:
"Premium web sites" are free within FHCs, but would cost each of us nearly $1000 if we subscribed to them at home.
"Restricted images" are those microfilm images that have notices stating that they cannot be viewed on a home computer but are only available in a FHC, or sometimes also in FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. If we're not talking about the same things here, you may want to reword your original post and I'll delete my response(s) to avoid further confusion by anyone else. It's just important that no one be misled into thinking that there is any work-around for viewing the microfilm images that are intended to be seen within a FHC ONLY. Sitting in a parking lot 10 feet from the window of the FHC does not in any way qualify. The Church is VERY much aware of the inconvenience brought on by COVID that keeps such images from being able to be viewed while FHCs are closed, or while FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries are closed (they have access to about 90% of the restricted images, I'm told). It all has to do with the legal agreements the Church has fortunately been able to negotiate with the owners of those images so at least SOME free access is available despite the owners not wanting to provide totally free access to everyone everywhere. Otherwise such images are accessible for a fee through the owners of the records.
You may very well be able to sit in the parking lot and use the building WiFi, and even use FamilySearch just as you would from home. That's no problem. But the things you aren't permitted to view at home should also not be able to be viewed from the parking lot. Again, that was what I was responding to. If you can see something in the parking lot on your laptop using WiFi that you can't see at home on that same computer, then there is a problem with the wiring of computer access in the building that needs to be corrected so that WiFi isn't connecting anyone to it wirelessly. Those things are only permitted to be viewed on a Church-owned Family History Center computer directly wired to the FamilySearch Portal.
What's confusing now is your last statement that, "It DOES NOT give access to the Portal or the other Premium sites." If you can't get to the Premium sites, then you aren't getting access to the Portal, and therefore also shouldn't even be able to see the restricted images - BOTH require Portal access with the dedicated IP address. That's why I'm now wondering if there is a confusion on terminology here. Below is a link to the Portal. If you're at home, you will not be able to see the list of Premium sites from this first link. I've also put a link just below it to descriptions of what the Premium sites (2nd link below), just for clarification.
Link to Portal access: https://fhc.familysearch.org/resources.html
List of Premium web sites available on Portal:
In that 2nd link just above, note the statement at the top of the page: "You must access the premium subscription websites from a family history center computer through the Family History Center Services Portal."
This topic has been a significant one in the private FHC Technical Support (North America) Group recently due to a fair amount of misinformation and misunderstanding. What I posted above has been repeatedly made clear by the FamilySearch Technical Support LEAD who hosts that group for FHC Leaders (formerly called "Directors") and stake technology specialists, so that we can monitor our own FHCs to make sure they are in compliance with Church directives and the legal agreements behind them that the Church has nicely been able to negotiate with some owners of the images in order to at least get us some free access. Unfortunately, some Church buildings have been erroneously wired to have the Portal connected to WiFi. None of that should be able to be accessed by WiFi. If it is, it's in error, and should not be taken advantage of, but reported and corrected.
--Chris
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