Finding digital images previously available only on Microfilm

Sandra Turner

I was recently informed that ALL microfilm has been digitized by Family Search so I have undertaken the project of sending back 610 rolls of microfilm. However, one of our patrons is objecting. She stated that she cannot find the data online. She focuses on Bavarian research and when she entered the microfilm number (for example, 1,416,446) it only shows it available as microfilm. I tried using the "Images" tab under "Search" but was not able to find it. Can anyone help me learn how to do this so that I can teach her?

N Tychonievich

@Sandra Turner It is true that all microfilms have been digitized by FamilySearch. But, it is not true that all of those digitized records are available to view online. Online access to digitized film images is determined by contracts with the record custodians. Some do not permit us to give our patrons access to the online images.

Sometimes Church members have access to images that the general public does not. Sometimes we are permitted to allow users to access the image if they sign in to FamilySearch at a FamilySearch center. Sometimes no online access is permitted.

Here is how to find out if films in your collection are available to your guests online.

First, we suggest that you create a secondary account for FamilySearch that does not link to your Church Record Number. That will permit you to search for films and see what your public patrons see. We'll use 1416446 as an example.

To test access, use these steps:

1. Sign in to FamilySearch--probably would be best to sign in with your newly created non-member account.
2. Click Search and then Catalog.
3. Under the "Search for" heading, click Film/Fiche/Image Group Number (DGS).
4. Enter 1416446 in the search box and click Search.
5. Click the title in the search results.
6. Scroll to the Film/Digital Notes section. Notice what shows in the Format column. 1416446 shows a film reel icon. That means that FamilySearch is not permitted to allow access to these digital images. We see that this film covers deaths as recent as 1932, which is probably the reason for the restriction. So, if you have a patron who uses the film, it is one you'd want to consider keeping in the center.

Other icons that can be in the Format column:

--a camera icon, which means users can freely access the images from home.

--a camera icon with a key over it, which means there are viewing restrictions. Click the icon to see what the restrictions are. Often a user can view these online if they are at a FamilySearch center.

--no icon at all, which means we have never had a physical copy of these images and are not permitted to allow access to the images that were captured digitally.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for your service in the FamilySearch center!

Sandra Turner

Thank you so much for this. It appears that we will still need to keep some of our microfilm and the two microfilm readers in our center until such time that 100% of all microfilms are imaged, which I understand may never be the case.

I appreciate the time you took to explain this