Update on FamilySearch Online Records: What is Available Now That Microfilms Can No Longer Be Ordered

Like many other researchers I was worried when I read that FamilySearch will no longer offer microfilm delivery to the Family History Centers.  The September 1, 2017 deadline on that service has now past, and FamilySearch posted about the situation last week in "What's New: Search Records At Home":

FamilySearch continues to digitize microfilms at a rate of 1,000 each business day. That is the equivalent of digitizing every microfilm that has been requested by patrons in the past five years. What if the record you want hasn’t been digitized? First, check other family history websites to see if the information is available elsewhere. If not, you can request to have FamilySearch move your film to the top of the digitization priority list by contacting FamilySearch Support online or by phone at 1-866-406-1830.

With the changes to FamilySearch’s record collections, gone forever are late nights at the library, spinning microfilm reels. Instead, you can look forward to even more success finding your ancestors using your own computer.

If you haven't already set up a free account with them, now is the time to do it.  I've seen notices at the top of their pages indicating that in the near future they will require an account to access some records. 

A New Years' Resolution might be to learn about or reacquaint yourself with the structure of the FamilySearch site, not just the indexed records.  The Catalog, the Research Wiki, and the Books sections contain a vast amount of information. 

The post includes the icons to understand what is available for those who are new to the site:

From the FamilySearch blog.

From the FamilySearch blog.

© 2017 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

"On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services."

But they estimate the time when all of these microfilms "should be digitized by the end of  2020", which will be great if true! (This particular item, "Old and New Westmoreland," actually already is digitized and available online).

Noooo!  I just found out yesterday that Family Search is phasing out its microfilm distribution services:

The change is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology.
• Online access to digital images of records allows FamilySearch to reach many more people, faster and more efficiently.
• FamilySearch is a global leader in historic records preservation and access, with billions of the world’s genealogical records in its collections.
• Over 1.5 million microfilms (ca. 1.5 billion images) have been digitized by FamilySearch, including the most requested collections based on microfilm loan records worldwide.
• The remaining microfilms should be digitized by the end of 2020, and all new records from its ongoing global efforts are already using digital camera equipment.
• Family history centers will continue to provide access to relevant technology, premium subscription services, and digital records, including restricted content not available at home.

I just ordered a few microfilms last week.  I guess it will be my last order.  I'm going to try not to get upset, and instead focus on what I already have (which is a lot), and spend time cleaning up my tree and working on research plans for the people I have on my tree.

"Old and New Westmoreland" digitized copies.

© 2017 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.