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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Berlin-Bob on Monday 26 June 17 17:49 BST (UK)
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According to something I just read in a german forum, the LDS is going to stop sending microfilms out after August 30th. 2017.
I couldn't find any reference to it here, so I am posting the link to the (english) page:
On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services. (The last day to order microfilm will be on August 31, 2017.) [...] The change is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology. [...]
https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/familysearch-microfilm-discontinuation?lang=eng&_r=1
Amongst reasons quoted are - the increased and still increasing digitalisation of existing microfilms
- the ease of access through the internet of digitised records
- obsolescence of microfilm equipment and technik
regards,
Bob
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I'm not too surprised they will be discontinuing film. I had ordered my first microfilm in May and realised when I got to the family history centre that so much was online from within their building that I sent the microfilm back without using it.
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Is this only in UK? Or worldwide?
Dawn M
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I'm guessing world-wide, as they have made a very general information page about it, without mentioning any restrictions.
Bob
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I posted this in March
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=767592.0
I know it specifically relates to The National Archives but is being out into effect elsewhere in the world.
You can filter this (growing) list by location and then look for the camera icon.
https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list
eg the UK collection
https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list/?page=1®ion=UNITED_KINGDOM_IRELAND
Some online images can only be viewed at a LDS family hostory centre.
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Don't forget that there are many "hidden" batches of record images on FS that are not found by search and do not appear in their collection list. They can be found via results lists using catalogue. By searching for a particular location you get a list of records. Through trial and error by clicking on the camera icon in each batch you can discover various record image collections. Here are some of the new resources for Liverpool and the Isle of Man:-
Liverpool
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=770691.0
Isle of Man
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=771330.0
Blue
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I have found that many of the films digitised and viewable on-line at a LDS library for the places I want to look at, are films of the Bishop's Transcripts. MAny of the actual Parish registers are still only viewable by sending for the film.
These are for places that are not on the subscription sites.
So how will that work after the end of August?
Hopefully it means that those places not already digitised, will be soon - either by the LDS, or one of the subscription sites - we live in hope! ;) (Did I see Ancestry were going to be doing Derbyshire? About time somebody did!)
Having said that, there are digitised films on LDS you can't get to see anywhere else without actually going to the pertinent RO - like Parish Chest films sometimes, which include Poor Law Records, churchwardens accounts etc. And even some Scottish ones I found yesterday (without having to go through SP). All very interesting.
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I would be interested to know how much it would cost to hire a film (in New Zealand), at it may be cheaper than getting individual images for 6 credits from ScotlandsPeople. And when you browse a parish register you often find information you didn't even know you were looking for.
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I would be interested to know how much it would cost to hire a film (in New Zealand), at it may be cheaper than getting individual images for 6 credits from ScotlandsPeople. And when you browse a parish register you often find information you didn't even know you were looking for.
Looking at the familysearch website the fees appear to be
https://familysearch.org/films/
Short-term Microfilm Loan (up to 90 days) NZ$10.65
Extended Microfilm Loan (indefinite) NZ$26.62
Short-term Microfilm Loan Renewal NZ$10.65
Extended Microfilm Loan Renewal NZ$26.62
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The LDS have stated that they will discontinue Film distribution worldwide with the intention of digitising all films they hold by 2020. Unfortunately this appears to indicate a 3 year period during which the information on the films will not be available unless your local centre already holds copies.
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Wow. Another 3 years Falkym. I may not be here that much longer! ;)
Have you checked whether the films you're interested in have been digitised at LDS hurworth?
I found several of the different Paisley churches the other day ARE digitised and viewable at an LDS library on-line - in NZ. It was great to find some of the images I hadn't paid for on SP.
I could also look at Falkland, Kirkcaldy, Avondale.......... and those were just the few I found on one day.
And yes, you can often find breakthroughs looking at the actual registers.
In one village in Cheshire, I could never tie in my 'Allman/ Almond' family with some 'Ormond' baptisms and burials with any certainty, even though they might sound very similar when said out loud.
And then I found it had been digitised at LDS, and right on the back cover of the register, a note the minister must have made for himself to remind him to put it in the register ' Jesse Almond baptised son of William Ormond'. Fabulous! :D
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I have found that many of the films digitised and viewable on-line at a LDS library for the places I want to look at, are films of the Bishop's Transcripts. MAny of the actual Parish registers are still only viewable by sending for the film.
So how will that work after the end of August?
Hi Goldie61
My own example is that the Cambridgeshire PRs are only available at a home PC as Bishop's Transcripts but the original registers are available online at the Kew FHC - which is fine
I'm off there tomorrow, so if you have a specific example, I can ask them about it
Steve
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Unfortunately this appears to indicate a 3 year period during which the information on the films will not be available unless your local centre already holds copies.
Up to three years with the more popular films going up first.
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I'm guessing world-wide, as they have made a very general information page about it, without mentioning any restrictions.
Bob
It is worldwide.
The main problem is most microfilm stock manufactures stopped producing microfilm a number of years ago.
When the LDS found out they bought as much stock film as they could.
That blank stock is now running out therefore they cannot make copies to distribute any more.
They want to keep the master films in good condition to enable them to be digitised rather than risk loaning them and getting them scratched or damaged.
Cheers
Guy
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Thank you for the explanation Guy.
The microfilms have helped preserve the original images, and now they need to preserve the microfilms.
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Thanks for the offer Stevie, but the ones I want are definitely only on film still. There is no 'camera' icon, even in the LDS library, to view them online at all. Just a 'film reel' icon. Better get the orders in quick if I want to see them!
I too have found a some registers you can view at home, but many more only at the LDS library.
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60,000 microfilms from the London FamilySearch Centre have been transferred to the Society of Genealogists.
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Have you checked whether the films you're interested in have been digitised at LDS hurworth?
I found several of the different Paisley churches the other day ARE digitised and viewable at an LDS library on-line - in NZ. It was great to find some of the images I hadn't paid for on SP.
I could also look at Falkland, Kirkcaldy, Avondale.......... and those were just the few I found on one day.
No, I haven't goldie. Should I be able to check this from home and if so how would I be able to tell?
On the index the records I want there isn't a next to them when there is a long list of various names. On the individual entry there is an Indexing Project (Batch) number and also a GS Film number. There an camera with "No image available" written next to it.
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I’m not quite sure what page you are starting from on familysearch, so I’ll try and explain what I do to see if the films are digitised and viewable.
From here https://familysearch.org/search/, go to ‘Search’ - in between ‘Family Tree’ and ‘Memories ‘
Click to bring up a menu.
Go down to ‘Catalogue’.
Click.
In the box under ‘Place’ put in the name of the place you want, eg Paisley. (Don’t worry at this point if you know a specific church, this will come up later).
Wait for it to recognise the place and county, and select the one you want. (eg, there are two towns called ‘Prestbury’, one in Cheshire and one in Gloucestershire, so I’d pick Prestbury, Cheshire).
Don’t worry about the rest of it, just click the ‘search’ button.
You will get all the information about the films they have about that particular place.
If you want the parish registers or BTs, click on ‘Church records’, and it will come up with the films they have.
If you find a film there you think is the one one want to see, see if there is a camera icon next to it, and click on it. If it’s viewable at home, it will load, or it may say it’s only viewable at an LDS library.
If there’s no camera icon, and only a film reel icon, it means you still have to order it from Salt Lake. (Get in before August evidently!).
I hope you can follow this!
If you give me the name of a couple of places I can check them out and send you a link.
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Go to:-
https://familysearch.org/catalog/search
Type in a place name and click on search you should get a results list like this:-
https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=79&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Isle%20of%20Man%22
Then click on one of the items and select a title. You will get a page something like this:-
https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/233934?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Click on any items with a camera icon and see if the images will load. You may get a message saying only available at an LDS centre or unavailable for another reason or the first image may appear on screen. If the download facility is enabled make sure you save anything of interest as access conditions may change in the future.
Blue
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Thank you goldie and blue for your very easy to follow instructions. Many of the records I am interested in ARE available digitally at a LDS centre!
Now I just have to work out which ones aren't yet and order them.
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Now I just have to work out which ones aren't yet and order them.
Won't that still be £7.50 a pop?
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Glad you found some of the films you are looking for are digitised and available at the LDS library hurworth.
I just checked at the LDS library - films are $8.50 NZ if you need to send for them.
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Thanks for the great instructions, goldie61 and Blue70. I have now discovered that 2 films I was about to order have the little cameras and so are available to view through my local family history center :).
PB
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I had successful day at the Family History Centre today.
It took about 20 minutes to log in. To start with it wouldn't recognise the log in I use at home.
Once I was in I focused on three films that have been digitised and obtained the eight images I really wanted. I also browsed and for the Scottish baptisms (1790s and 1800s) it gave me an idea of who was who and what the recorded info meant. The column on the right asked who the baby was named after.
I think the Dundee baptism records are transcripts though. The writing is in one hand for many years, and the ink doesn't change for years and years. It will explain why couple of children who were recorded in a Bible (both birth and baptism dates) are not recorded in the parish record.
One image from England I viewed is far more useful than a marriage certificate (which would have been the other option, as it isn't on any pay-to-view sites) because the parish image has the original signatures. There is absolutely no doubt now that this man is our relative as he has a distinctive signature and it matches his signature from his first marriage.
Using polarbear and goldie's tips I helped the woman seated next to me find the digitised film of her ancestor's baptism in Wales. It had 500 pages and she ran out of time!
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Just wondering whether the centres allow you to save a digital image in some form or whether you have to print them out please? I'm also wondering if it varies between centres?
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I was able to save the images to a memory stick.
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I save the images to a memory stick too.
I think it will be the same in all LDS libraries smudwhisk.
You use the system logged in as that LDS library - so I they'll all run on the same system.
And yes, hurworth, I always run out of time!
So much to look at, I'll be doing many visits! :)
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I take a photo with my phone which they've always been fine with
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Thanks hurworth, goldie and Steve. I'm hoping to save images rather than have to photograph them, something I've had to do in the past with microfilms. There are several centres within a 20 or so mile radius of me, I used to use one which was 17 miles away which has good opening hours but am hoping to see if I can use one closer, albeit that doesn't open so often, because, as goldie says, there are a lot of things to view now. ;D I've not been since the early days of their digitisation and the centre I used was having teething problems viewing the images in the catalogue. That was, though, quite a few years ago.
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I hadn't been to an LDS library since the 'good old days' some 30 years ago when we used to go and trawl through the microfilms ordered from Salt Lake. I never thought I'd be visiting again! I've found the rooms much reduced in size - I guess now that 'everything' could be got on he Internet they cut down.
I've also found that apart from lots of PRs not yet digitised by the big genealogy sites, they also have some films digitised of Parish chest records - Poor rates, overseers accounts etc. You can check this when you go into 'Church Records' on your chosen place. And in Scotland, besides all the PRs, plus non-conformist registers, there are Session minutes if you're lucky - I can't see the big sites ever digitising those (and it costs a lot to get somebody to look at them at NRS) - and even if SP do, it would cost lots to view them there too.
Hours and hours (well, weeks and weeks) of fun! ;)
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Saving images is definitely the way to go but there is a limit of about 160 downloads per visit so don't go too nuts.
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And here I was thinking I'd spend less on ScotlandsPeople if I accessed some baptisms this way ;)
Finding out who one relative was named after sent me on another quest, so of course I HAD TO get her will!
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Saving images is definitely the way to go but there is a limit of about 160 downloads per visit so don't go too nuts.
Is the limit definitely only for saving and not for the number of images viewed please?
I could easily get through viewing that number of images in a short space of time. :-\
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Saving images is definitely the way to go but there is a limit of about 160 downloads per visit so don't go too nuts.
Is the limit definitely only for saving and not for the number of images viewed please?
I could easily get through viewing that number of images in a short space of time. :-\
Really?
I was just thinking how hard it would be to even view 160 images never mind save them. The libraries I've been to are only open for about 3 hours on any one day. And by the time you've found the right film, then the right image, (which can take quite a long time if you have to plough though the film which might contain not just the place you want to look at, but possibly three other places as well; then pinpoint the year you want, then find the marriages, say, which are not with the baptism but hundreds of images further on after the deaths, or the dates are out of order, or some years the marriages are mixed in with the baptisms, and some they're not ............ I could go on and on!). Then you have to find the actual bmd you want amongst a page of spidery, cramped writing with missing dates and the peculiar variety of handwriting of that particular vicar/clerk. The point is, sometimes it takes a good deal of that 3 hours to just find several exact bmd entries on a film.
It's not like SP or the family search records site - there's no immediate call up of the image you want - you just have to locate it on the film - which as I say can take ages.
I know I'd be very hard pressed to download 160 images, unless you just want to copy the whole film I guess.
Don't let this put you off though! It's really very interesting. And you often stumble across something you hadn't expected or even thought might be there. And of course you can get sidetracked in the middle of looking for something specific......... which takes even longer! ;)
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Forgive me for saying, goldie61, but I think you could make that process a little more efficient by using the catalogue
For example Bromley, Kent gives
General register (baptisms, 1558-1714; marriages, 1575-1734; burials, 1578-1678); Baptisms, 1558-1844.
1042453 Items 3 - 7
Baptisms, 1844-1877; Marriages, 1735-1837.
1042454
Marriages, 1837-1880.
1042455
Burials, 1678-1880; Banns, 1838-1875.
1042456
and more, which gives you an idea of the film you need and where each section is in the film
When you go to the actual image screen, if you click on the thumbnail view you see about 30 images on the screen.
With the information you have from the catalogue you can either scroll down a suitable amount or guesstimate a good starting page number - and if you're wrong, the catalogue gives an idea of how wrong
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Oh, and I'm pretty darn sure that it would be a limit of 160 downloads not views - I don't see why they'd want to restrict just viewing the images
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Really?
I was just thinking how hard it would be to even view 160 images never mind save them. The libraries I've been to are only open for about 3 hours on any one day.
I can obviously skim read a lot faster. ;) That said, yes most centres are only open for up to 3 hours per day, although a couple near me open for 4 hours on a Saturday and the centre I used to attend was for a while opening for 6 hours on a Wednesday but demand dropped off a few years back and they returned to only 3 hours in the morning.
Forgive me for saying, goldie61, but I think you could make that process a little more efficient by using the catalogue.
That's what I tend to do anyway when looking for what has been digitised. And I agree the thumbnails option is very useful for finding your place even when there are multiple registers on one digitised film. In the case of the latter, its useful to know which item on the film the register is, and then watch for the Start/End of film images.
Oh, and I'm pretty darn sure that it would be a limit of 160 downloads not views - I don't see why they'd want to restrict just viewing the images
I would hope so but you never know. That said, in 3 or 4 hours even I'd have to go somewhat to do that many downloads, browsing though is something else. ;D
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Saving images is definitely the way to go but there is a limit of about 160 downloads per visit so don't go too nuts.
Is the limit definitely only for saving and not for the number of images viewed please?
I could easily get through viewing that number of images in a short space of time. :-\
Sorry for the late reply. I only meant downloading by hitting the download button :)
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Forgive me for saying, goldie61, but I think you could make that process a little more efficient by using the catalogue
For example Bromley, Kent gives
General register (baptisms, 1558-1714; marriages, 1575-1734; burials, 1578-1678); Baptisms, 1558-1844.
1042453 Items 3 - 7
Baptisms, 1844-1877; Marriages, 1735-1837.
1042454
Marriages, 1837-1880.
1042455
Burials, 1678-1880; Banns, 1838-1875.
1042456
and more, which gives you an idea of the film you need and where each section is in the film
When you go to the actual image screen, if you click on the thumbnail view you see about 30 images on the screen.
With the information you have from the catalogue you can either scroll down a suitable amount or guesstimate a good starting page number - and if you're wrong, the catalogue gives an idea of how wrong
Only parish registers are set out this well though. For BTs, MIs, parish chests, etc. you're in for a harder time:
Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1788-1789, 1784-1785, 1777-1778, 1766-1767, 1772-1773, 1771-1772, 1770-1771, 1769-1770, 1768-1769, 1764-1765, 1763-1764, 1775-1776, 1773-1774, 1762-1763, 1756-1757, 1761-1762, 1767-1768, 1765-1766, 1780, 1778-1779, 1782-1783, 1781, 1787, 1785, 1789, baptisms, 1791, 1790, baptisms, marriages, 1792, marriages, 1794, baptisms, marriages, 1793, baptisms, 1794, baptisms, marriages, 1796, 1795, 1797-1802, baptisms, marriages, burials, 1806-1807, baptisms,1805-1806, 1809-1810, baptisms, marriages, 1808, 1810-1813, baptisms, marriages, 1816-1817, baptisms, marriages, burials, 1818-1820, baptisms, 1821, baptisms, marriages, burials, 1822, baptisms, marriages, 1823, baptisms, marriages, burials, burials, 1824, 1828, 1827, baptisms, burials, 1826, 1825, baptisms, 1831, marriages, 1826, 1825, 1831, baptisms, marriages, burials, 1830, 1829, 1832-1834, baptisms, burials, 1837, baptisms, marriages, burials, 1836, 1835, baptisms, burials, 1842, 1841, 1840, baptisms, 1838-1839, burials, 1838, baptisms, burials, 1843, burials, 1844, baptisms, 1845, marriages, 1837, 1839, 1845, 1844, 1843, 1850, 1845, 1847, 1846, 1853, 1840, 1852, 1856-1857, 1859, baptisms, 1843-1844, baptisms, burials, 1850, 1849, baptisms, 1846-1848, burials, 1846-1848, baptisms, burials, 1853, 1852, 1851, 1854, 1856-1857, burials, 1850, baptisms, burials, 1862, baptisms, 1858, baptisms, burials, 1859, burials, 1858, baptisms, 1863-1865, burials, 1862-1865, baptisms, 1868-1870, burials, 1868-1870, baptisms, 1865-1867, burials, 1866, baptisms, 1871-1873, burials, 1871-1873, 1855, 1861, baptisms, 1855, 1860-1861, marriages, baptisms, 1815.
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BTs are in chronological order though. Once you find the right year, you just have to twiddle around a bit.
Hmm, thinking about it, the Sudbury BT films have caused me to curse quite copiously, so, yes, not always straightforward.
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Yes of course I use the catalogue to find the correct film. and then see what it has on it so you can make an estimate of where to start looking for a particular bmd. (Can't think how else you could get to the film, you want).
But even then I have found it is not that straightforward. Things get out of place, or a family has had several children christened together and the one you want is not in the right chronological at all, (although it might give that date on a 'record search'), but way down the line somewhere, or the register of the place you want is amongst registers of other places on that one film, and the 'Item 3' you want, could start at anywhere between image '250' and image '800' out of over 1000 images on that film. So to say you only have to look at 30 images to find what you want has not been my experience at all.
Still think you'd be pushing it to download 160 images a visit.
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Still think you'd be pushing it to download 160 images a visit.
If you have a lot of interest in a particular parish then yes it is possible, I've done it on SEAX before now just downloading the pages of interest in a couple of hours.
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Well I spent 3 hours in one of the FHCs this morning and downloaded 111 images (all Wills) to a memory stick. ;D Would have been a few more probably if they'd filmed a few more folio numbers originally and there were on quite a few different "films".
Annoyingly the FHC is now shut for 3 weeks to get all the building's carpets replaced so shall have to be patient or see if can visit one of the others in the area. :-\
Interestingly I didn't have to login with my Familysearch id and password, worked just logged on to one of their computer's as a "patron".
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Interestingly I didn't have to login with my Familysearch id and password, worked just logged on to one of their computer's as a "patron".
I think that's the only way to see the images smudwhisk. Had you logged in with your own id and password, it would still not recognise you were logging in from an LDS centre, and hence able to view the films.
It's a great resource isn't it! :)
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I think that's the only way to see the images smudwhisk. Had you logged in with your own id and password, it would still not recognise you were logging in from an LDS centre, and hence able to view the films.
It's a great resource isn't it! :)
Ah, that might explain it but then how do they know when the person using the PC changes to limit the number of downloads? I suppose you just log off and back on to the PC. :-\ Anyway, not bothered one way or the other. The only other time I tried to print some images from the catalogue was probably 5 years ago, just after they started uploading stuff, and it wouldn't print so was much better today. ;D
Yes its a wonderful resource, especially not having to pay £7.50 per film. ;) I can see many happy hours back using the FHC again.
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I am a volunteer at our local FHC. I haven't heard about any limit on downloads.
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lanercost said there was a limit of 160 images per visit.
Saving images is definitely the way to go but there is a limit of about 160 downloads per visit so don't go too nuts.
I managed 111 this morning in 3 hours.
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I don't think I would ever want to download that much!
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I was downloading Wills, so some have several pages. ;D As its a 35 mile round trip to the FHC to view them, I went prepared with a list and saved them to study later at home with the rest of my research.
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lanercost said there was a limit of 160 images per visit
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Saving images is definitely the way to go but there is a limit of about 160 downloads per visit so don't go too nuts.
I managed 111 this morning in 3 hours.
I try but managed only 65 downloads in 3 hours
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I know we are lucky to be able to visit the LDS Family History Centres but do make sure that the volunteer who runs the session has your phone number so that, in the event that they are unable to attend that day, they can let you know and save you travelling miles for nothing.
Sometimes I've found that the opening hours are "flexible" if you are the only person left searching and the person in charge decides to close early and you are only just getting into your stride >:(
Susan
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I know we are lucky to be able to visit the LDS Family History Centres but do make sure that the volunteer who runs the session has your phone number so that, in the event that they are unable to attend that day, they can let you know and save you travelling miles for nothing.
Sometimes I've found that the opening hours are "flexible" if you are the only person left searching and the person in charge decides to close early and you are only just getting into your stride >:(
Susan
On the other hand you could always phone the FHC before setting out to ensure they will be open.
Why add to the things they have to do?
Cheers
Guy
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On the other hand you could always phone the FHC before setting out to ensure they will be open.
Why add to the things they have to do?
Cheers
Guy
Depends how far you have to travel. The FHC I use is a 40 minute drive away and only opens for 3 hours at a time. Waiting for them to open and then to travel there reduces the time available by almost an hour. I have been phoned by the FHC in the past to say they weren't opening as they know how far I travel but it tends to depend on the volunteer and the circumstances of the need to close as on another occasion I've got there and found they were shut.
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Thanks smudwhisk
I don't feel that I should phone before every visit if I go there 2 or 3 times a week.
DSusdan
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Depends how far you have to travel. The FHC I use is a 40 minute drive away and only opens for 3 hours at a time. Waiting for them to open and then to travel there reduces the time available by almost an hour. I have been phoned by the FHC in the past to say they weren't opening as they know how far I travel but it tends to depend on the volunteer and the circumstances of the need to close as on another occasion I've got there and found they were shut.
The point I was making was the Family History Centers are staffed by volunteers freely giving their time to help others.
Why should we expect them to remember to phone someone if they cannot get to the FHC to open it or if they have to close early for some reason.
They have enough on their hands without having that added burden.
I know of at least two FHC that have closed due to the public's attitude to them, some people seem to think they are like libraries paid for through taxes, they don't seem to realise how much of the running costs of the FHC is paid out of their own pockets including phone calls!
For example-
The Church pays for the basic building and set-up costs and similar-
Space in the church meetinghouse or another facility
Utilities, Internet access, Authorized furnishings, equipment, computers, printers, and replacements No-charge publications and materials from Distribution Services
The FHC (i.e. local LDS members) pays for things like –
Telephone expenses, Supplies, such as printer toner or ink, paper, postage, forms, and so forth, Surge protectors, uninterruptible power supplies, and connecting cables for computers and printers, Staff training materials created by the center, Reference materials, Repair and maintenance of equipment that is not the authorized brand and model, Expenses anticipated for discovery experiences or activities held at the center
Note I am not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but I can see no reason why they should have to pay (though I am sure many LDS members would happily do so) to phone members of the public, I strongly feel that to expect them to do so is rather selfish.
I am sorry if this offends and I also feel that those people who expect such service do not realise just what they are actually asking.
Cheers
Guy
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The point I was making was the Family History Centers are staffed by volunteers freely giving their time to help others.
Why should we expect them to remember to phone someone if they cannot get to the FHC to open it or if they have to close early for some reason.
Guy I never said I expected them to do so, nor do I think jazzycat did either as he/she was just making the point that if you leave a phone number with them they may try and contact you. I was just highlighting the fact that sometimes they do and sometimes they don't depending on the volunteer in charge on a specific day and the circumstances.
In the past the FHCs did make a small charge for printouts made from the internet. This had to stop some years back because HMRC I understand wanted the centres to become VAT registered (I was told this by the person who ran the centre), something that the LDS didn't want to do. Its unfortunate but I personally try and avoid printing out anything so as not to put upon the FHCs generosity in making the facilities available. In the past I've paid for a number of films to remain at the centre on indefinite loan which has made them available for others to make use of too.
Many long term users of FHCs like myself are well aware of the situation regarding the funding of the centres and do not need a long lecture from yourself regarding this. Its unfortunate that you always seem to think negatively of people whose posts may not be to your liking.
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To avoid phoning they could take email addresses from everyone (most people do have email addresses these days) and send one email to all their "customers" to warn of closures.
I used to attend the Centre some years back when they charged for printouts and was quite happy to pay 10p per sheet. I was rather surprised when they say I can print out for free now, but never use the printers and scanners, preferring to download to a memory stick. I have, however, donated paper for others to use. They offer free access to Ancestry, Find My Past etc but I don't take advantage of this, preferring to pay subscriptions to these sites so I can access them all the time at home. I have also helped by indexing hundreds upon hundreds of records for them and will continue to do so in the future.
In view of this, I think letting us know they cannnot open for any reason is quite reasonable!
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Or they could update their Webpage, Twitter and/or Facebook
Not that I'd ever think of looking there
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Yes they could take email adresses and be liable to register under the Data Protection Act with all the costs and regulation that involves.
They could also update their website if the particular volunteer had access to the passwords and the skills to enable them to do that.
Strange that all the suggestions fall on the FHC and their volunteers rather than the patron who wishes to avail himself/herself of a facility provided by the generosity of the LDS members.
It must be my age or something but I still feel that it is completely wrong to expect others to put themsleves out for ones own benefit.
But that is my problem.
Cheers
Guy
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Oh, come off it
A tweet or a facebook update would take 60 seconds max, and would benefit multiple potential users, who therefore wouldn't have to overload the beleaguered volunteer
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I am a volunteer at the local Family History Centre.
Some reasons the FHC may be unexpectedly closed.
One of the volunteers is sick and unable to work (and at short notice a replacement has not yet been found) The rule is that there must be at least 2 volunteers on duty for safety reasons.
Weather - our centre is not on a main road and the snow plow may not have cleared before opening time. Some of our volunteers have to travel a long way and are not comfortable driving in snow.
The electricity may be off for various reasons, or the internet may be down. Though we do not leave but hope it will be back on soon!
The volunteers for the first shift are usually there half an hour before opening time to vacuum and dust etc. and will answer the phone if any callers.
We do have a website and if we know in advance of a closure then it will be posted there.
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So you see, Guy, that not all volunteers are computer illiterate and unable to post a message on social media sites.
Smudwhisk and I have also TRIED to point out the various ways we show our appreciation to the LDS Church who provide this excellent resource but you're ignoring them. How else can we show our appreciation other than buying microfilms, donating paper (or other consumables) and indexing records? I have also helped with the cleaning when I've arrived early. If I was a millionaire I would help financially but most users of the Centres are not, so we can only help in small ways. We're not all selfish freeloaders.
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While the Kew Centre might be (almost certainly is) different from others in the country, the workload seems to have fundamentally changed over the last 6 months
Microfilm readers have virtually all gone, so no need to explain how to use those, no collecting films from the vault every 15 minutes, because they're at the SOG. I haven't seen anyone print anything in at least 3 years so that's a red herring.
So currently. the LDS Team seem to focus on their own projects and helping anyone who asks for advice.
They're lovely people, I hope it continues
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StevieSteve
I couldn't agree more!
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So you see, Guy, that not all volunteers are computer illiterate and unable to post a message on social media sites.
I did not say they were but in most FHCs only certain staff can upload things to the website, not just any volunteer. As for posting on social media how would that help, messages on twitter and facebook do not automatically go to everyong on twitter or facebook they are confined to specific groupings.
Just like a forum any can read the message if the specifically go to that forum.
Smudwhisk and I have also TRIED to point out the various ways we show our appreciation to the LDS Church who provide this excellent resource but you're ignoring them. How else can we show our appreciation other than buying microfilms, donating paper (or other consumables) and indexing records? I have also helped with the cleaning when I've arrived early. If I was a millionaire I would help financially but most users of the Centres are not, so we can only help in small ways. We're not all selfish freeloaders.
I was not asking if people appreciated the LDS Church but questioning why people thought it was acceptable to ask people who were already giving their time and if a member of the Church their money to provided patrons with facilities and access to records to do even more for those patrons.
I was not even calling people freeloaders but asking why people thought the volunteers should do even more for them?
Can’t we just appreciate what they do for us without asking for more?
After all it was you who said_
Thanks smudwhisk
I don't feel that I should phone before every visit if I go there 2 or 3 times a week.
DSusdan
But you wanted them to phone you if the FHC had to shut unexpectedly.
Obviously my expectations are different from yours. I would blame myself for not checking if the venue I visited was closed or if that was not possible simply understand that there had been a problem and carried on to do something else, but you and others seem to think that the venue should contact you in some way.
Obviously I am out of touch.
Cheers
Guy
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We'll agree to disagree, there's not much point in all of this. You seem to still think that we are all demanding divas who like to work people to death, which is blatantly untrue.
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Also, if your issue is that we can access these records for free, I would be more than willing to pay a fee for each visit I make, I think it would be well worth it.
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As for posting on social media how would that help, messages on twitter and facebook do not automatically go to everyong on twitter or facebook they are confined to specific groupings.
Just like a forum any can read the message if the specifically go to that forum.
Er, yes. Instead of phoning before you leave as you suggested, you look at the status. Saves time, doesn't continually interrupt anyone
Obviously I am out of touch.
Cheers
Guy