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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Melbell on Monday 26 March 18 14:37 BST (UK)
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Apologies if this has been discussed/explained before.
How do you view images on Familysearch? I know you have to be logged in, but even when it says there is an image available to see, I can NEVER see them. What am I missing or not doing right please?
I find it very frustrating.
Melbell :(
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I haven't used it in a while but it was rare that I could view any either.
What happens when you click on it - nothing at all or an error message?
Have you got an example someone could try :)
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I have found it depends what collection they are saying they are giving the record from.
"England select marriages" for example hasn't got an image, whereas as "East Sussex Record Office Parish Registers" does (I may have got the names slightly wrong) , so it is worth scrolling down and seeing if the marriage (or whatever) you want is listed more than once, and trying each one for an image.
Having said that, I still find it patchy. And one that I could see an image for one day, didn't have it another day! I had said to my brother how exciting it was to see the image, and he asked if the bride was a spinster or widow, and I said to him 'Ill go back and double check', and it wasn't there any more!
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Usually if there is a camera icon with the entry you are looking at and you click on the camera it will open the image for you or click on the name and a drop down will appear and if there is an image it will appear next to it. Put the mouse on the image and click on it and it should open.
Works for me. ;)
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Back to the original question - I have never had any trouble with the images. Can you cite a specific image that you are unable to see so we can check it out.
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Hello to all who are trying to help me.
Thank you. Sorry, I couldn't reply earlier.
Here's an example - baptism of John Nicholson 30 December 1792 Fareham.
I am logged in and have clicked on the camera. It takes me to a blank black screen saying the image is only available somewhere else.
Melbell
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In the instance you provide as an example - you are doing nothing wrong,
All it is saying is that they have these images BUT NOT ONLINE
and to view them you need to
Access the site at a family history center.
Access the site at a FamilySearch affiliate library.
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Oh OK. Thank you.
So is there any way of telling - when a camera image is shown - whether the image is available on FS, or only elsewhere?
Please.
Melbell
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If there is a key above the camera icon (see attached) next to a film it is restricted to viewing at an FHC or affiliated library, if there is no key above the icon they are viewable at home.
Edit - These only appear when searching in the catalogue.
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But smudwhisk, there doesn't appear to be a key above the camera for the example record in question, assuming I have found the correct one? Clicking on the camera brings up the " access at a family history center, etc." mentioned earlier.
PB
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You are correct about that PB, the icons with a key only appear to show when searching through the catalogue and that is a recent introduction. It looks like you have to expand the entry in the search results prior to clicking on the camera icon to check it doesn't say its restricted. Not as clear unfortunately as the camera and key icon, they could really do with adding them through that view too. :-\
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Dear Smudwhisk
Thank you for your help. I am clearer now - I think! Am I right in saying that you can only view the images if you have found them by searching in the Catalog, not by searching in the Records - even though 'cameras' are sometimes shown there?
Why do they make it so complicated?!!
Anyway, I'll persevere.
Thanks again,
Melbell
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Hi Melbell
Sorry I appear to have confused things somewhat. You can view through the search but only those that are viewable from home (the rest have to be viewed at an FHC etc). Unlike with the catalogue, they've not used different icons to differentiate those viewable from home and those that have restricted access (although they have a third icon that is visible through the search indicating images viewable on other sites). In light of this, what I would suggest you do is click on the entry you are interested in before clicking on the camera icon associated with it. This will expand it and on the right side of the additional information it will tell you whether you can view it or whether it is a restricted image. Hope this clarifies things a little more.
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Thank you Smudwhisk, for your clear explanation and for finding the time to help me. (I really ought to know - I've been using FS/IGI for years and years). :-[
Melbell