FamilySearch.org, the Mormon genealogical site, has announced that, as of Sept. 1, microfilm no longer will be loaned to patrons at the worldwide Family History Centers.
The last date to order film to use at the centers is August 31. Films currently at the centers will remain there, as far as we know now. All current loans and any this summer will be converted to “extended” time and will not need to be returned.
The microfilm loan program has existed for 80 years. It is being replaced by the digitization of all the records. The goal is to have all the records digitized and uploaded at FamilySearch.org by December 2020. If you check the site and a camera icon appears at the far right of a listing, it has been digitized and you can view for free from your computer. If a microfilm reel icon appears at the right, then it is still available only on microfilm.
This sea-change will put a major crimp in many people’s methodical research projects. During this three-year gap, they will either have to visit the county or state archives related to their research, hire a researcher, or go to Salt Lake City to use the collection.
The Family History Centers locally have asked that current patrons and future ones still come to the centers to avail themselves of other services: access to microfilm and books on site, use of research websites and any classes offered. Low visitation at Family History Centers may cause some to curtail activities. Now is the time to learn how to access the vast amount of free research material on FamilySearch.org from all over the world. There is a goldmine awaiting you.
Ancestry.comDNA: Some research tips
Ancestry.com’s DNA program can be more useful if you try a few new things. One, in order for some family trees to link, you may need to vary the spelling of certain surnames. I found that, while I spell the name Christenberry, I don’t match known relatives who spell it Christenbury, so I had to change one ancestral spelling to cause a family tree match. Second, you can test out a name on your tree by adding a suspected ancestor and then searching to see who else has that name on their tree. You can always remove them later. Thirdly, there is a guide called “AncestryDNAHelper” that is worth downloading.
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Michael Lacopo, National Genealogical Society lecturer, ended his family case study with: “Don’t be just a chart filler, but tell the story.” Families will appreciate the stories better than a stack of charts.
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