FamilySearch
Digital Records Access Replacing Microfilm
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (26 June 2017)—
FamilySearch,
a world genealogy leader and nonprofit, announced today its plans to
discontinue its 80-year-old microfilm distribution service. The transition is
the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm
digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology. The last day
for ordering microfilm will be August 31, 2017. Online access to digital images
of the world's historic records allows FamilySearch to service more people
around the globe, faster and more efficiently. See
Finding
Digital Images of Records on FamilySearch.org and
Frequently
Asked Questions for additional information. Find and share this
announcement online in the
FamilySearch
Newsroom.
A global leader in historic records preservation and access, FamilySearch
and its predecessors began using microfilm in 1938, amassing billions of the
world’s genealogical records in its collections from over 200 countries. Why
the shift from microfilm to digital? Diane Loosle, Director of the Patron
Services Division said, "Preserving historic records is only one half of
the equation. Making them easily accessible to family historians and
researchers worldwide when they need them is the other crucial component."
Loosle noted that FamilySearch will continue to preserve the master copies
of its original microfilms in its Granite Mountain Records Vault as added
backup to the digital copies online.
As the Internet has become more accessible to people worldwide over the past
two decades, FamilySearch made the decision to convert its preservation and
access strategy to digital. No small task for an organization with 2.4 million
rolls of microfilm in inventory and a distribution network of over 5,000 family
history centers and affiliate libraries worldwide.
It began the transition to digital preservation years ago. It not only
focused on converting its massive microfilm collection, but also in replacing
its microfilm cameras in the field. All microfilm cameras have been replaced
with over 300 specialized digital cameras that significantly decrease the time
required to make historic records images accessible online.
FamilySearch has now digitally reproduced the bulk of its microfilm
collection—over 1.5 billion images so far—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.
Digital image collections can be accessed today in three places at
FamilySearch.org. Using the Search feature, you can find them in
Records
(check out the
Browse all published collections link),
Books,
and the
Catalog.
For additional help, see
Finding
Digital Images of Records on FamilySearch.org.
Transitioning from microfilm to digital creates a fun opportunity for
FamilySearch's family history center network. Centers will focus on simplified,
one-on-one experiences for patrons, and continue to provide access to relevant
technology, popular premium subscription services, and restricted digital
record collections not available to patrons from home.
Centers and affiliate libraries will coordinate with local leaders and
administrators to manage their current microfilm collections on loan from
FamilySearch, and determine when to return films that are already published
online. For more information, see
Digital
Records Access Replacing Microfilm.
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the
world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use
FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family
history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have
been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide
for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free
online at FamilySearch.org or through over 5,000 family history centers in
129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
