WVGS patrons have been unable to access microfilm records the FamilySearch catalog states should be viewable at an affiliate library.
The WVGS Library retains FamilySearch microfilm that can be viewed in the library. To see available microfilm, go to Resources->Catalog, change the Keyword selector to Dewey, enter FM in the search box, and then click Search Catalog. That will list all our microfilm. You can refine the search to see if we have what you are looking for.
FamilySearch Microfilm:
Below is how to interpret results of searches of familysearch.org that result in microfilmed records.
FamilySearch discontinued loaning microfilm to family history centers and affiliate libraries in September 2017. They finished digitizing all their microfilm in September 2021:
FamilySearch microfilm may be available in some family history centers or affiliate libraries if it was in their permanent collection before September 2017, but in general only digitized images of microfilm are available.
Only a few entries in the FamilySearch catalog now have a microfilm icon (film reel). The ones we’ve seen are LDS membership records and extra copies of physical books under copyright. (Example 1)
FamilySearch Digitized Images:
Some images may be viewed at home, others at an affiliate library like WVGS, and some only at a family history center. To determine the location, one must view the item in the FamilySearch catalog from a home computer. It’s not possible to tell from a WVGS computer what is viewable from home because both “viewable from home” and “viewable at an affiliate library” will appear with the camera icon.
- Viewable from home (camera icon) – click on the icon to view the record. (Example 2)
- Viewable at an affiliate library (camera icon with key on top) – after clicking on the icon, the pop-up screen must say “access the site at a FamilySearch affiliate library.” (Examples 3 and 4)
- Viewable only at a family history center (camera icon with key on top) – after clicking on the icon, the pop-up screen will say “access the site at a family history center.” (Example 5)
We do not have an example, but there may be some images that are viewable only at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City.