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→Ordering microfilms service has now ceased/digitised microfilms
When a microfilm has been digitised it is also, in addition to the microfilm number, allocated a '''DGS''' number, referred to as a Digital Folder number. The latter number appears to becoming the main reference number for a record set. (The URL for a record set has the format (at 2020/02) <nowiki>https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/004769478</nowiki> where the last number is the DGS number).
'''All microfilms have now been digitised, and are available through the Catalogue Search on FamilySearch, not in the Records section. A camera icon (with no other symbol) means the record may be viewed on your home computer, a camera icon with a key above it means the record is available on a restricted basis'''. (No icon at all indicates the record is not available to view digitally) (See images etc<ref>[http://searchtip.genealogytipoftheday.com/?p=2307 Digital Icons at FamilySearch] searchtip.genealogytipoftheday.com; [https://web.archive.org/web/20190114034622/http://dearmyrtle.com/blog2/index.php/2017/09/24/thank-you-for-the-new-icon-familysearch/ Thank-you for the new icon, FamilySearch] dearmyrtle.com, now archived. [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/what-are-notes-or-film-digital-notes-in-the-catalog What are Notes or Film/Digital Notes in the catalog?] FamilySearchHelp Center article.</ref>.) (Note, you need to be signed in, refer below, or a key or microfilm only, or even no symbol may appear for all records.) For non-LDS church researchers, ''' records which originate from the British Library are available to be viewed on a FamilySearch computer, or your own laptop or Chromebook at a FamilySearch Centre''', and additionally most, but perhaps not all, are viewable at Affiliate Libraries, although this may vary over time. See "Viewing 'Protected' access online books and databases" below.
The digitisation of microfilms was completed in September 2021. At that time is was stated "FamilySearch is working to outsource the digitization of its large microfiche collection, which should be completed several years from now"<ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/familysearch-microfilm-collection-digitized/ FamilySearch Completes Massive Microfilm Digitization Project] FamilySearch Blog 21 September 2021</ref>. Note that some microfilms may not be available to view digitally for many years, perhaps decades, due to restrictions in the country of origin of the records, relating to data privacy restrictions, which may be more restrictive for digital images than for microfilms.<ref>Paller
Orvill S. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200802171145/https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/south-africa-dutch-reformed-church-records-stellenbosch-archive-1690-2011 South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 28 February 2018, 23.59, now archived.</ref>
<br>'''Update September 2021: Microfilm ''' July 2023. Microfiche digitisation has been completed, but microfiche still is not digitised, so hoped to be finished in 2024 when all of the following wording digitized microfiche content will probably apply to microfichebe released at the same time. If you have a film you need that has However, not been digitised, (as shown by all of the fact that there is no DGS number), you can reach out to FamilySearch support to express your interest in having that particular film being prioritised earlier in the scanning process,digitized content will be viewable online because of contract restrictions.<ref>The now withdrawn wording was [https://web.archive.org/web/20200808065215/https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-docan-i-request-thata-amicrofiche-microfilmto-be-digitized How do Can I request that a microfilm microfiche to be digitized?], archived wording at 8 August 2020. FamilySearchHelp Center article 6 July 2023.</ref> through the 'icon marked ?/Contact us' at the top right hand corner of the webpage. (Recent changes mean Elsewhere it was advised that in practice you need to post in FamilySearch Community. Post your request in the Q c July 2023 a contract had been signed and A section, category [https://community.familysearch.org/en/categories/search Search] stating it is for the attention of the the Historical Records Team. As part of the process you will be asked digitisation was hoped to register with the Community section, if you have not registered previously).<br>You may also request that books from the FamilySearch catalogue be digitised.<ref>[https://www.familysearchcompleted in about a year.org/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-request-that-familysearch-digitize-a-book Can I request that FamilySearch digitize a book?] FamilySearch</ref>
Note that the digitised microfilm reader may be very sensitive to internet speed, so if you are viewing digitised microfilms on your home computer and having problems, try to pick a time of lower internet demand such as early or late in the day. Personal experience (in the past) was that 1pm, weekday and Saturday, access was extremely unsatisfactory, early Sunday morning was much better. Unsatisfactory viewing conditions may also be experienced at some Centres, either due to internet speed, or for other reasons - you may wish to enquire about this aspect, and if so, whether any particular day or time is better and if you have more than one FHC or Affiliate Library in your area, compare viewing conditions.
Note that researchers have commented that it is much slower viewing records which have been digitised, compared with the same records on microfilm.<ref>Clark, Noel. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200929231947/https://mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=&thread=87364 LDS FHC Microfilms to be ending August 31st] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 16 July 2017, archived.</ref> This finding is magnified if there are problems with internet speed, so it may be worth enquiring whether any Centres near you, including genealogical societies, have retained a copy of the microfilm you are interested in. For some Centres, this information may be obtained through the FamilySearch Catalog where there is an Availability option in the Search. Unclick the Online option and select your local FamilySearch Centre from the menu available. '''Always confirm''' by telephone with your local FHC to ensure information is current. Note however that over time fewer Centres continue to hold microfilms for various reasons including the inability to maintain functioning microfilm readers, and this trend will increase in the future.
The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA retains an extensive collection of microfilms, including all those not available to view digitally,<ref> [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/i-want-to-search-the-microfilms-at-the-family-history-library How can I search microfilms at the FamilySearch Library?]. [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-preorder-films-at-the-family-history-library How do I preorder films at the FamilySearch Library?] FamilySearch HelpCenter Help Center articles. [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/microfilm-fiche-and-cds Microfilm/Fiche and CDs] with link to pre-order films, from [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library]/Collection. FamilySearch. </ref> which can be ordered before your visit (including up until Sat. July 15 2023 <ref>Stephanie V. [https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/147579/microfilm-request-change Microfilm Request Change] ''FamilySearch Community Forum'' 30 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.</ref> those held at Granite Mountain Record Vault) so they will be ready when you arrive, (but you must allow sufficient time), or you may decide to hire a researcher<ref>Nielsen, Jeniann. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200804205858/https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/the-need-for-photoduplication-service-has-not-gone-away The need for photoduplication service has NOT gone away!!!] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 27 July 2019, now archived.</ref>. Books stored off site must also be pre-ordered otherwise you will be unable to access them. You may also request that books from the FamilySearch catalogue be digitised.<ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-request-that-familysearch-digitize-a-book Can I request that FamilySearch digitize a book?] FamilySearch Help Center article.</ref>
==Viewing restricted access online books and databases==
