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'''FamilySearch Centre''' (Center) is the umbrella term used for all of the centre locations. However most are still individually called '''Family History Centres''' (Centers)
'''FamilySearch Centres''' are local branches of the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City and can be found worldwide. Access to digitised microfilms and microfiche in the Family History Library are available at these centres. However, ordering of microfilms has now ceased (September 2017), to be replaced in time by digitised versions, refer details below. You do not have to be a member of the LDS to use a centre or their resources. Read the FamilySearch Wiki article [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Introduction_to_LDS_Family_History_Centers Introduction to LDS Family History Centers] for more details.
In addition, there are Affiliate Libraries, which may be public libraries, or libraries connected with genealogical societies, etc. Often an Affiliate Library will have longer operating hours than a FamilySearch Centre, or perhaps may be larger institutions with more computers available to view records. However, some records cannot be viewed at an Affiliate Library.
'''Always confirm opening times prior to a visit''', as the website details, even if available, may not be up to date. Also confirm the address. Website details for some Centres do not include the address. (For one Affiliate Library noted, which is known to operate at two different addresses, only one address appears on the FamilySearch web details, which is different to the information appearing on the Affiliate Library's website).
==Photocopy Service service from Salt Lake City has now ceased==
The previous photocopy service ceased 5 December 2014.
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.
'''Some microfilms have already 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'''. (See images<ref>[http://searchtip.genealogytipoftheday.com/?p=2307 Digital Icons at FamilySearch] searchtip.genealogytipoftheday.com; [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</ref>.) (Note, you need to be signedin, refer below, or a key symbol may appear for all records.) For non-LDS church researchers, '''All records which originate from the British Library are only available to be viewed on a FamilySearch computer at a FamilySearch Centre''', and additionally some, but not all, are viewable at Affiliate Libraries. See "Viewing 'Protected' access online books and databases" below.
Most microfilms are expected to be digitized and available by 2020. However, some may not be available 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
==Viewing restricted access online books and databases==
After signing in, some [[Online books#Family History Books| online books]] and databases provided by the Family History Library will display a camera icon with a key symbol above which advises "this film is viewable with additional restrictions". (If you are not signed in, the key symbol may also appear). However, members of the public can view these online books and databases at a FamilySearch Centre on a Family History Library computer. Some digital databases may also be viewed at Affiliate Libraries, which may have longer opening hours than a FamilySearch Centre. Contact your FamilySearch Centre prior to visiting to advise your requirements and, if it is possible, '''book a suitable computer''' (after enquiring whether internet image viewing varies by day or time, or there is poor viewing generally, refer section above). '''All FamilySearch records which were available on microfilm, which have since been digitised, and which originate from the British Library in London can only be viewed at a Family History Centre''' and additionally some, but not all, can also be viewed at an Affiliate Library.
There appear to be at least five different types of restriction wording:
*"Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
:Note: It appears to be the practice that a LDS church member will sign you in at a FamilySearch Centre in this circumstance.<ref>Linda. [https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/viewing-restricted-images-at-fhc-by-non-members#reply_19730362 Viewing restricted images at FHC by non-members] ''Family Search Feedback Forum'' 31 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.</ref> This wording has not yet been seen on India related digitised microfilms, but if it appears, discuss with you local FamilySearch Centre, whether one of the there will be a Centre volunteers volunteer available, who is a LDS church member, who can sign in on your behalf.
*"Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Access the site at a family history center".
*"Sign in to Familysearch.org as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Access the site at a family history center. Access the site at a FamilySearch affiliate library."
