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Most microfilms are expected to be digitized and available by 2020. Microfiches will be digitised after the digitisation of microfilms has been completed. 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
Orvill S. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200802171145/https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/south-africa-dutch-reformed-church-records-stellenbosch-archive-1690-2011#reply_19359305 South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 28 February 2018, 23.59. Retrieved 2 March 2018, now archived. </ref>
If you have a film you need that has not been digitised, (as shown by 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,<ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/ask/faq#question06 What if a microfilm I need for my research is not available digitally on FamilySearch.org?] FamilySearch. Currently (2019 October) microfiche cannot be digitised.</ref> through the 'icon marked ?/Contact us' at the top right hand corner of the webpage, requesting the Historical Records Team.<ref>[https://www.familysearch.org/ask/salesforce/viewArticle?urlname=Requesting-that-FamilySearch-digitize-scan-a-microfilm&lang=en Requesting that FamilySearch digitize (scan) a microfilm] 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, try to pick a time of lower internet demand such as early or late in the day. Personal experience 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://listsweb.rootswebarchive.ancestry.comorg/web/20200929231947/hyperkittyhttps:/list/india@mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=&thread/=87364/ LDS FHC Microfilms to be ending August 31st] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 16 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018, 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 Family History Centre from the menu available. '''Always confirm''' by telephone with your local FHC to ensure information is current.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA retains an extensive collection of microfilms, including all those not yet digitised,<ref> [https://www.familysearch.org/ask/faq#question15 Will microfilm continue to be available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City?] FamilySearch</ref> (which can be ordered before your visit so they will be ready when you arrive, 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#reply_20216500 The need for photoduplication service has NOT gone away!!!] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 27 July 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019, now archived.</ref>).
==Viewing restricted access online books and databases==
There appear to be at least five different types of restriction wording seen by signed in, non-LDS church members either currently, or in the past:
*"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://web.archive.org/web/20200716000236/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, now archived.</ref> This wording has not yet been seen on India related digitised microfilms, but if it appears, discuss with you local FamilySearch Centre, whether there will be a Centre volunteer available, who is a LDS church member, who can sign in on your behalf. Note: Now apparently withdrawn, see below.
*"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."
'''Note''':
*To access the digitised records, '''you will need to Sign In on the computer at the Family History Centre or Affiliate Library using your personal Sign In details''', refer [[FamilySearch#India Records| FamilySearch, section India Records]], so '''take your user name and password with you''', or you may experience delays.<ref>November and December 2017 Newsletters from [http://www.sag.org.au/engage/keep-up-to-date-with-us/our-enewsletter-sag-e/past-sag-e-newsletters.html Society of Australian Genealogists], a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, and April 2018 Newsletter from [http://www.sog.org.uk/uploads/Newsletters/SoG_monthly_newsletter_apr_2018.pdf Society of Genealogists], London, a FamilySearch Affiliate Library</ref>
*At times (c 2019 January, and still ongoing early April 2019), when trying to access a digital file, a message ""Image Unavailable. This image is unavailable for online viewing at this time." has been seen. However it appears this is some sort of error, and if you re-access the digital file (multiple times if necessary), the usual message that it can be viewed at a FHC or Affiliate Library should appear, and the films become viewable.<ref>Millar, Stewart [https://web.archive.org/web/20200802193229/https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/digitised-microfilm-viewing-restriction-query#reply_19941053 Digitised microfilm viewing restriction query] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019, now archived.</ref>. '''Update'''. June 2019, this error appears to have been fixed, but details have been left for information in the event of a re-occurrence.
*Some Affiliate Libraries such as genealogical societies may charge a '''visitor research fee''' if you are not a genealogical society member.
**Includes a link to the Family History Library on Facebook.
**includes a link to "How to donate to the Family History Library" in respect of books etc.
:For non standard telephone enquires, try the Family History Library Director's assistant (details<ref>Archibald, Amy. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190109092613/https://getsatisfaction.com/familysearch/topics/have-you-considered-having-a-return-book-cart-on-the-second-floor-for-those-of-us-who-retrieve-a-book#reply_19941662 Have you considered having a "Return book" cart on the second floor for those of us who retrieve a book from the third floor?] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 8 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019, now archived.</ref>).
:For email contact, try <nowiki>support@familysearch.org</nowiki> with “Family History Library” as the subject. (This is suggested by analogy, see Affiliate Libraries, below.)
:[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Category:Family_History_Library Category:Family History Library] FamilySearch Wiki
