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'''Update effective 6 July 2021'''. The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City reopened 6 July 2021 after being closed since March 13, 2020, due to precautions pertaining to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Some FamilySearch Centres and FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries are also '''open''', depending on location. This is a decision which is made '''locally'''. If you live in an area where churches and libraries generally are open, check with your local FamilySearch Centre and/or check with your local Affiliate Library about FamilySearch access. '''In addition'''
<br>'''Update effective 12 August 2021'''. A new computer portal for accessing restricted records was introduced at FamilySearch Centres ('''not''' Affiliate Libraries) which requires changes to each computer in the FamilySearch Centre. Before visiting a FamilySearch Centre, firstly check that computers are available (there is currently (2022/06) a wait for replacements, or you can now (from c January 2023) bring your own laptop or Chromebook, and secondly '''check that the portal is fully functional''', so that restricted records can be accessed.<ref>[https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/102177/family-history-center-portals Family History Center Portals] ''FamilySearch Community Forum'' 15 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021. [https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/451414/#Comment_451414 FHC premium sites need passwords for access] ''FamilySearch Community Forum'' 19 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022. [https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/family-history-center-premium-content-browser-extension FamilySearch Center Premium Content Browser Extension] FamilySearch Help Center article. 2022/06 some Centres were without the Portal due to the requirement to have a fixed IP address (Internet service). 2022/08 many Centres were experiencing access problems (computer system).</ref>
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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?] FamilySearch.</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
==Viewing restricted access online books and databases==
After signing in to FamilySearch, some digitised microfilm databases will display, in the catalogue entry, a camera icon with a key symbol above which advises "this film is viewable with additional restrictions". (If you are not signed in, a key, or microfilm only, or even no symbol may also appear, even for databases viewable on your home computer). However, members of the public can view '''most''' (but not all) of these databases at a FamilySearch Centre on a '''FamilySearch Centre computer''', through the FamilySearch Portal. (Although details are minimal, from c January 2023 it appears that access through your own laptop or other device is possible, provided you are physically present at the FamilySearch Centre but to access the records you will need to download the FamilySearch Portalwhile connected to the LDS Church Liahona WiFi). 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). For the general public, ''' FamilySearch records which were available on microfilm, which have since been digitised, and which originate from the British Library in London can be viewed at a Family History Centre''' and additionally currently (2021/02) can also be viewed at an Affiliate Library. Note however in the past access at Affiliate Libraries has varied, and some microfilms originating from the British Library have not been available at Affiliate Libraries. LDS church members may have additional access.
There appear to be at least four different types of restriction wording seen by signed in, non-LDS church members either currently, or in the past:
'''Note''':
*To access the digitised records '''you will need to Sign In on the computer at the FamilySearch 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 the Family History Centre, you will first need to open the FamilySearch Portal (which must have been previously installed) on the computer, and then sign in with your personal sign in details. (Although details are minimal, and from c January 2023 it appears that access through your own laptop or other device is possible, provided you are physically present at the FamilySearch Centre but to access the records you will need to download the FamilySearch Portal while connected to the LDS Church Liahona WiFi). At an Affiliate Library you will need to make sure that you select a computer which has the FamilySearch portal installed, (exact name not known, perhaps may not include the word portal) and then follow a similar procedure.
*Before you visit a Centre or Affiliate Library, enquire whether it is possible to take a copy of a required record, what means are available, whether there is a charge, whether you can/need to bring a device such as a USB flash drive/memory stick, or whether is is possible to take a screen shot of a record and send it to your home computer. The only way to keep a copy of the record for future reference may be to either to print out a copy on paper, or by using a memory stick. (If you directly "attach" a copy of the record to a person in FamilySearch Family Tree, you will not be able to view the record outside the Family History Centre/Affiliate Library.)
*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 Digitised microfilm viewing restriction query] ''FamilySearch Feedback Forum'' 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.
