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June 21, 2018

What Is a FamilySearch.org Affiliate Library?

What Is a FamilySearch.org Affiliate Library?

By: Nancy Massey

What Is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library?

The Hamilton East Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate library. Since FamilySearch.org stopped microfilm ordering, many digitized microfilms at FamilySearch.org have a message that states they may only be accessed at a Family History Center or a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

As a FamilySearch affiliate library, researchers will have onsite access to more than two billion digitized records, including 400 million images that are not currently available to the public outside an affiliate library or a FamilySearch family history center.  While anyone can access the basic FamilySearch collection from their own home computers, the additional 400 million images that will be available right in Noblesville or Fishers at the Hamilton East Public Library will be a great addition to the resources HEPL offers at Fishers and in the Indiana Room in Noblesville.

Users must sign in to their free FamilySearch.org accounts in order to search the website at either the Fishers or Noblesville buildings. Search the catalog for a digital microfilm collection. The restricted access digital microfilm collections will display on the HEPL computers without the key icon above the camera because access is ‘unlocked’ through the connection to the Hamilton East Public Library.

While HEPL’s affiliate library status allows access to restricted views, some restricted views are limited solely to Family History Centers due to copyright contractual agreements. As FamilySearch.org renegotiates these agreements, these views may also become available to affiliate libraries. If not available now, keep checking back.

Some of the digitized books on FamilySearch.org have viewing restrictions. If a digitized item comes with “ExLibris Rosetta” in the top left corner and an error message in the center of the screen, the content is from a digitized book with restrictions that do not allow viewing by patrons in an affiliate library.

Our Indiana Room in Noblesville is a great place to conduct genealogy research.  Our database computers offer links to multiple genealogy databases including FamilySearch.  Printing is 10 cents for black and white copies and 25 cents for color. To maximize your research, bring a flash drive and save your work electronically.  You may access FamilySearch at our computers in Fishers, as well, if you live closer to that library building. If you need any assistance in using FamilySearch.org, our staff in both buildings would be happy to help.

For more information on FamilySearch.org digital collections, please read this article on digital records at the FamilySearch.org website.

Happy Ancestor Hunting!  May you find the records you need to track them down!