Family History Library To Discontinue Lending Microfilm

Genealogists who remember the days of sore shoulders and necks obtained from cranking blurry rolls of microfilm probably never thought this day would come. As of the first of September 2017, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City will no longer send out copies of microfilms. As many of you know, the FHL has been digitizing its enormous collection at breakneck speed. They expect to have all of their 1.5 million microfilms converted to digital images by 2020, much sooner than most people thought possible.

All records being captured today are in digital format and many are already posted online. Local family history centers will decide whether to keep the microfilms they already have. Keep in mind, however, that not everything that is on microfilm will be available from the comfort of your home. There are copyright restrictions on many records and books, meaning that they will only be available to patrons in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Another great reason to come with us on our annual research trip each fall!

To read the complete news release from the Family History Library, go to
https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/familysearch-microfilm-discontinuation?lang=eng

(Thanks to Pat Stamm for alerting us to this breaking news.)