Rows and rows of microfilm storage at the Family History Library
FamilySearch announced today that it has completed its massive project to digitize its microfilm holdings. A staggering 2.4 million rolls of microfilm have been digitized. The project, which began in 1998, was anticipated to take 50 years. Thanks to the development of faster technology, the timeline was shortened by 27 years. Amazing.
FamilySearch’s archive is freely available to anyone with an internet connection and a free account. This digital archive contains information 11.5 billion individuals in over 200 countries.
According to this informative FamilySearch press release about the achievement, “To explore FamilySearch’s free collections of indexed records and images, go to FamilySearch.org and search both ‘Records’ and ‘Images’. The Images feature enables users to peruse digitized images from the microfilm collection and more. A free FamilySearch account will be required to access the service.” I’ll add that I find a lot of digitized images by searching the Catalog by location.
FamilySearch began microfilming documents in 1938. In the past, duplicates of the microfilms were lent to researchers through local Family History Centers, which was much more convenient than having to travel to see them at the Family History Library. In 2017, FamilySearch ended that program when it began to transition to all-online access. It couldn’t be more convenient. (The microfilm collection will be preserved.)
Today’s freely available archive has been in the works for 83 years now. Modern genealogists are the beneficiaries!
Check out this video describing the achievement:
Congratulations, to the men and women who spent countless hours, days, months, and years, digitizing the Family History Library microfilm collection. Thanks Janine for sharing this important information.
What a legacy the volunteers have left for future generations! May God bless them!
Well done, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
I figure this includes all the microfilm housed in the Family History Library but does it also include everything in the Granite Mountain Vault? (My guess is yes – based on the video – but I’m just double-checking.)