Last weekend I went to the St. Louis County Library’s genealogy room to access some documents I’d found on Family Search that were only available for viewing from the Family History Library or an affiliate library. I had stored links to these documents in Evernote until I had a few lookups to do.
When I got there and logged on to the library’s wifi, I was disappointed to get the same message I’d received at home (pictured above). I consulted with the librarian, who was able to access the first document on her computer. She didn’t know why I couldn’t access it on mine, but suggested I use the library’s computers. I did that, but I would have much preferred being on my own laptop, since the documents I was trying to access were hyperlinked on my computer. (I didn’t think of accessing my Evernote account on the library’s computer.) I also would have much preferred to download the documents directly to my computer, rather than onto a flash drive. And I didn’t enjoy fumbling around with Windows when I’m used to a Mac.
When I got home, I realized I’d not properly captured the source information. So back I went to the library three days later.
I had the same problem accessing the documents and I asked a different librarian for help. He made a brilliant suggestion:
Try another browser.
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it. I like to use Safari on my Mac, but Safari sometimes doesn’t play well with others. When I tried to access the document on Chrome, there it was.
So if you’re in a library where you should be able to access a Family Search document and can’t, just try another browser.
Edited to add: According to some comments I received on Facebook, this browsing-switching phenomenon as it relates to Family Search might be specific to the St. Louis County Library. So your mileage may vary.
Now, why didn’t I think of that!? Good suggestion!
That’s exactly what I said to the guy who made that suggestion to me! Glad you found it helpful.
Wow! Several of us at a Family History Center settled for one person’s test from her laptop that showed that “the portal” wasn’t accessible from a personal laptop. She told us her results, and we didn’t bother to try for ourselves or try other browsers. This is a big lesson, Janine. Thank you.
If it ever happens to you again, you can be the hero, Marian!
I use OneNote (resident on my computer) and use the links I have saved from FamilySearch to go back and enlarge the acts to read them more easily. I found out that when I click on the link, it opens in regular Internet Explorer (on my computer) and the acts I wanted NEVER show up, but if I copy the link in Google Chrome the register opens at the correct page and I can proceed with no problem. Goes along with what you found out. Thanks for the tip.
Yes, I have the same problem in that Evernote opens straight Safari. Ordinarily I like that, because Safari is my favorite browser. But I might be smart to change the default browser in Evernote to avoid this problem in the future. (But of course now I know the secret. :))
Great info to have, thanks Janine
You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting, Maz.
Thanks for the great info!
Switching to Chrome was an “upgrade” that Family Search made. It definitely works better.
So, what do you do if you absolutely can NOT visit a Family Search Library/Affiliate due to medical reasons, and your only way for researching is from home? Online?
There are some documents on Family Search that can’t be viewed from home, but there are many, many that can. Ancestry, of course, has lots of downloadable documents available. I’d suggest also looking at Cyndi’s List (www.cyndislist.com) for links to other sites you can access from home.
Ive had the same issue at home, using Safari on my Mac. It will tell me the document is only available at the library, but if I open Chrome, I can access the document. I now use Chrome for all online research on FamilySearch!
Oh my gosh, I didn’t think of that! Thanks for the tip! I’ll try it next time I get that message (or I’ll just start doing all my FamilySearch research in Chrome)!