Sharon Hintze, Director of the London Family History Centre, a regular speaker at TNA, provides an update on FamilySearch. It is rapidly evolving, with new features and collections, and partnerships with commercial organisations.
The presentation starts with a discussion of the history and raison d'etre for the LDS involvement with Family History which leads into discussing the website in its present incarnation. There is a reminder that only about 5% of holdings are online, and that percentage is decreasing as acquisition of new material outstrips the ability to place it online. I was surprised that the same applies to TNA holdings. If you're looking for pre-1857 probate records there's a hint about how to find out about the applicable source and possible access through the FamilySearch microfilm or other medium collection.
Hurrah! You can access audio AND the slides that went along with the presentation, given in mid-January, at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/news-familysearch/ The presentation runs 55 minutes, time well spent.
Thanks, John, that's very useful to know!
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