Update on End of FamilySearch Physical Microfilm Delivery Service

FamilySearch have granted a few more days to order delivery of physical microfilms, now until 7 September. Full details on the transition and new arrangements are at FamilySearch Newsroom.

The summary version is:

• Patrons can still order microfilms online until Thursday, September 7, 2017.
• After film ordering ends, if customers need access to a particular film yet to be digitized, they can express interest to have it added to the priority digitization list by contacting FamilySearch Support (Toll Free: 1-866-406-1830). 
• All of the microfilm rented by patrons in the past 5 years have now been digitized by FamilySearch—over 1.5 million microfilms (ca. 1.5 billion images).
• The remaining microfilms are being digitally scanned at a rate of 1,000 films per day and are projected to be complete by 2020.
• New digital images are available as they are scanned in the FamilySearch.org Catalog.
• Films currently on loan in family history centers and affiliate libraries are automatically granted extended loan status.
• Affiliate libraries now have access to nearly all of the restricted image collections as family history centers.
• Visitors to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City will still be able to order needed microfilms to use during their research visits.

Viewing many, perhaps most of the newly digitized films will still require a visit to a local Family History Centre or Affiliated Library, but there will be no charge at LDS facilities and no delay due to mailing a film.

A reminder that those of us in Ottawa are fortunate to have the Ottawa Family History Center at 1017 Prince of Wales Drive with regular hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm; Friday 6:30pm-9:30pm; 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 9:30am-12:30pm. There are two other locations in the Ottawa area although with much more limited hours.

Find locations and hours worldwide from the map at https://www.familysearch.org/locations/#