Recently, I decided to test out FamilySearch’s new online
microfilm ordering system. I’d noticed
and made good use of their recent document scanning binge and while that’s not
a perfect system, it seemed to be a good time to look into ordering microfilm
of their non-scanned records.
Before the current online system was available, one had to
trek to their local Family History Center to place an order for microfilm and
payment could only be done with either a check or cash. Then once the order was placed, you had to
keep calling the FHC in order to find out if your microfilm had come in or
not.
I created a login and profile on the FamilySearch website,
and chose a Family History Center in my area to be my ‘neighborhood FHC’ and
then basically went shopping for microfilm.
It was a fairly easy process to navigate, almost as if I was buying
something off of Amazon.com. I was still
nervous going through the process for the first time, because you never know if
something unexpected will happen during an online shopping process.
As like the old system, there was still the lengthy wait for
the microfilm, but that’s just the nature of the beast of doing genealogical
research. I did keep checking up on my
order because in the process of placing the order it wasn’t quite clear whether
or not I would receive an email that my order was waiting for me at my local
FHC. I did try looking around on their
website to find out if I would be notified and since it wasn’t clear, I went
ahead and emailed them to ask. The
response I received was very kind and assured me that the status of my order
would change from pending, in process, and then received. Also, I was told that I would receive an
email telling me that each roll I’d ordered was at my local FHC.
I waited for about two to three weeks and did finally
receive an email letting me know that my order was waiting for me at my
FHC. Then I went in and was able to
view it, just I’d done in the past.
Anyone who hasn’t tried this new system should definitely use it,
because it’s a heck of a lot more convenient than the old one. Patrons don’t have to keep calling up their
FHC and bugging the volunteer there about their order.
