Steps on obtaining microfilm from a Family History Center

[brujaojos]

They do not use scanners, and they are converting from microfilm cameras to digital cameras as the preferred choice, as flash is damaging to the documents. No further detail then the above.

So if I were to invest in a high tech digital camera, what are my chances at the parish priest letting me have a crack at the books, like a snowballs chance in *ell?? Although from what I understand the family name was on a plaque in the front pew, or was once upon a time........

wldspirit

Dear Wldspirit,

I know at the FHC where I volunteer at, we allow people to use digital cameras, however, most still prefer the microfilm printer we have for we have a fairly new one. However, each FHC might be a little different with what they allow and not allow.

Now as to using a digital camera in Italy, that would all be up to the person in charge if they would allow you. I know of a few towns that allowed digital cameras to be used and they were Roscigno, Riccia, San Giovanni in Galdo, and several towns in Calabria. So there is a good chance you will be allowed to us a digital camera.

Hope this helps.
Trish

[wldspirit]

I truly appreciate everyones effort here, thanks.

When we get to Italy, I want to be able to collect as much information
as I possibly can. After all, it's not like jumping in the car and running an
afternoon errand!! We are going to be staying near Rome with family, which is a distance from Talamello. Hence all the questions with regard to
types of equipment used to copy documents.

wldspirit

[jmtc77]

Hi I copied some parish archives for my researches and what I use is a sony digital camera with a stand and a remote control. I think it is the best cost/result solution.
Some priests are really enthusiastic to have a copy of their archives while others are just not interested at all.
Any way I found out they are positive about having a copy of their archive.
Honestly the microfilming camera is a pain (I used to work for LDS church here in Padova to copy the archive here) and it is really expensive, then you need a totally dark room, a thing that most of the parished can not provide.

[mfjp]

I made it to my FHC today fighting the winter storm along the way. Luckily I was the first one there and got to hog the digital-cd copier...

I couldn't wait to get home to start reading the files... but couldn't even mount my CD on the desktop. From there I went a Kodak picture maker machine which previewed all the files... so I know the files are in the CD... (3 hours worth of copying... 8O )

Lesson here... if you are on a MAC computer you may have a 50-50 chance of being able to view these as I have. They worked for me before, but not this time. The volunteers supplied the CD and formatted it for me.

Also, if using a digital camera to shoot, don't forget to shut off the flash. It will not image correctly, and it will bother the other researchers. If your camera has b/w features, use that as well. If you have a memory card for your camera, you may consider using it. Low quality shots (say 1 star) will be very pixilated on the computer monitor when you have to enlarge it.

Remember to recharge your batteries, and it wouldn't hurt to bring an extra set.

Sometimes... paper copies of the documents are better! You could also photograph paper copies at home should you wish to have a digital copy as well...

[wldspirit]

jmtc..........Thank you, your post clarified which direction I should proceed
in. Do you mind my asking specifically which sony digital camera you use? I am going to conduct some experiments with my current digital
camera, and if the results are not satisfactory, then I would like to purchase a new camera.

As for the parish priest allowing access, I can only hope......I am going to
send a letter out asap...........and light a few candles while I'm at it!

mfjp..............excellent pointers with regard to digital cameras!! I've had
mine for two years, and only used it twice.I'm really not that familiar with it, I prefer my 35 mm.

As for weather, I can totally relate!! Today is the first day we have hit double digit temps. I long for spring.........

wldspirit

[wldspirit]

Dear wildspirit,
I also wrote 3 email to FHC in Utah, but they never answered.
I'm looking for the S. Pietro church, Trapani, Italy microfilm.
That is where my ancestors were baptised, married and maybe had funeral.
It is diffucult to have a permit to have a look for church records in Trapani. (any suggestion or idea ?)
I attend the FHL in Trento, Italy. They have not printer or cd writer, in Trento I can just see the microfilm.
The man in charge is very good person.
Bye ricbru

I am sure there is someone here who can give you suggestions and idea's
better than I could,........this is all new to me.........sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

wldspirit

[jmtc77]

Hi I am using a Sony Mavica MV CD 500, because I can use the mini cd insteas of other types of memories that are pretty expensive.
Regards
Joel

[wldspirit]

Thanks Joel.....

wldspirit

[lola66]

WLDSPIRIT to find the microfilms for trapani, visit www.familysearch.org. There you can search the FHC film archives for you town. I did a quick check on trapani and found several films for the area. for what you are looking for oyu will need to staart with the Civile Registration records which will give you births deaths marriages, etc....

To do the search visit the site and click Family Histor Catalog. conduct a place search, and enter Trapani. You wil find several catagories that will contain the FHC film numbers for you to order.

GOOD LUCK!

[DonnaPellegrin]

mfjp and say,

mfjp, it sounds like you didn't "close" the CD before you ejected it from the machine. You have three options when you eject your CD:
1. leave the CD as is.
2. close the CD so that it can be read on most computers, but allow more data to be added later.
3. close the CD so that it can be read on any computer, but allow no further data to be added later.

It sounds like you chose to leave the CD as it was. This means that the digital imaging system did not write the FAT table onto your CD and your computer couldn't find the documents. You need to go back to the Family History Center and "close" the CD on the same machine you used before. Or you need to buy a program for your computer called Direct CD which can read CDs without the FAT table.

Also, if I may pass along two valuable tips that I have picked up. If you go into the settings area and the "more settings" area on the digital imaging device look for the setting called "edge sharpness". Be sure it is set to the max. I have found that it makes a world of difference on how sharp the text is. Also if you use the Auto page size setting, it will save you FHC on toner, because it will automatically eliminate the black edges around the image.

say,
I use the East Cincinnati Family History Center in the Montgomery, Blue Ash area.

Good luck!

[say]

Donna,
I think we must be dealing with 2 different states..... Do you live in Ohio?\
Sherry

[mfjp]

Hi Donna, will print what you wrote and take your advice with me next time I go to the FHC! Thank you so much, I appreciate your advice. This digital imaging system is new there too.

They supply the CD-R, they format, and finish it off for you... I can also take back the same CD to add on... my job there was to just view my film.. select my images, size it, adjust the brightness - contrast - invert - and so on, name and then copy on to the CD... once I was done with my film, I called them to finalize everything else.

Sorry, I am PC challenged ... and have used mainly Macs for about 15 years... I do have my own CD and DVD burner and have never had to "format" as they do at the FHC...

Because of time restrictions, I enhance my shots at home using the "sharpen" features in Photoshop, as well as other features... which certainly helps, but only use these if I use the documents as presentation pieces (gifts)...

I will be off to my neighbors soon to see if he can view.

Thank you for letting me know about auto page setting and sharpen to the max features as this would save me time in the long run. I will also check out Direct CD.

I could easily go to 2 city reference libraries to research which is just 20 minutes away... but won't.. no cameras allowed. I would rather spent alot more time traveling to the FHC that I attend because of general atmosphere (very nice) and because everyone shares your same interests. I have a great time there. Because more people are researching at my FHC, monies raised was able to purchase better equipment.

I may go in the morning to have them "close" the CD for me...

Once again, thank you!
mfjp

[wldspirit]

lola, thanks for the info.....but I am not looking for
Trapani.........ricbru is.....so hopefully he will see this...
my main interest is in Talamello.

wldspirit

[brujaojos]

Dear wildspirit,
I attend the FHL in Trento, Italy. They have not printer or cd writer, in Trento I can just see the microfilm.
The man in charge is very good person.
Bye ricbru

Dear Ricbru,

You can view the microfilm at your Family History Center (FHC), correct? I know you stated you don't have a way to print copies of the microfilm, but this is what you can do.

Tell the person in charge to call Family History Center in Utah and ask for "REQUEST FOR PHOTOCOPIES FORM - FORM #31768

On the back of this form you can write down the information you want copied. You need the exact name, the date, the Act number, page number if there is one, and the microfilm number.

The fee should be 25cents a page. However, if you are not specific with the Name, Act Number, Page Number, Microfilm Number and and exact date, they will charge you $2.00 a page. So please have all the correct information.

I hope this helps.
Trish

[ricbru]

Dear Brujajos,
Thanks for the suggestion.
I already filled up the form to have 2 copies, FHL in Utah wanted my credit card number, I wrote down the record and everything, and they charged $ 4 for at least one copy.
It cost me $ 4 for two copies, and I got them after 1 month.
I'm glad I got them because that was tha only way to get those copies, otherwise there was NARA who was asking about $ 18 for a copy.
Thanks FHL. Bye Ricbru