Sunday, July 13, 2014

PHOTO DUPLICATION REQUESTS ON FAMILY SEARCH – PLUS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LEGACY AND EVERNOTE

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SERVICE WAS DISCONTINUED BY FAMILY SEARCH - EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 5, 2014.  YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT IN THIS POST 


You know what they say “you learn or should learn something new every day.”  Well, count this day a success as I’ve learned about a really wonderful source for getting copies of records that you cannot get online.

I belong to several Facebook groups for genealogy.  I’ve written about the incredible advantages to belonging to these groups/pages on Facebook and this is another great example.  Here is a link to my post - Facebook - How it can be very useful in your research

Not too long ago Deidre Erin Denton, mentioned, on the Detroit Genealogy Facebook page, that she had just received 5 records she had requested via Family Search.  I thought to myself “I didn’t know you could do that.”  Apparently, you can request up to 5 records per month.  And the best thing – it’s FREE! Thanks for the info Deidre.

Today, on the same Detroit Genealogy page I was bemoaning the fact that we don’t have images for the Michigan Death Certificates 1921-1952.  I’m thankful to have the indexed transcriptions, don’t get me wrong.  But, you know how it is.  You want to see the actual document.  

Another nice member of the group (thank you Nancy) reminded me that you can request photo duplications of the certificates or any other record not available online or in a book. 
I decided today was the day and I have completed submission of requests for 5 death certificates I’ve been wanting.  I’ll walk you through the process, which is very easy.  This process can be used for records from anywhere, any state etc.  Here is a link to the page on Family Search that explains the criteria - Photoduplication Services on familysearch.org  

You can read for yourself to see if the record you may be wanting will qualify.

I knew that the records I wanted were from the Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952.  I also knew that those images were not yet online and, to my knowledge, not in any book.
Let’s walk through the process.

NOTE:  I have received several comments via Facebook and this blog, regarding the death certificates for Michigan.  Some people say that the 75 year rule for privacy will only allow them to release images of deaths prior to 1939.  Others say they have received later years.  Please be aware of this when you are ordering Michigan Death Certificates and probably any other vital records from other states.  
Also, be aware that the Seeking Michigan site is scheduled to release the images for the Michigan Death Certificates 1921-1952, some time this year.  Will they release images for all of them or only up to 1938?  I don't know the answer to that at this time.

Once you are on the Photoduplication Services page click on the green icon that says Photo Duplication Request Form.

(Click on any image to enlarge it)

Photo dup service

What you will see next is the actual form for you to fill out.  You don’t even have to print it, you can just fill it out right online and submit it from there.  I always appreciate that.

Photo Duplication Form — FamilySearch

When you find a record on Family Search you see the indexed transcription.  Sometimes there is a little camera indicating there is also an image for that record.  In the case of the Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952, there is no little camera.  However, I had already copied the indexed information from the records I was looking for, into my Legacy database.  

It’s in that indexed information that you will find the Microfilm number and other information you need in order to complete this form.  

Here is what I have from the index for my grand aunt, Ellen Pickard.  I have indicated in RED the items that I need from this text to fill out the request form.
NOTE:  The numbers I am using (ie. GS, Digital Folder etc.) may not be the same ones you have on whatever record you are trying to request.  I would just fill in whatever you can.

Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952

Name: Ellen Pickard
Event Type:Death
Event Date: 31 Mar 1927
Event Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States
Gender: Female
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 01 Apr 1887
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Birth Year (Estimated): 1888
Father's Name: Wm Lindsay
Mother's Name:    
GS Film number: 001972982

Digital Folder Number: 005362579
Image Number:
02341


Here is a copy of the completed form, highlighting certain areas.  I’ve left my personal information out, but, please remember to fill it in when you submit your form.

Photo Duplication Form — FamilySearch_filled out

TIP: I didn’t see an item number or call number in the indexed text, so I submitted the Digital Folder No. instead.  In the space where they ask for Title of record or book and name of parents.  I learned, after my first couple of submissions, that you can put more in that box than just what fits in the space.  I wanted you to see what I submitted so I made a box below the entry area for demonstration purposes.  I didn’t have a page or item number so in that box, I submitted the image number. 

Now, just click on submit request and you’re done. 
  
They say it can take 4-6 weeks.  I’ll be waiting………………

HOW DID I KEEP TRACK OF THE RECORDS I REQUESTED?

In my Legacy 8 database for each individual I made a note of the date & what I had done.  To learn more about Legacy 8, please click on the Legacy icon on the top right of this blog page.

Here is a screenshot of Ellen Lindsay’s Individual Information.

Linday Ellen Ind Info_annotated

I will click on the plus sign (+) for death notes.  You can see that I copied and pasted the index information from Family Search for the Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952 for Ellen Pickard.  And, you can see my note about submitting the photo duplication request.

Lindsay_Ellen_death notes

NOW I WILL MAKE A NOTE IN EVERNOTE FOR ALL THE REQUESTS I SUBMITTED.

This will allow me to keep track of every request I submit and I can even set a reminder in Evernote to tell me when I might start expecting to see the records in my email.  I can also find this note easily (in case I forget where I’ve filed it) because Evernote has such incredible search capabilities. For more information about the use of Evernote for your genealogy research please see my post Evernote - A Very Useful and Free Tool to Help You Organize Your Genealogy and Everything Else

evernote for fs requests

Now the waiting begins.  I will let you know when I receive the records.  Will they send me all 5 of them?  Did I give them all the correct information?

READ THIS POST TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS
FOLLOW UP TO PHOTO DUPLICATION REQUESTS

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl


Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

29 comments:

  1. One caution to note about the Michigan Death Certificates 1921-1952 Collection: Due to Michigan privacy laws you will likely only get copies of certificates prior to 1938 IF they are on the FamilySearch servers; for anything after that you will likely have to get the certificate (pay) through the county of death or from the Michigan Health Dept. Also, remember that the the digital images for this database up to the year 1938 are scheduled to go online at the Archives of Michigan's website, seekingmichigan.org (different servers than FamilySearch) at some point this year. Though there is not a specific release date, we have not heard that this plan is delayed from what was mentioned prior. Note: I don't work for the archives, this is genealogy society grape vine info.

    Gone Researching
    http://goneresearching.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you for your comment. I have been hearing mixed responses regarding the results for Michigan Death certs. Some people agree with you and say we will only get the copies up to 1938 and others say they have received later years. If the 75 year rule does hold true, then you are correct and we will only get copies prior to 1938. I will make an additional note on my post today.
      I am aware of and love the Seeking Michigan site. They have really been a big help to me in my research. Hopefully, for all of us, they will get those images up soon.
      Thanks for stopping by and thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate input from all my readers.

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    2. Diane

      When the death certificate images are finally released on SeekingMichigan.org sometime this year it will most definitely ONLY be those up to 1938 due to the Michigan law. From there an Archives of Michigan representative has previously stated that as another year passes, the certificates for the next year in the collection will be released, i.e. in 2015 we should see the 1939 images released. I hope that help clarifies this.

      If I hear of any delays in the release of the images on SeekingMichigan, I'll let you know.

      Gone Researching

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  2. Thank you so much for this post! I did not know about this service and I'll be trying it right away.

    Karen

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    1. Please let me know how it works for you Karen. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Diane, that's a very useful service that I was completely unaware of. I'll test it to see if they will send images to those of us living within 50 miles of a Family History Center as there is a statement at the bottom of the FamilySearch Photoduplication page asking that people who live that close order the film and search for records there.

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    1. John - Thanks for your comment. I too am within 50 miles of a Family History Center. I guess my requests will also test this rule.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Ray. Thank you for your comment. I am receiving input on this subject from several different sources. It may be that they will only release the images for deaths prior to 1939. However, I've had others say they have received later years. As a result, I have updated my blog post to include a note about this subject.
      I appreciate your input. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. I use FamilySearch Records all of the time and did not realize we could do this. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

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    1. M. I've been using Family Search for years too. I had not heard about this service until it was mentioned on the Detroit Genealogy FB page. What a wonderful surprise for all of us.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Completely unaware that this service existed - I submitted a request today and it is actually from the same collection, Michigan Death Certificates, that you used. I hope I have the luck you have. Thanks for the information.

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    1. Christopher - I hope you have the same luck too. I have heard from several others who have requested the Michigan Death Certs and gotten their requests back. I will say though, that with this information "out there" it may slow them down a bit. Or, maybe not. Please let me know when your certificates arrive. I always enjoy hearing success stories.
      Thank you for stopping by.

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    2. Diane, got my record in the email today! Only a week, I'm impressed. I hope it turns out to be the person I'm looking for, initial look is positive but need to do the analysis. I'll update on my blog (www.digginforfamily.blogspot.com) which I am making an initial post about it now. Thanks again!!

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    3. Christopher,
      You are very welcome. So glad you got your document. I'm going to go and take a look at your blog right now.

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  7. Thanks for the reminder. I'd heard about this service but haven't tried to get images. I like the idea of setting up a reminder in Evernote.

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    1. You're very welcome. I've added to my Evernote entry since this post. I've now listed the next five items I would like to request. I also made an entry in Evernote of the date I received those 4 death certificates. Good luck. I hope you get all the records you request.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. Diane, I finally did a test run. On Nov 28 I sent in for a Virginia marriage record from 1802 and received the image today. I was a bit worried that I might not have given all information on the form but took your advice and put everything in the box! Thank you!

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  8. I've found that some of the records have completely different info, but I'm still going to attempt to get the record anyway.

    For instance, on a death record I wanted, it doesn't have GS Film number, Digital Folder Number, and Image Number but
    Indexing Project (Batch) Number, GS Film number, and Reference ID instead

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    1. Richard - I completely agree that some records have other information. I should mention that in my post and will make an update. I appreciate your input.
      Thank you for stopping by.

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  9. Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952 - Photoduplication Services SUCCESS as of 31 Jul 2014
    http://alleghenyancestryandgenealogytrails.blogspot.com/2014/07/michigan-death-certificates-1921-1952.html

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    1. I'm happy the process worked for you.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. A probably silly question - I'd been meaning to send for the marriage record of my parents, from VA. When I saw this info a couple weeks ago I went into FamilySearch and found the info, the source of that record and all sorts of reference numbers. I filled out and sent a request. I know it's been only 2 weeks but I keep worrying that I didn't do something right. Should there have been some sort of acknowledgement or do I just presume it went in and I'll hear? Do you hear if they, for whatever reason, AREN'T going to send something?
    Hmmm, now I get to try to send this in and have no clue about ANY of these Profile choices.
    (I should just go back to the 19th century.)
    Closest I can get is AIM, it seems to be related to AOL. My e-mail is nonnylou@aol.com (if nothing else works)
    Thanks.
    Nancy Smalley
    Upstate NY

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    1. Nancy,
      I never heard back from family search on any of my requests. They just suddenly sent the requests via email. My longest wait was 3 weeks. I think there have been more requests submitted because of my blog post, so maybe they will take longer to fulfill. I know it's hard to wait...I always get impatient for any records I've requested. Hope yours come to you soon.
      Thanks for stopping by..

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    2. Nancy, I did not receive any confirmation or anything from Family Search either and I worried like you but a week after I got an email with my record. I did mine the same day Diane's post came out so I may have gotten in before the rush. I think it says it can take 4-6 weeks to get your record.

      Good Luck

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  11. Wow! I've never heard of this. So, I'm off to request some photocopies! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Dana. I don't know how I missed replying to your comment. Sorry. Did you ever get the requested copies from family search?

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  12. Sadly, this service was discontinued effective 5 Dec 2014

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    1. Very sadly Ann. I just received my last submitted request via email yesterday. Thanks for the reminder to add the link to the post I wrote about the discontinuation.

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I look forward to reading your comments. If you have any connection to the people mentioned in this blog, please let me know. I write about mine and my husband's ancestors and would welcome new information or meeting a new cousin or two. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.