Forum | PolishOrigins :: View topic - ?What is Happening to Family Search (LDS)?

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C J Schmidt

Joined: 27 Mar 2022
Replies: 47
Location: Wisconsin, USA
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Posted: 5 Days ago at 12:05 pm Post subject: ?What is Happening to Family Search (LDS)?

What in the world is happening over at the Family Search . org website?
I know that they were in the process of upgrading, but something is very wrong.

Some records that used to be available for searching and viewing, now shut off.

Search engine wacko incoherent, specific search location, with first and last name and no results to the specific person.

The minor revisions to the site for viewing ick.

What in the world is going on???

C J Schmidt

Sophia
PO Top Contributor

Joined: 05 Oct 2014
Replies: 1287

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 10:35 am Post subject: Re: ?What is Happening to Family Search (LDS)?

C J Schmidt wrote:

Hi Carla,

I think that what is happening is a changeover to artificial intelligence, rather than relying on volunteer (human) indexers. I share your observation that records which used to be available to view freely online are now locked, and since I lack sufficient polite words to express my reaction to that trend, I will just echo your criticism: "ick."

If there is some specific item that you know the search engine used to be able to find for you prior to its becoming "wacko incoherent" (love that description) that you now are unable to find, and you'd like someone to assist in figuring out how to sweet-talk the current search engine into revealing it again, feel free to post some specifics and I may help you hunt.

All the best,
Sophia

Trish
PO Top Contributor

Joined: 23 Sep 2020
Replies: 446

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Posted: Yesterday at 11:08 am Post subject:

Hi C.J. and Sophia,

I agree with both of you. At one time I had access to a lot of records on family search. Now most of the records are locked, meaning you have to go to a family history center to go view the records. Sad thing is not everyone has access to a FHC. But like Sophia said, if you ask a question maybe one of us on the forum know how to find the record.

I am sure you are aware of the following websites for records. Sophia is great at giving instructions how to use these websites.

https://www.genealogiawarchiwach.pl/

https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl/

https://geneteka.genealodzy.pl/

There are other websites for records that I'm sure people on the forum can share with us.

I did find this link from family search that may help.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Poland_Online_Genealogy_Records

Regards,
Trish

C J Schmidt

Joined: 27 Mar 2022
Replies: 47
Location: Wisconsin, USA
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Posted: Yesterday at 11:33 am Post subject: ?What is Happening to Family Search (LDS)?

Hi Trish and Sophia,

Thank you for the replies.

I did post a similar comment at the Family Search community, Ask a question forum...
So far no answer. Someone else was also asking a similar question about the records availability.

I would like to add to Sophia's list of sites with records available online.
Many records for the Northern Poland regions available at:
https://metryki.genbaza.pl/

Thanks again,
Carla

Sophia
PO Top Contributor

Joined: 05 Oct 2014
Replies: 1287

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Posted: Yesterday at 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: ?What is Happening to Family Search (LDS)?

C J Schmidt wrote:

Hi Carla and Trish,

I wonder whether records are being temporarily removed from our access in order to let Family Search's artificial intelligence go through the images to index them prior to re-opening access. There was also some talk about them using AI to translate documents. Carla, if you do receive a reply to your question in the Family Search community and they give you some explanation to this effect, could you please come back and let us know?

Thanks!
Sophia

C J Schmidt

Joined: 27 Mar 2022
Replies: 47
Location: Wisconsin, USA
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Posted: 12 hours ago at 11:48 am Post subject: ?What is Happening to Family Search (LDS)?

Hi Sophia,
I checked today at Family Search, no answer so far.
Will let you know if I do receive a response.

Carla

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