If you have clicked on a link in one of my posts recently, you may have been taken to FamilySearch.org where you currently see a banner at the top of the page with this message "Searching and viewing historical records will soon require you to be logged in with a free FamilySearch Account."
Beginning tomorrow, Dec. 13th, you will still be able to view records for free at FamilySearch.org, but you will need to have an account in order to do so. I have a paid subscription at Ancestry.com, so I usually view census records there. But, I wanted to be able to provide links for my readers that would allow those without paid subscriptions to also access records. I do have a free account at FamilySearch, but my use has been very limited, most recently to borrow microfilm from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
According to this blog post at FamilySearch, one of the main purposes of this new account requirement is to "assure all its partners that its content is offered in a safe and secure online environment." As I was writing this post and thinking about the information I wanted to share, I turned to google to find more details. I was happy to see one of my favorite genealogy speakers and blog writers, Judy Russell, had blogged about the same topic today. Her blog just happens to be featured in "A Few of My Favorite Blogs" on My Old Nebraska Home (see side panel). Her post explains this new development wonderfully. You can read it here.
And, one last thing...If you do create an account, I highly suggest learning more about FamilySearch's policies before using any of their other services, especially sharing information about your family or ancestors. Judy wrote another very helpful post in 2013 about FamilySearch. I can't say if everything in her post is still current and applicable today, but it is a place to start.
