FamilySearch Catalog Film/Fiche Number Search

Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog  Film/Fiche Number Search

Do a Film/Fiche Number Search when you know the microfilm or microfiche number and want to see a description of its contents.

A Film/Fiche Number Search is an exact search. Do not truncate (shorten) the number or use a wild card character in the search.

Steps to Search by Film/Fiche Number

 * 1) Go to Catalog in Family Search.
 * 2) Click Places to close the Places Search.
 * 3) Click Film/Fiche Number to open it.
 * 4) Type a number.
 * 5) Click Search.
 * 6) Click a title to see more information about the collection.
 * 7) Scroll down to the Film Notes section to see the specific information included on the microfilm reel.



How Do I Understand the Results of a Film/Fiche Number Search?
The following information can be found when doing a Film Number search.

--a. Location: Often the film will be available at the FamilySearch Library in the film cabinets. Films are shelved in numerical order within their designated Collection or Shelf. NOTICE Due to the rapidly diminishing supply of microfilm, the ability to request copies of microfilms from the Granite Mountain Record Vault to be viewed in the FamilySearch Library will no longer be available after Saturday, July 15, 2023. We are currently working on alternate methods of access for microfilmed records that cannot be released to the public online. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we develop these alternative options. --b. Collection/Shelf: This will tell you where in the FamilySearch Library the film is located - US/Canada films are on the 2nd floor, International and British films are on the B1 floor or in our High Density shelving where they can be retrieved by a missionary. --c. Film: The exact film and item number(s) are listed for each set of records. Often large record sets will be broken into multiple items and could be recorded on multiple films. Knowing the exact film and item number for the record you wish to view will help you find the information more quickly. --d. DGS: This number indicates if the images have been digitized for viewing and preservation purposes. --e. Format: Some films are still only available on the physical microfilm or microfiche, indicated by the icon of a film reel. Others are viewable digitally, indicated by the camera. If a key is above the camera, the digital images are only viewable in certain places (such as the FamilySearch Library) or to certain viewers (such as members of the LDS Church). An image of a magnifying glass next to the camera indicates the records are indexed and you can do a search by name.
 * 1) The title and author of the collection. Some collections are contained within many reels of microfilm and some are complete in one reel or one microfiche collection.
 * 2) The format of the collection. This help you see what to expect. If it is a manuscript, you might have handwriting issues to deal with. It a typed transcription, you need to be alert to possible transcription errors, etc.
 * 3) The language of the records. German records will most likely be in German, for instance. But sometimes Church records in a country will be in Latin, regardless of the native language of the country.
 * 4) Publication information for the original record.
 * 5) A physical description of the record. This will tell you how many microfilm reels or microfiche are in the entire collection.
 * 6) Notes describing the content of the collection. The notes field will also alert you to restrictions on the circulation of the collection and will let you know if there is an index.
 * 7) Subjects in the catalog where this collection can be found.
 * 8) Film Notes listing each microfilm or microfiche in the collection with the film or fiche number and a description of the contents of each.
 * 9) About this record give general information about the catalog entry.
 * 10) Film/Digital Notes will provide information on the physical item: Location, Collection/Shelf, Film number, Digital images number, Format: