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| Include limited access content in your full-text search |
I have been excited about FamilySearch Full-text Search since day one, but recently I found something new to get excited about: the “Include limited access content” toggle.
This is a big deal.
For years, I have known that some FamilySearch records are not viewable from home. I have taught others to use the FamilySearch Catalog to find land, probate, court, church, and other records that may be available only at a FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library. That method still matters. The Catalog is still important. But it takes organization, patience, and a good research plan.
The new toggle does something different. It does not make restricted images viewable from home, but it can show that a name appears in limited-access material when searching Full-text. That means I may now be able to more easily identify and organize the records I need to review later at a FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
The chart above shows my comparisons of different Full-text searches with and without using the toggle. For Luther Read/Reed and Nancy Read/Reed in Windham County, Vermont, the number of results remained unchanged. Each search produced the same number of results with the toggle turned on or off.
For John Reed/Read in Jefferson County, New York, the search changed from 545 results without the toggle to 558 results with the toggle turned on. Those thirteen additional records included military, church, and court records. The church records are now at the top of my list to check. I will be at my local FamilySearch Affiliate Library tomorrow!
For Reddick Bryan, who lived in NC, GA, and LA, the situation is different. I already knew that many of his Bienville Parish, Louisiana, land records were limited in access, and I had copies of many from earlier searches. However, this new Full-Text Search option gives me a better way to search, compare, and organize what still needs to be examined.
The toggle does not replace the Catalog, but it gives me a better way to build a research list.
FamilySearch, if you are listening, my next wish is a “limited access only” filter.
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Diana
© 2026
FamilySearch, “Unlock New Discoveries with Full-Text Search,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/full-text/ : accessed 23 June 2026), landing page for FamilySearch Full-Text Search; page includes the “Include limited access content” option.
I have found it useful, but would like a few more details about the records that aren't available...I'm fortunate to work at an Affiliate Library, so can send myself links for documents to look at while on my break.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I have found the tool useful, but I would also like a few more details about the records that are not accessible from home. The collection names shown in the search results do not always match what I find in the FamilySearch Catalog, so a little more information would be helpful.
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