I tried to access FMP remotely this morning and it's no longer available. Apparently this is because of data protection issues. They're trying to find a way round the problem so we'll have to wait and see.
Ooh. It was down for maintenance it said at one point, but then I was using it fine. Just checked and it's okay now...
When you say "access FMP remotely", do you mean via a library membership rather than your own personal FMP account? My local library has allowed members to access FMP at home using the library account that's normally only available in the library. However, there must be some fair usage limit, as not long after it became available it was producing error messages saying the limit had been reached. They say it will be reset on 1 May (tomorrow), but I'm not optimistic of it lasting more than a few days.
I do mean remotely through my library membership. The Local Studies homepage does have a Currently Suspended notice across it. However, having read the other posts, I clicked on the link and it worked.
Here is part of a recent email from Hampshire Libraries "Since the lockdown began Hampshire Libraries have worked hard to offer a broad range of services and resources to our members, including providing online access to Find My Past through a shared login. However, due to technical difficulties with the shared log in which we have been unable to resolve with the supplier, we have unfortunately had to revoke access to Find My Past." They went on to say that when we are allowed back in to actual libraries the service will be resumed but maybe it's something similar that affected Looby's access. Ironic really because Hampshire were consulting about closing most of our libraries, including the one I use occasionally, before Covid-19 changed the world. However, I don't use their remote service for FMP.
Hampshire seriously considering closing most libraries? Oh- that is awful. My first Saturday/ school holiday job was in Basingstoke library. I was really lucky to get such an enjoyable job - surrounded by books and nice people. I do hope they survive.
Our libraries are now manned for the main part by volunteers, since they tried to close them all down a few years ago. Sadly it meant we lost a few things along the way, like the local FHS help desk.
My library's FindMyPast access has changed, and now the site says: As before, you don't get to see this on the main e-resources page (where access to FMP and Ancestry is still said to be on library computers only), but only after you've logged in to your account, when it's one of the messages on your personal home page.
Hi Auburn The Basingstoke central library is now called a Discovery Centre (the marketeers have been at it again) and is probably safe but two other libraries in or around the town are threatened with closure including the one near us. In other words we won't be able to discover them soon!
Good to hear my old workplace is looking safe but a shame about the others. I suspect the future wil be looking bleak for a lot of libraries soon. Our local library is also no longer a library-it's a hub.
I have been told that it is to do with data protection. When developing your tree, as a subscriber, you can choose to make it or certain parts of it private. Apparently that is not an option with the remote access library version.