FamilySearch Indexing - You Can Help!

Tens of millions of records are now available to genealogists. Many of these records are available online and even millions more are available only on microfilm. Unfortunately, many of these records have never been indexed.

How can you find information that is available to you? The task is not easy today. However, a project organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will produce millions of indexed records within the next few years. In fact, the Church's vision is to provide computerized indexes to millions of  rolls of microfilmed records held in the Granite Mountain Vault near Salt Lake City.

The indexing project is simple in concept: volunteers extract family history information from digital images of historical documents to create searchable indexes that assist everyone in finding their ancestors. The complexity arises only when one begins to consider the size of this project: thousands of volunteers indexing millions of records.

The volunteers involved include Mormons and non-Mormons alike. In fact, perhaps you would like to volunteer right now. You can perform indexing within 30 minutes after reading these words. The process is easy and your efforts may help thousands of genealogists. Your efforts may even help in your own research efforts. All you need is a Windows or Macintosh computer, an Internet connection and a bit of available time.

The indexing process is simple. First, you sign up as a volunteer. The process asks for your name, mailing address and e-mail address. There is no obligation and you will not receive "spam-like" e-mail messages as a result. You may contribute as much or as little time as you wish; there is no long-term obligation. You do not have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in order to participate.

Next, you download a bit of software that is then installed on your computer. The installation process is simple; follow the on-screen instructions. The software is available for Macintosh OS X version 10.4.5 or later operating system (with either a G4 or an Intel processor) or for Windows XP Home or Professional as well as for Windows Vista. With either Windows or Macintosh, you will need 512 megabytes or more of memory. A broadband (cable, DSL, satellite or fiber optic) connection is recommended.

Once the software is installed, you connect to the www.FamilySearchIndexing web site, download a page of original records and then use the software to create an index. The process is actually very easy; almost no computer expertise is required. If you already know how to surf the web, you can probably learn to index records within a very few minutes. The process is similar, although not identical. Online tutorials and built-in HELP files also are available to explain the details. Projects are divided into small sections such as one page of a census enumeration or one page of a marriage record book.

The image to be indexed will be stored in your computer. The image probably was scanned from a reel of microfilm. Readability will vary although most of the images I have seen are quite readable. As you enter data that see on your screen, the software will guide you through each data field to be extracted. For instance, birth records will typically ask for the parents' names, as well the name of the child, the date and place of birth and other bits of information. Extraction of tax records may ask for a dollar amount as well as date, the name(s) of the taxpayer(s) and more. In each case, you do not need to know ahead of time which bits of data are to be indexed; the software will automatically guide you through each record.

To see a typical screen display of an indexing project in operation, look at http://www.familysearchindexing.org/en/support/training/Indexing_L3_June2006/images/indexpage-fieldhelp.gif. You will note the original image is displayed in the upper part of the computer screen while the new information is entered in the lower part of the screen. There is never a need to print any records on your own printer.

You do not need to be connected to the Internet all the time. You can log on, download a page, and then log off. You then index the page at your convenience. At some future time, you will need to connect to the Internet again and send your results to the FamilySearchIndexing servers. Many people are indexing records while riding commuter trains, on airline trips, or otherwise utilizing what would have been "wasted time."

As an indexer, you will also be prompted for information in order to save time. The first time you enter a word or name, you will need to type the entire word. On later entries, your entries will be compared to data you entered previously. For instance, if the original record says "Ireland," as you type the first few letters of that country's name, then remainder of the word will automatically be filled in. If you choose to accept the word, you click the name. The result can save a lot of keystrokes and therefore speed up the indexing process dramatically.

Of course, if the word is something other than "Ireland," you can enter the complete, new name. The same process works for surnames; if you have already entered the name "Eastman" once, you do not need to re-enter the entire name again and again.

Indexing a complete page typically requires 30 to 60 minutes. You can perform all that in one sitting or else break it up into multiple sessions as fits your available time. Once completed, you click on "Submit a Batch" and all your new data is then transferred to the FamilySearchIndexing servers and (optionally) a new page is downloaded to your computer. If you do not complete indexing of a page within a few days, due to vacations, illness, or some other interruption, the same page is assigned to another indexer. No records will ever be skipped.

Each page is actually indexed twice, once by you and once by some other volunteer whom you likely will never meet. Once both of you have sent your information back to the FamilySearchIndexing servers, the two results are compared electronically. If your data exactly matches the data extracted by the other volunteer, the information is then permanently stored and will become available at a future date as an index, visible to all. If any bit of your data disagrees with that of the other volunteer indexer, the individual record(s) that disagree are then sent to an "arbitrator," a highly-experienced indexer who specializes in difficult-to-read records. He or she then makes a determination as to which indexer is correct, if any. In fact, he or she could even enter a third entry, if necessary. The results of the arbitrator are accepted as final. The arbitrator might enter the information as [unreadable] or [illegible] as appropriate.

The process is simple and any efforts you can offer can help hundreds, perhaps thousands, of future genealogists. I cannot think of a better way to volunteer a bit of your time.

A list of all the current indexing projects may be found at http://www.familysearchindexing.org/fsi-admin/navctrl.jsf?pname=currentProjects. Future projects already planned are listed at http://www.familysearchindexing.org/fsi-admin/navctrl.jsf?pname=upcomingProjects.

To volunteer, go online to www.familysearchindexing.org. Fill out and submit the form. You will soon receive an e-mail from FamilySearch Indexing that will get you started. To learn more about the process, click on the "help” tab at the top of the screen and view the tutorial.

Comments

[Martha]

According to their website, only a PC/Windows machine can download the indexing engine.

[Lorraine]

I'm working with dial-up Internet access. Not the speediest process ever, but entirely doable. (My completed record count is currently over 6,000.) So don't be discouraged if you don't have one of the faster options.

[Dick Eastman]

---> According to their website, only a PC/Windows machine can download the indexing engine.

Not true. Instructions for both Windows and Macintosh users may be found at http://www.familysearchindexing.org/fsi-admin/navctrl.jsf?pname=installClient

- Dick Eastman

[theKiwi]

---> According to their website, only a PC/Windows machine can download the indexing engine.

I have used it on two of my Macintoshes with no apparent problems - as long as you meet the Mac OS X 10.4.5 requirement.

Roger

[Graeme Simpson]

I notice that, with the exception of some Irish BDMs, most of the records are for the USA. It will be great when they start on records relevant to other parts of the world such as India etc which are also available in their microfilm collection - or is there a copyright issue?

[radix]

Graeme Simpson, Dick:
Back in August FamilySearch issued an RFI (RFP) for custodians and service providers to index digitized microfilms, including international materials:
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Home/News/frameset_news.asp?PAGE=Press/2007-8-15_Records_Access_Genesis_Project.asp
on Eastman:
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/08/familysearch-is.html

Does anybody know whether there has been an announcement about submitted proposals/winners?

[theKiwi]

> or is there a copyright issue?

There are issues of copyright involved - our genealogy society - Western Michigan Genealogical Society - is working with Family Search Indexing to setup project(s) of a local nature for our members to be involved in.

One step of the process is that once we and the Family Search people agree on a possible project, they then have to seek permission from whoever the records came from for the records to become part of FamilySearch Indexing. Only once that is done are the films scanned so that that project can get underway.

Roger

[Bill Buchanan]

There is no need to think that the indexing projects are limited to US records. Many of the records currently available for indexing are in Spanish, but there are English language records from Ireland and the USA. I have also indexed records from France (in French) and Canada (in English and French).

So far the records seem to be from western Europe and the Americas, but I am sure that will change. Indexing in other alphabets will be a challenge, but I think it will happen in time.

[Caryn Lowther]

Here is a list of current indexing projects.

Aguascalientes - Censo de México de 1930
(Aguascalientes - 1930 Mexico Census)
Arkansas - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Baja and Campeche - Censo de México de 1930
(Baja and Campeche - 1930 Mexico Census)
California - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Chiapas - Censo de México de 1930
(Chiapas - 1930 Mexico Census)
Chihuahua - 1930 Mexico Census
(Chihuahua - Censo de México de 1930)
Florida - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Florida - 1850 US Federal Census_Slave
Georgia - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Georgia - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Georgia - 1900 U.S. Federal Census
Illinois - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Indiana - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Indiana - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Irish Birth Indexes 1884-1903
Irish Death Indexes 1864-1884
Irish Marriage Indexes 1868-1892
Irish Marriage Indexes 1893-1921
Kentucky - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Massachusetts - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Massachusetts - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Missouri - 1850 US Federal Census_General
New York - 1850 US Federal Census_General
New York - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Nicaragua Managua, Documentos Vitales
(Nicaragua Managua Civil Records)
North Carolina - 1850 US Federal Census_General
North Carolina - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Ohio - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Ohio - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Oregon - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Pennsylvania - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Salt Lake County Births 1908-1915
South Carolina - 1850 US Federal Census_General
South Carolina - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Tennessee - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Tennessee - 1850 US Federal Census_Slave
Tennessee -1850 US Federal Census_General
Vermont - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Virginia - 1850 US Federal Census_General
Virginia - 1850 US Federal Census_Mortality
Virginia - 1850 US Federal Census_Slave
West Virginia Vital Records
Wisconsin - 1850 US Federal Census_General
1895 Argentina census

You can search completed records at http://labs.familysearch.org/
By indexing I have markedly improved my skills at reading handwritten records. Considering the large number of microfilms at the Family History Library, as well as newly accessed records, it will take a long to time index them all. But what a wealth of genealogical knowledge it will produce.

[Margaret]

I strongly agree that this is a wonderful project that will benefit researchers worldwide. Many hand make light work, so anyone who can pitch in, please consider it a gift to your progeny who may be able to break through your brick walls.

[Rae]

I have done this off and on for a while. It's a nice peaceful activity that you can pick up for 15 minutes and then put down. Those spare minutes add up to completed pages. It is very interesting looking at the difference between New York City and my Alabama roots. I've learned a lot doing pages from various pages.

[Maureen]

Although not stressed in your article, the tutorials are really essential and should be mandatory. It gives you the precise way they want things done. Also answers many questions that may come up. In addition, each database has instructions for that particular database, explaining what should go in each field, etc.
And, if there are still questions, there is email contact or a toll free number.

I presume they are making some choices based on demand for the related films. Once the database is online, the mailing of the films to local FHC will become almost nonexistant. Frees up some of their personnel who currently work on mailing these films out and restocking on return. So, films that are rarely requested will probably be at the bottom of the priority list.

In addition to the various current projects listed, there are few already done, including an English diocese and an Ontario death index. Belgium records are being worked on (some in Dutch others in French). I would think that the language on the films also feeds into which are done first. They would need volunteers familiar with the language they are to index, in order to avoid the problems/errors of some recently created indexes that have been input by others, using personnel not familiar with the language they are looking at.

The 1900 US census is almost done, they've got Alaska & Hawaii left, I think.
You can see what has been completed and/or scanned & browsable, by going to yet another of their websites http://labs.familysearch.org
Current Projects
Record Search
I believe you have to 'register', but it's not as detailed as the volunteer registration, just your email, if I remember.
The searchable records on this site do include the 1880 US Census and Ellis Island, which the LDS worked on in the past. But it includes recently indexed projects that have been uploaded.

It really is painless. The more who volunteer, the faster things will get done. Give it a try!

[Penny in Texas]

Thanks for telling/reminding everyone about this, Dick. It's such a great way for people like me who have gotten unquantifiable pleasure from this "hobby" to "give back" to the genealogical research community at large. It's so easy and so worthwhile to give a little time and effort.

I continue to donate my time to this and hope others who haven't, yet, will decide to jump in, too.

Hope your health continues to improve.

Penny

[Norman J Calvert]

I would like to try doing some indexing for you. Norm Calvert

[Richard K. Thompson]

I noticed "Ohio - 1850 US Federal Census_General" listed among "...current indexing projects." Does this mean that the 1850 Federal Census info that I found on ancestry.com was incorrect or incomplete? This is confusing to me.

[Sandy]

Regarding the question about why the 1850 census is being indexed--it was explained to our genealogy society that all of the censuses will be independently indexed (aside from those on subscription services) because the intent of doing this indexing is to make the records available for FREE.

[Lynn]

Having done a lot indexing for Familysearch, I can say it is a VERY easy process. Indexing can be done a line at a time if you only have a few minutes (you could even do just a word or two - it's that easy to start and stop), or you can work for as long as you want. The project directions, and ease of manipulating the darkness/lightness and focus of the census, make this a well-thought-out project to be involved in. I had to call in to the help line just once, and got wonderful service from the lady I talked to... she answered my question quite efficiently and with a lot of friendliness. (By the way, I am not LDS, and this has never been an issue.)

As far as the 1850 US census indexing, I have heard that the ancestry.com version seems to have a lot of indexing errors that (hopefully) this one will not have. Though this may be erroneous, I have heard that ancestry.com outsourced the work to non-native-English speaking workers. The three-person indexing approach that the LDS is using should make a lot more names findable in this index.

[Lynda]

Found the "training" CBI to be quite good. Everything worked right until I tried the installation on Vista. That failed. Have sent a message and hope to hear soon on next step.

[Russ Kashow]

How many names where indexed in 2007.The total number indexed.
Elder Kashow

[Maureen]

I don't know the total number indexed. But for what it's worth there was a message on my indexing page sent apparently to all volunteers
On 15 Jan 2008 entitled 'Thank you'.
It stated in part: "Using FamilySearch Indexing in 2007, you indexed seven times the amount of records indexed in 2006. Each one of you contributed to this amazing growth.
Currently, we have over 115,000 indexers. Today alone, you have already indexed over 168,000 names (as of 1 PM MST)...."

[Penny in Texas]

For Sandy and others wondering about re-indexing any of the censi:

This is an entirely positive thing. I can't count the number of errors I've found in the census indices on Ancestry. Many of them are obvious errors. Hopefully, the way it's being done by Family Search will create better ones. While I'm grateful for the ability to add corrections on Ancestry, it is nice to know Family Search is doing things differently.

At least two volunteers transcribe each page of a census; if there is any discrepancy between them, a third person looks at it to try to verify which is correct. Great idea!

Besides, as has been mentioned before - this information will be available without charge. While many of us can afford a subscription to Ancestry, others cannot and this will be a wonderful additional/alternative source.

Happy searching!
Penny

[Gary Turner]

Not only can you find completed indexed projects at http://www.familysearchlabs.org/ (Record Search) but you can see projects in process. They have several projects which have been scanned but not yet indexed. You can drill down on these scanned images by location. There are about 2.5 Million rolls of Microfilmed vital records in the Vaults and the plan is to index them all, these records are from all over the world. The plan is to also make these records available for free to everyone through the FamilySearch web site or in some cases where free internet access is not offered the plan is to make access free of charge from the local Family History Centers. I beleive that one of those two options is required for FamilySearch to participate. So everything will be available free and most projects will be available online from your homes. The plan is also to link the indexed information to the original image, so you are not just looking at an index, you can view the original image and copy, print or save it to your computer as a source document.

[Bob]

I sincerely hope that they are more successful in developing indicies which are not rife with error as are those of the census as found in the Ancestry.com site. In a recent search for example, I was searching a person whose first name was Sirrel. An unusual name to be sure, and the census takers misspelled it in 3 of the five censuses looked at. However, to further to the pot, the person (or persons, if more than one participed) did not spell the name in the index they way it was recorded by the census taker. This sort of thing runs into problems on a site like Ancestry where they give a link to a record, and what do you get but basically information extracted from the record by some scribe who has often made errors. I have found that good optical reproductions of the original site as essential to establish what the record really says.

My guess is that too often those eager to volunteer may not be the most qualified to partipate. Indexing takes great energy, dedication, and ability.

[Bob]

I sincerely hope that they are more successful in developing indicies which are not rife with error as are those of the census as found in the Ancestry.com site. In a recent search for example, I was searching a person whose first name was Sirrel. An unusual name to be sure, and the census takers misspelled it in 3 of the five censuses looked at. However, to further to the pot, the person (or persons, if more than one participed) did not spell the name in the index they way it was recorded by the census taker. This sort of thing runs into problems on a site like Ancestry where they give a link to a record, and what do you get but basically information extracted from the record by some scribe who has often made errors. I have found that good optical reproductions of the original site as essential to establish what the record really says.

My guess is that too often those eager to volunteer may not be the most qualified to partipate. Indexing takes great energy, dedication, and ability.

[Golden]

I have worked as an indexer for the past few years as this project was being prepared to work online with the Internet. Currently I am an arbitrator. I have had over 50 years experience in reading various types of records both in US and The Netherlands. When the record is arbitrated by the third person, sometimes it is very easy to do because there are few unduplicated fields. However, sometimes it takes almost as long as doing the indexing although often one record is very clean while the other is not. I can then either choose the clean record as it will contain the exact information and spellings as the original record (unless the specific project instructions say otherwise such as "Ontario" for only an "O" or "Ont". The key that speeds up the entire indexing effort is to read the specific project instructions prior to indexing, and then request the same project each time so new project instructions don't have to be read. For me, it takes an average of about 20 minutes to index a batch; about 5-20 minutes to arbitrate a batch (depending on how well the indexing was done). The great thing about this, however, is that if an individual has never done this before but is willing to index, I would prefer the arbitration because I have the experience to make the determinations needed to have the index reflect what the record says. No one need be concerned that they don't have the experience because that is the only way to gain it. And this will most certainly make it easier for any indexer to read more difficult records as a researcher, as well. I can tell you that in the small town where I live, several of us have been involved in indexing and over 1.5 million records were indexed this past year. Not only the records in the Granite Mountain Vault being prepared for indexing, but several digital cameras are not operative in collecting new records. In fact, the NARA records are being digitized by specialized cameras provided by FamilySearch at the National Archives in Washington D.C. The recoreds will include court, military, land, and other government documents that date from as early as 1754 to as late as the 1990s. FamilySearch intends to do all 1.28 million files during the coming years and will make the indexes available without charge on the FamilySearch Web site or at the National Archives and its regional centers.