Encouraging Indexers to Read Project Instructions
When reviewing batches of Missouri, US Naturalization Records 1843-1991, Parts A and B, I noticed about 30% of the Oath of Allegiance records are marked No Extractable Data, contrary to Project Instructions. Is there a way to alert indexers to this problem? Before starting this project I took a photo on my phone of instructions for quick reference.
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I don’t work on these records but I notice that one of the Examples shows how to index an Oath of Allegiance. And it seems like an utterly basic step for an Indexer to look at the Examples and read and understand all of the Instructions before working on a Project. Yet some, maybe many don’t.
The only way I can think of to communicate with the Indexers of that Project who are making this specific error is to use the “experimental” Labs option and return such a batch for Reindexing “with Reasons” keeping the data (if most of the batch is OK). It’s a pretty drastic step, but it will get their attention and the advice they evidently need. Even if you are willing to do the work of making all those corrections, it may be the better course, but it is your call.
To activate this “experimental” Labs option, select Help>Labs. You will see a description of this Reasons to Reindex Batch option, examples of using it, and click to activate it. Refresh your browser (curly arrow or F5) and return to your batch. If you click on Batch>Reindex Batch, you will see the following form instead of the usual brief one. This will let you express your concerns about this batch and allow FS to give the Indexer the necessary help or take appropriate action. It includes some standard reasons plus a free-form “Other” option. Tip -sometimes, it doesn't stay activated, and you may need to repeat the activation step.
The Help>Labs alternate form follows. Note the “Other” option where you can express your specific.concerns besides ticking Read Instructions. FS Support will take appropriate action from there.
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And @malcott according to @Melissa S Himes , a longtime and gifted Indexer and Reviewer of Naturalization Records, the B Part of that Project has particularly great Instructions and Examples. If only the new Indexers of these records would just study them.
Here is a link to Melissa’s fresh post:
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I tried the Help Labs option, it appeared as illustrated above, but I couldn't get it activated, so gave up and just indexed the Oath of Allegiance myself.
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Refresh your browser after activating that option (the curly arrow or F5). Also, sometimes it doesn't "stick" the first time, and you need to try again. Give it another try next time you encounter a batch like that.
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