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What happens when a batch is returned for reindexing?

scottjosephgillespie1
scottjosephgillespie1 ✭
October 17, 2021 in Indexing

I've activated the labs, "Reasons to Reindex Batch." What happens when I send a batch back because it's incomplete and checked the various reasons for reindexing? Doe the batch go back to the original indexer?

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Best Answer

  • Melissa S Himes
    Melissa S Himes ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 17, 2021 Answer ✓

    The batch is thrown back "into the pond" for another indexer to grab and finish. The form is supposed to be viewed by FamilySearch personnel to see if the indexer (or the reviewer) needs a little extra help.

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Answers

  • scottjosephgillespie1
    scottjosephgillespie1 ✭
    October 17, 2021

    Why can't reviewers have the ability to give feedback on the batches we review? All too often, I'm correcting mistake after mistake because a newbie indexer did the same thing I did and never got any training - just jumped in and made tons of mistakes that could have been avoided through training. I appreciate that there are those who jump in, excited to be helping. I know I was, but I made so many mistakes because of no training.

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  • genthusiast
    genthusiast ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 17, 2021 edited October 17, 2021

    I think over time most realize to read project instructions = training?

    I heard the 'overhead' for Reviewers giving 'training' did not operate well when it was in practice previously - so this feature/feedback was removed. I do think the Project Instructions could use a little more 'oversight' - sometimes it seems difficult to get feedback to project admins to effect changes to project instructions.

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  • Melissa S Himes
    Melissa S Himes ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 17, 2021 edited October 17, 2021

    @scottjosephgillespie1 Please don't be so quick to think this is "newbie indexer" making these mistakes. With the current system of indexing 1000 records and becoming a reviewer, you could just as easily be the second reviewer who is correcting records of the first reviewer. If someone indexes one of the large batches of a City Directory (1200 names), they will have a reviewer tab pop up! They have learned to index a given name, a surname, and sometimes a location and a date. If they didn't read the instructions, they could have indexed multiple entries of the same name and a place /date in error.

    Even in the old program with arbitration, there were many trained arbs who made glaring errors. So, I wouldn't be quick to criticize one group over the other. This is the reason why I believe that reviewer feedback given directly to the indexer was and would be a mistake.

    I don't think it is all that difficult for the moderators to provide feedback on poor project instructions. But, it is a little dumbfounding that when an instruction is conflicting or needs a few additional words to clear it up, there are some that get corrected immediately and on others the problems are never addressed. An example of this is the repeated discussions on at least one of the parish record projects where that problem is the surname field helps and the examples are incongruent.

    I was seeing a lot of errors in the obituary projects. So many errors that I started to index obits instead of review them. I figure that if enough batches are out there that are correct, perhaps reviewers who might need extra help will catch on and go re-read the scant instructions that are now given for indexing these precious records. I know it seems odd, but, maybe everyone needs to start to index and review at the same pace. It might help to solve a multitude of problems.

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  • judyannehenry1
    judyannehenry1 ✭✭
    October 17, 2021

    And I feel we all need to be reminded that we NEED to read Project Instructions and Field Helps (Purple ?) on a regular basis - NO MATTER HOW LONG WE'VE INDEXED OR HOW MANY NAMES WE'VE DONE! I feel that some feel that if they've indexed for a while, they know all there is to know. As I review it is rather obvious when someone has not read the Project Instructions or Field Helps for THAT project. They may do it correctly for a similar project but not the current one.

    Please don't feel you are above reading instructions. They are there for a reason.

    2
  • annewandering
    annewandering ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 17, 2021 edited October 17, 2021

    As to the original question. No the batch does not go back to the original indexer.

    As to the training:

    We do have training in place but there are some who have not taken advantage of that help. FamilySearch itself has training under the Indexing menu button. There is also training available in the FamilySearch wikipedia.

    Another in person place anyone can get training is through their own ward consultants and also at Family History Centers.

    BYU also has training and courses that can be taken.

    And of course people can always come here and ask questions or call the Help Center.

    The training is available. Just have to make use of it!

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