Missouri obituaries - Prefix instructions vary from batch to batch
Most batches in the Missouri obituaries say NOT to include prefixes such as Reverend or Pastor. However, today I've run into some that don't say that. Be sure to check Field Helps on each batch to see which way you should index that batch. Does this above restriction also apply to terms such as Sergeant?
Is this going to be standardized?
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Hi @judyannehenry1 and @MinnWisRoots . If you have a Missouri batch with the Prefix Field Help that is different from the early batches in the same Project, please share it.
I just checked out another one, and the Prefix Field Help for Other has the guidance "Do not index terms such as "Reverend" or "Pastor" in this field," while the Prefix FH for the Deceased still does not have that odd guidance. In other words, I don't see any change between the most recent batch I checked out and the earlier ones I've done.
I'm not saying that you haven't seen one. Just that I haven't so far. Would you please share it if you have a Missouri batch in which the Other entries Field Help does not have that special instruction?
The Deceased Prefix Field Help allows prefixes apparently with no restrictions, while the Other Prefix Field Help has the above odd instruction, not to Index "terms" such as "Reverend" or "Pastor" in those types of Entries. The data owners (e.g., Missouri vs. Minnesota) get to decide what and how they want data indexed, and I don't need an explanation why, just clarification so that I can apply the instructions faithfully.
I've asked for clarification on this difference between the entry types in the Missouri Project and noted the difference between it and the two Minnesota Projects in a prior post. I did the latter as a caution to those working on all three. As you said - read the Field Helps each time. I understand that my question is under review. Below is the link to my post. I also asked for clarification on what other terms like Reverend and Pastor would also be prohibited.
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This is not good! It affects the reviewers as well, and I have done both, leaving the prefixes for religious members off. I just checked the two batches I have to review, and they both do not say anything about leaving off the prefixes.
This is why I check the this Q&A board before every session of indexing/reviewing to see if something new has popped up!
Hopefully Melissa or John will respond soon.
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It likely was the difference of being a Deceased rather than Other. I don't specifically remember - it was very early this morning. I'll check each batch I check out and if I get another one it, I'll post it here. So it sounds like any prefix for the deceased would be indexed and just the clergy titles not?
Thanks for checking this out.
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John,
Good call! It is just the Deceased record that does not have the restriction. Thank goodness my corrections weren't incorrect. I knew every time I checked in that field when I was working in them the exception was there (except this evening when I replied to this query and just checked the first record of the batch, which was the deceased).
Thanks for figuring out what the discrepancy was.
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You're welcome, @MinnWisRoots .
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