how do I index multiple current spouses

Mickau72

I am indexing a death notice of a muslim with 2 current spouses,

how do I index an individual in a polygamy relationship

John Empoliti

Below is the general guidance on multiple spouses or parents. It isn’t definitive in this case (but almost), so would probably be best for you to post the batch URL or Batch Code for the most accurate advice. I suggest this in case the project is from a predominantly Muslim country and has specific advice on this issue. The Batch Code is the combo of letters and numbers inside the brackets [MXXX-XXX] at the end of the batch name.

Absent specific advice in the Project Instructions, examples, or Field Helps, I would use my best judgement and second and first bulleted instructions below and (1) make only one entry, (2) choose one spouse to represent the pair, perhaps the first-named (“senior” ?) wife to represent the pair. Someone could argue for using the second-named, possibly “more current” wife. The Researchers can sort it out. Use your best judgement, and the spirit of the general guidance. Good luck.

How Should I Index Multiple Spouses Or Parents?

Article Id: 1287

December 29, 2020

When the document lists multiple spouses or parents, index only the current spouse or parents. Here are some quick guidelines for these situations:

• For multiple spouses, index only the present or current spouse.
• For multiple parents, such as a set of birth parents and a set of adoptive parents, index only the current set of adoptive parents. 
• Do not add records to include the other individuals. The information is not lost. After we publish the records, researchers can view the image and gather any additional information in it.

Mickau72

The batch code is M3KW-6KC

Image 1 is the only Moslem individual in the batch so I wondering how to handle this situation as he has 2 current wives

John Empoliti

Hi @Mickau72

As I wrote in my first comment, in the spirit of the general guidance, I would (1) make only one entry, and (2) choose one of the two current wives - your choice - but let’s say the first-named (Zaiheda), and index her in the single entry for Mr. Louw.

Researchers drawn to the document by your indexing will see both wives and be fully informed. As I also mentioned, others might insist on indexing the second-named wife instead, thinking she might be the “more current” wife. I don’t think it matters for the purpose of Researchers’ finding and viewing the image. The image and indexes will be freely available to the public according to the following from the What To Remember About This Project section of the Instructions

• The completed index and links to digital images will be freely accessible online to the general public when the collection is published.

Melissa S Himes

I know how I would do this, but, do not know if it is correct. Clearly, this is a more current (1997) record where both wives should be included since they are both current wives (as opposed to a current spouse and a deceased spouse, or a current spouse and a divorced spouse).

I would index the wives names with Or between them.

Aurora Or Dora

Disney Or Universal

That way when the record should show two alternate, searchable names:

Aurora Disney

Dora Universal

John Empoliti

Hi Melissa. The "correct" answer is what the Project Managers want done in this undocumented situation. I wish that the Project Instructions allowed for easy and quick updating to cover unmentioned situations.

In both cases, we're bending the rule more or less governing the situation. Both wives are current spouses, but I'm picking one over the other as the "current" spouse. You're using an alias rule meant for one individual with two names listed and applying it to two separate individuals and their names. Yours is the more appealing/pragmatic (from a Researcher's point of view) because it allows for searches on both persons' names. Does the system also search on Aurora Universal and Dora Disney with the Or construction?

Now our "headquarters" contact would check with the Project Manager.

Melissa S Himes

I believe in publication it would come out as Spouse: Aurora Disney or Dora Universal - if they work the same as the primary fields do. The search should be able to find any of the four names connected with the deceased. I'm sure the answer will be to follow the current spouse rule - but, I sure would be unhappy if I was the wife who was left off.

Those were the days...and we would have an answer on Monday.

John Empoliti

Thanks for the info on how it likely would be presented. Yours is definitely the more appealing approach. I wonder what the PM wants.