CanIUseTheEarlierImageOfThisMilitaryRecordToFillInTheMissingDigitsOfTheYearEvenThoItsNotTheImageIm -

Woodward, Elaina Dixie

Indexing?

I am indexing a military record called a monthly roster roller. I am indexing one image that is after the first page of the documents full set (I think that's the right way to describe it.) which would have the monthly roster rollers date at the top of the page. the enlistment dates recorded for each name only has the last 2 digits for the year. I looked at the reference images and found the full 4 digits of the year. my question is; is it okay to use that full date to fill in the information for each of the names so they can have full dates even though the full date is recorded in a earlyier image I am not indexing?

thank you!

Marian McDonald_1

@Woodward, Elaina Dixie Hi Elaina. If you look at the batch you're working on at the top you will find a number that will look like: [XXXX-XXX]. Would you copy that number and send it back. It will allow you to share with us what you're seeing and it will help us give you a more definitive answer to your question.

Thank you for indexing these records. Your time is appreciated.

genthusiast

On the Year field click the purple question mark to view the Field Help. That should indicate whether a 2 digit year is acceptable.

Colin Yamamoto_1

The enlistment dates are to be indexed if they are there. They take priority over the main date at the top of the page every time. So to answer your question you should not use the top date on the previous page to fill for these enlistment dates, just because it gives only half a year on the one you are working on. I also think you shouldnt index just the last two digits, Im pretty sure the field needs 4 characters.

If your roll has the dates in this manner: feb 16/23 , then it means febuary 16, 1923. When ive done these types of batches, i fill in that 19- to the last two digits.

Its giving you only the last 2 digits, probably because back then it was understood that it was in 1900s so it was no big deal to them to leave the 19 out, just like we do today, 1/23/22. I doubt any of the dates mean the previous century, the 1800s.

John Empoliti

YES you may attach 19 to the 2-digit year you see in those dates. Below are some reasons why:

From the Field Help for the Military Year field (purple question mark)

If only a 2-digit number was recorded, you can sometimes determine the first 2 digits of the 4-digit year from other information, such as the project dates or other contextual information on the image.

The project dates are 1916–1939

Also from earlier in that Field Help:

If a year is not given, it may have been recorded on one or more images prior to that one.