Do I index the names of slaves in "Increase" and "Decrease" column as enslaved?

Ksalers

I have read in other posts that located in the "Increase" and "Decrease" column are "proprietors" and they should be labeled as such. However, I am coming across many of these names in these columns and it is obvious to me these are slaves and not proprietors.

Some of these names match names in the enslaved list and so I feel I shouldn't index those that are already listed in the list of slaves.

Also, I do not currently have an example, I am reading through the "I swear" statements from the proprietors. Sometimes I will come across slaves being mentioned in those written oaths and there are descriptions. Most of the time these slaves have "abandoned" and so they are not listed in the slaves column. I am indexing those who are written in the oaths. I need to confirm if this is something I should or should not do.

Thank you for your time.

Ksalers

Here is an example of a slave mentioned in the oath. It says "man slave named "John William" aged 34 years abandoned". After looking at the whole document, this name is not mentioned in any lists. It is only mentioned here. I have been indexing these names as well.

Melissa S Himes

I am indexing the names in the increase/decrease columns as enslaved persons and proprietors using the appropriate "Relationship to the Proprietor". The example is wrong. I do wish they would add some relationship terms. There are returns that have the name of the attorney, the proprietor, heirs, and property managers.

I am indexing all the names in the increase/decrease column because they are unique since the "required fields are different" (blank).

The instructions say:

Index each unique name. Some names may be duplicated. When names are exact duplicates, meaning that all required fields are the same, index only the first instance of the name listed. Skip the other exact duplicates and then index the next unique name. Unique names include names with different middle initials and different name spellings or where the other required fields are different.

I haven't seen a name in an oath, but, would index it.

I am going to tag @AndLinda in this post, as I know she will be interested in reading it.

Thanks.

Donna Jane Zug Smith Dalton

I'm doing the same as Ksalers and Melissa S Himes, I feel this is very valuable info, especially heirs. Every snipet of info is crucial as we usually have only Given names.

I didn't realize I should be doing that with the first several batches I did. Sorry they were submitted without that info indexed!

Related question: If I submit batches with the same oversight repeated, will the proofreader contact me to let me know how to do it correctly?

Melissa S Himes

Thanks for posting, Donna Jane. I think we are on the right track. But, I am hoping to see some project instructions enhanced and that 4th example corrected!

You will not be contacted by FamilySearch unless you are making serious and repeated errors. Reviewers cannot contact indexers directly. Reviewers (proofreaders) are indexers who have completed 1000 records. Once you have reached that number, a review button will appear when you click Find A Project.