US, Massachusetts—Boston Tax Records, 1822–1918 [Part X] [M31J-9JN]

CScott278

I have a batch that has witnesses! That particular group of people aren't on the list to index or to not index, so what do you think? I'm thinking not to index them as I review these batches.

CScott278

LarryClark43

I indexed a batch with witnesses and actually came to the opposite conclusion. The instructions say:

• Index all names except those listed in the "Owner" or "Remarks" columns, or names of companies or trusts. Often, names of owners appear on the right side of the image; these names should not be indexed.

It does say index all names except, and as you noted a column for witnesses is not mentioned so I did index those names.

Good Question!

erutherford

I came to the opposite conclusion as well. The PI also says:

• Index each unique name. Some names may be duplicated. When names are exact duplicates, index only the first instance of the name listed. Skip the other exact duplicates, and then index the next unique name. When the middle initials or the given names or surnames are spelled differently, please index these unique names.

Is it possible to get a mod response?

CScott278

My reasoning to not index the witnesses was that we are indexing the tax records, and that the witnesses would show up on their own tax record page, as would the owners. Would like to hear from the moderators!

Carol Egley

I have the same question. I am reviewing a batch that the indexer indexed the witnesses names. I will wait to delete them until we get a response from moderators.

LarryClark43

Carol Egley. CScott278

I just got off the phone with Family Search support. They did not have an immediate answer to this question but will get back to us with an answer as soon as possible.

LarryClark43

Carol Egley, CScott278,

I just received a call back from Family Search support. They said that the word from the top is that we do not

index the names in the witness column.

Happy Indexing😊