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How do you index a record that is mostly unreadable?

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Mary Louise Lillian
Mary Louise Lillian ✭✭✭
November 8, 2022 edited August 16, 2024 in Get Involved/Indexing

I am reviewing a record that was marked "No Extractable Data" by the indexer. There are some parts of the record that have readable information but most of it is unreadable.


What should I do? Enter a lot of "Unreadable" in the fields? Enter readable information wherever I can?


Here is a link:

US, Virginia—Vital Records, 1715–1901 [Part B][M3R1-WYM]

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Best Answers

  • genthusiast
    genthusiast ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022 Answer ✓

    It is a difficult one. I would probably return it for reindexing and hope the next indexer tries a little harder.

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  • Melissa S Himes
    Melissa S Himes ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022 edited November 8, 2022 Answer ✓

    It is fabulous that you like a challenge and are willing to work on this one!

    Don't forget to try and use the adjustment (enhancement) tools to get a better view. The second and third icons down in the image box help a little with this one! You can use these to turn this into a negative image and/or adjust the brightness and contrast. You should use your wildcards when necessary (always better to get something than nothing out of these!) The birthplace for the children is Powhatan, so that is an easy field! The dates, sex, and race aren't too bad.

    I looked at the film to see if any around this are better - they are not and there don't appear to be any duplicate images. So, this is it!

    There is no harm in returning it for reindexing. Eventually someone might work on it. I would use Return, so it goes back into the Reviewer pool if I didn't have time to do a deep dive into it. (I realized after I wrote this that you are ready, willing, and able to complete the task!!)

    If you do decide to index it, sometimes sharing the link long with the batch code is better since alot of folks don't know how to use the batch codes, but, they can click on a link! Many eyes can sometimes see more!

    To mark a whole record unreadable, you would use Ctrl + U. Usually there is something you can pull out of one of these lines. Here's a knowledge article on how to index the unreadable:

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-index-unreadable-information

    Best Wishes and Happy Indexing!

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  • genthusiast
    genthusiast ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022 edited November 8, 2022 Answer ✓

    I see Melissa has corrected the Knowledge article link - so I'll remove mine. I didn't see the image tools enhanced the image much at all - it would be a pain - line by line to modify.

    Film image URL (note unindexed): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YG-RFQ?i=525&cc=4149585&cat=777933

    Looks like Spencer District, Powhatan County: https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi02816.xml

    Year: 1883

    I think the first line child (Line 37 which matches with the 36 from the previous page): Minnie Reynolds, col, female

    Father: Jno M Reynolds/Rennolds

    Mother: Martha Reynolds/Rennolds

    This is supported by 1880/1900 Censuses:

    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBG-8MR?i=14&cc=1417683&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMC5Y-JDW

    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6QB3-QFL?i=3&cc=1325221&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMMNZ-BGJ

    In the Name of person giving information of birth column - it looks like many are a repeat of the Father's name - so you get a second look.

    (it's pretty difficult reading because probably written in pencil or else degraded ink? Too bad the image couldn't be any better. I guess this is one that needed infrared or something.)

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Answers

  • Mary Louise Lillian
    Mary Louise Lillian ✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022


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  • Mary Louise Lillian
    Mary Louise Lillian ✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022

    I would like to index the record myself--while acting as reviewer. I like a challenge. However, there are so many lines that are unreadable.....I wonder if it is alright to mark most of the record unreadable and only do the lines that I can decipher some information. I wonder if it is possible to mark the entire record or entry unreadable and then overwrite the fields that I can decipher. That works well with marking all fields blank!

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  • genthusiast
    genthusiast ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022

    Yes, you indexing it would be fine as well.

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  • maryellenstevensbarnes1
    maryellenstevensbarnes1 ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022

    @Mary Louise Lillian, As you index the lines you are able to read, if you want a little extra help, please be sure to post the batch code [1111-XXX] and someone will give you a 2nd set of eyes. 😎

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  • Mary Louise Lillian
    Mary Louise Lillian ✭✭✭
    November 8, 2022

    Thanks for all the great suggestions and information. I will give it a try. And, I will try to include a better link next time!

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