Correct Transcriptions

ChrisEvans7

It looks like most, if not all, records for Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland have been transcribed as Cookstown, County Meath Ireland !!

Caleb L

Thank you for letting us know. Here is a link to the group that can fix this problem.

https://community.familysearch.org/en/group/68-familysearch-places

Áine Ní Donnghaile

@ChrisEvans7 Do those records show "Original" and then a separate location, showing Meath?

If that's the case, then the issue is with placename standardization. The problem is that the algorithm grabbed the first placename Cookstown. Since Meath comes alphabetically before Tyrone, the algorithm gets it wrong. I see this frequently with townlands or districts that exist in multiple counties.

If you can share a URL or a screenshot, then @N Tychonievich or @Mike357 can get the problem reported to the proper department.

Mike357

@ChrisEvans7 , please do not try to resolve this issue, just yet, via the FamilySearch Places group. That group is likely focused on a different concern. What you seem to be reporting is an indexing error or place standardization error.

It seems that you may be finding the error in the Collection, Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958. However, I am not seeing indications that this is an standardization problem; but possible an indexing error.

Unfortunately, without more information it is impossible to assist you without additional, and more specific, information. If possible, could you provide a link to a record that demonstrates the problem?

Áine Ní Donnghaile

@Mike357 I've seen MANY instances of placename standardization issues with Irish Civil Registration.

Here's one Cookstown example I found on a quick search just now.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVD-4JGJ

If we look at the image of the marriage record, on irishgenealogy.ie, the Irish government website, the marriage clearly took place in County Tyrone. https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1856/09507/5445813.pdf

Irish civil registration records use the civil registration district names which were based on the PLU (poor law union) names. There is NO Cookstown registration district in County Meath. The ONLY Cookstown registration district is in County Tyrone. https://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Ireland-civil-registration.html

Hope this helps explain.

Julia Szent-Györgyi

Huh: what's new about that Ireland example is that the record page (that Áine linked to) now has the same "Cookstown, Ireland" in both the "Event Place (Original)" and the "Event Place" fields -- that is, the record looks like it hasn't been standardized. It's only in the search results list that it says "County Meath".

I have no idea what happens if you attach such a record: does it offer to add the event place, and if so, what text does it offer for the place?

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Hi @Julia Szent-Györgyi I think this issue qualifies as what you/we have described as "standardization on the fly" - showing up only in the search results.