where do I start?
where do I start?
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With indexing?
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Thanks x
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It all starts here: https://www.familysearch.org/indexing/my-indexing
Click on the blue "Find A Project" button. Now unfortunately, there are no Beginner projects to index (you may find a stray Pennsylvania Naturalization batch), however, there is currently an Iowa project, WWI Applications, that is marked Intermediate, that is more on the beginner level. It is imperative with every project that you read the Project Instructions first. This saves a ton of headaches. The instructions (we call them PI) are generally found with your first batch (snappy little pop up box in the lower right hand corner) and they are always found under the "Project Instructions" link under every entry in the batch you're working on. Don't feel bad about having to go back and refer to the PI. I still have to do it after five years.
There is a step that you'll need to do for every image in a batch, and that is determining if that image (Say Image 1) is to be indexed or not. You have three options: Yes, No, Duplicate Image and No, No Extractable Data. Yes is obviously yes. Free to index. No, Duplicate Image is when a subsequent image is the exact duplicate of a previous image (ex: Image 2 is a duplicate of Image 1). If you choose this option, another dialog box will appear where you will provide what image the current image is a duplicate of. Keep in mind that not all duplicate images will be in consecutive order. You could have a 4-image batch and Image 4 is the duplicate of Image 1. The third option, No, No Extractable Data, means just that. Nothing that can be indexed can be extracted from the current image. However, sometimes a No Extractable Data image is useful in a project. The Iowa project I mentioned? That is a single page, filled out both on the front and back. The front side is where the bulk of the indexing comes from, but there is a small section of indexing that comes from the backside. We will mark the back side "No, No Extractable Data" while using information from that image to complete the first image. Options two and three are rare, but they do occur.
Once that step is completed, and you hit the "Next" button on the last image, you're ready to index. I recommend taking one batch to start. Read the PI, click on the Examples (keep these open for reference), and read the Field Help. The Field Help is the purple question mark above each field. The Field Help overrules (if that's the right word) the PI. If the PI says "A", but the Field Help says "B', go with "B".
A few other things to remember:
- Familiarize yourself with the toolbar. With the toolbar, you can, among other things, submit your batch (airplane icon), mark a field blank (rectangle with a "X") or add/delete entries (add, rectangle with a + next to it; delete is the trash can).
- Check your work before submitting (at least in the beginning). Once a batch is submitted, it cannot be pulled back for you to mend a mistake that you remember making.
- If you are not comfortable with a project/batch, feel free to throw it back. We don't judge if you can't finish that batch or really can't get around this project. If there's nothing of you're liking, keep checking back, you'll find something.
- If you are stumped on anything, feel free to come back here and ask. The best way for community helpers to help is by providing your batch code, which are the seven digits after your project name (like mine is US, Iowa—WWI Applications, 1923–1927 [Part A][MQ38-3YX]. If I had a question, [MQ38-3YX] is my batch code and someone can look my batch up and hopefully answer my question.
- Yes, you will run into some places that'll make you go hwaht? Vulcan, Pennsylvania and my absolute favorite, Burnt Corn, Alabama. And yes, you will see some things that will make you go "****", especially with death records (if you're on the curious side like me).
- Have fun with indexing. Put on some tunes, your favorite radio station, TV show and index. I cannot tell you how many days I've sat and indexed with either a Cubs game or some 60s music in the background.
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This might help too. Click on Guided Tour. https://www.familysearch.org/indexing/help#!#%2F and https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/indexing
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Dear ERutherford and Barbara,
Thanks again for for providing the above helpful suggestions. Ok, now I feel really silly ... I cannot get the system to provide a Batch that I can work with.
On the Find a Project page, I've tried entering: US Iowa; Iowa; SSI; etc and the reply is: no projects found.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks,
Pattie
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Right now, the Iowa project is in Review mode, which is why you're not seeing it. Once you have indexed 1,000 records, you are eligible to review. You could try the New York mortgage projects. They are marked Intermediate, but they act more like a beginner batch.
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Hiya,
When I used the 'blue' link you provided and plugged in New York mortgage projects...nothing comes up.
Obviously, I must be doing something wrong; it's frustrating because I really did wish to contribute.
Something about reviewing names has come up so I have been spending a bit of time reviewing Spanish names.
Thanks for your continued support!
Kindest regards,
Pattie
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OK,
I think I found the correct area! Yea!
I've submitted my first 6 records...
Thanks again!
Pattie
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Awesome :)
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