Frustrated with Indexing Process (This is my first record, so total newb here)
I'm trying to index my first record in the US, New England—Petitions for Naturalization, 1787–1906 [Part D] set, and I very carefully copied out all of the instructions into a text file so I'd have the information I need at hand to do the job correctly.
My record happens to be a two-page Petition for Naturalization, and I started filling out the fields before I figured out a) that there WAS a second page to the record and B) how bring up the second page in the split-screen view. Since the instructions are clear that fields should be filled out when the second image is in the split-screen view, I deleted everything I started with, and there were two blank fields, which I marked. I then clicked the trash can icon, told to delete all blank fields, and....nothing happened. So I don't know if the function is busted, or if it will delete the fields after I move on, because that isn't mentioned at all in the help file. It just says that those blank fields will be deleted, but not at what point.
Then the second problem I'm having is a little option at the bottom of the fields that says, "Do you see any more information on this image to index?" For Yes, the option is 'Create entry two' and for No, it's 'Next image'. Truth is, there IS more information on the record, but none of it was included in the instructional example, and my understanding of an entry is that it's a record for one person, so my inclination is to say No. And again, this question was NEVER addressed in the instructions for a multiple-page record. I clicked No for the heck of it, and it just took me to the second image for the record. I have NO idea if it's supposed to do that because it's nowhere in the instructions, and it doesn't tell me whether turning off the split screen first affects what happens when I click Next Image. So now I'm sitting here on this second image of the record I'm trying to index, the instructions are very clear that I don't need to index it, but they don't tell me what to do to move on to the next thing. Do I just Submit Batch with none of the fields filled out?
On top of that, I can't find anything in the help about this "Do you see any more information on this image to index?" option. I found one question that was asked, someone pointed to a chat group and helpfully provided a link, but when I clicked on that link, the group is no longer at that address, and when I manually went to the Group area to search for Indexing groups, the only group with any members was for a different project than this one. I also went to the Chat area in search of an Indexing chat and couldn't find anything relevant.
I apologize if this is not the right place to bring my questions, but I want to do this correctly, and I'm frustrated that there's not enough information available to help me do that. So...can you please tell me exactly how I should handle page 2 of my record? Specifically, at what point should I be turning off the split screen and what do I do when it takes me to the second image of the record?
Thank you,
Natalie Stroud
Best Answer
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As for deleting records, if there is a character in any of the fields in the extra entries, it will not delete the extra entries. You'll have to select "The current entry (Entry X)." You can also go through the entries and find which field has the character, then mark that field blank (or just delete what's in the field). If you know that there is only one entry, delete the extra entries before you start indexing.
For Do you see anymore information, that is for batches that contain multiple entries in the image. If there are two (or more) entries, you will add the entries. If not, click on Next Image. Having the Reference Images up will not affect your current entry in any way.
For images that you do not index, Go to Step 1: Images, then go to the image you won't index and mark it No, No Extractable Data. You will now be ready to either go to the next image or submit the batch.
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Answers
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Please share your batch code. Your batch code is located at the top of your screen and looks like [MQ61-ZC1]. It is also located under Batch ---> About Batch and Help ---> Share Batch.
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The Batch Code is [MQZ1-VHH]
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In Image 1, you have the names switched. Given Name is John and Surname is Toomey. The Sex is blank. Even though the document says "he", you'll have to look elsewhere for the sex. This includes things like The name of my wife (or husband) is..., questions that ask the sex of the petitioner and words such as Mr. or Ms. You can see an example of this under How to Index a Petition for Naturalization under Project Instructions/What to Index.
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Ah, thank you so much! It's taken me a few records to kind of get the hang of it, but I'm getting the records done.
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If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
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