Why am I unable to figure out how to index?
I decided it would be a nice thing if I could start doing some indexing while living overseas and having some spare time. It has been really difficult to get started and understand the process. I've followed the tutorials, tried all the buttons to get help, but I'm about to give up on the whole thing. Shouldn't it be easier? I even tried to get an easy project, but it says there aren't any.
Answers
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Good morning @ThayerDiane1
There are rarely basic/easy projects available.
I think the best suggestion is to jump in and try. Once you've done a few projects, I think you'll find the process is generally straightforward. You might try the intermediate record set for Kansas—Naturalization Records, 1862–1982 to start since those are mostly typewritten on preprinted forms.
And you can always share your batch number here in the Indexing category to ask for help in understanding the project.
Best of luck!
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Other than the size of the batches, the city directory projects are also generally fairly easy, at least from the paleography point of view.
I'm sorry that you're finding it difficult to get started. I agree with Áine's suggestion of just jumping in. The worst that can happen is that the reviewer ends up sending your batch back for re-indexing. Unfortunately, you will not find out about it if it happens, but you can rest assured that the batch will get indexed according to several people's understandings of the instructions, regardless of any misunderstandings or mistakes on your part. Also, you may find it reassuring that no mistake you might make will be anywhere near as bad as the ones that I've encountered in already-published indexes. 😕
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I recommend you try the CIty Directories. Ensure you read all the project instructions first, then attempt your first batch. When indexing your first record, review each purple question mark for each field the first time through and then whenever you have a question. Good luck
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I'm am continuing to try. When I finish a page of indexing I don't know how to move to the next page. It says I have 2/30 done, but can't move to the next page. Thanks for any help in advance.
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Many projects have more blanks than needed. You need to delete the extra blanks to submit the completed project.
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To delete the blank, unused entries, click on the trashcan on the toolbar. When the dialog box appears, select "All blank entries" and click Delete. You will then be able to submit your batch.
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Diane, it is actually easiest to have someone shadow you. Is there anyone you know who does indexing? Your "local" Temple and Family History Consultant (which is tied to where your membership records currently are) should have a little experience. They do not have to actually be next to you but can be on the phone or Whatsapp if that is what you use and you can share your batch with them, so they can see it and answer your questions in real time.
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I'm over in China, but will be back in Utah for a couple of months. I'll head to the Local family history center and get some help, so that when I come back I can know how to proceed. Thanks!
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I usually start new indexers with the City Directory projects - they are really easy as long as you read all the instructions and click on every field help(the purple question mark you'll see at the top of each field entry the first few records through the project. The only reason the project is listed as intermediate is because the project really requires reading the instructions thoroughly. Good luck and enjoy — you can't hurt anything as all projects are reviewed.
For the CIty Directory project, I have a few tips for you
1 Do not index the spouses that are listed as widows
ie; Smith, joAnna (wid John D)
In this case, you would index
Surname Smith
Given Name. JoAnna
Do not index john D
2. In this project, when a spouse is indicated in ( ), you can assume the surname is the name of the person who is being indexed (careful with this one as you can rarely assume surnames - this is a special instance only) ie; Smith, John (Lulu R
In this case, you would index
Surname Smith
Given Name. John D
Spouse Surname Smith
Spouse Given Name Lulu R
Do not index john D
3. Do not duplicate names
Ie; Jones, John
Jones, John Jr
You would only index
Surname. Jones
Given Name. John
You should not index the John Jr as there is no place to put the Jr and listing John as a separate record would duplicate the entry.
Another example,
Jones, John (Mary)
Jones, John
In this case, you would index both records as they are different people
- Surname Jones
Given Name. John
Spouse Surname Jones
Spouse Given Name Mary
2. Surname. Jones
Given Name. John
Sounds complicated but it really isn't difficult.
Jump in, the waters fine.
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I usually start people on either Draft Cards or certain Marriage Records. They are quite straight forward and don't have many fields to fill in. Just my system. I find the City directories daunting simply because of the number of names, also they are sometimes harder to navigate exactly what to index due to the way they are set up.
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Directories are easy-peasy. I throw on one of my podcasts and go to town. Easier than 99.8% of projects.
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Directories are usually easy to read, and each entry is pretty short, but the batches range from "large" to "ginormous", and that can make them difficult: you have to come up with a system for keeping track of where you are, and even so, there's this nagging worry that you missed a line or repeated one somewhere. Add to that the stuff about widows versus dead people, not indexing businesses, and not repeating identical names, and it all can add up to an experience of "wow, that was hard".
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Directories are not difficult to index, but I don't think they qualify as easy for a beginner who may be struggling.
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