Indexing Duplicate Names

Abel, Christina

Hi!

I am working on indexing a city directory (US—City Directories, 1820–1937 [Part O][MQRP-M1B]). In the project instructions it says, "

• Index each unique name. Some names may be duplicated. When names are exact duplicates, meaning that all required fields are the same, index only the first instance of the name listed. Skip the other exact duplicates and then index the next unique name. Unique names include names with different middle initials and different name spellings or where the other required fields are different."

I have come across two people whose information for the required fields are exactly the same but other non-required information (the address) distinguishes the two people. Should these names be indexed separately?

Thanks!

erutherford

You've answered your own question:

When names are exact duplicates, meaning that all required fields are the same, index only the first instance of the name listed.

If you have 12 John Doe's, you index only the first John Doe, then skip to the next unique name, like John A. Doe.

If within those 12 John Doe's, 5 of them have wives named Annie, Jessie, Kelly, Barbara and Elizabeth, you will index those names as well as the first John Doe, as those 5 spouses are different. If 5 of those John's have spouses by the names listed above except that two of the John's have wives named Annie, you'll only index the first Annie, then move on to Jessie.

Addresses do not matter, since we do not index them.