I am encountering many errors in AI indexing. Is anything being done to improve this?
I am doing research in the Azores. Recently, when I see that someone has attached a source for a document from Family Search, I go to the source and read what the document says in Portuguese and compare it with what AI says the document says. Lately, I have found errors in every document I have checked. Here are the kinds of errors that I am finding:
- The christening document has the year 1756. AI says the year is 1700.
- The christening document says the child being baptized is Quiteria. AI says the child is Antonia (who is actually a godmother.)
- The marriage document says the mother of the groom is already dead. AI reports the date of the marriage as the date of the death of the groom.
- The marriage document lists the parents of the wife as a certain couple. AI gives different names for the parents of the wife. The names listed by AI are actually the names of the parents of the godmother.
- The christening document lists the name of the church where it happened. AI gives a similar name for a church, but this church is listed as being on a different island in the Azores.
- AI gives the name of the church as the name of the child being baptized.
- AI gives the name of the father reported in the christening document as the name of the child being baptized.
I think I have corrected the errors that I have found, but the method of correction is not user friendly. It takes a lot of time and can be confusing.
Answers
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@DuncanJoanne1 These errors are familiar, and we've seen worse. If you know of cases where AI indexing has corrupted Family Tree—such as adding fictitious individuals or families based on poorly indexed records—please share them. It may not seem like it, but ensuring accuracy in Family Tree is a priority.
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I have found a similar problem in Polish records. On AI indexed marriage records, the name of the father in the original record gives only his first name so when the record is AI indexed the father is given the mother's maiden name. This can lead someone down a different path ending up with completely false information. Anytime I see the father and mother with the same last name I can be pretty sure this error has occurred. Your comment to the previous person says if I find cases where AI indexing has corrupted Family Tree, and I believe this error does, that I should share them. What do you mean by that comment, how should this be shared? It is found in the "Search" area of Family Search. Who would I share it with? If it can't be fixed then people researching in this area should be notified to watch for this serious error.
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@Carolyn Viola Baran These kinds of issues are usually discussed in the Search Group. https://community.familysearch.org/en/categories/search
Thank you for taking the time to share your concern—we appreciate your effort to help improve the experience for everyone.
Your record-specific issue about the Polish Records needs to be looked at by engineers. To ensure it reaches the right team and is reviewed as efficiently as possible, we recommend submitting it via the Record Issues form. This helps ensure that technical problems, errors, or restrictions are addressed directly by those best equipped to assist.
You can report the issue here: Records Issues Form
When submitting, please include as much detail as you can—such as the record name, collection, and what you’re experiencing—so the team can investigate thoroughly.
The Community is always here for research help, collaboration, and discussion, so please don’t hesitate to continue posting if you need assistance finding or interpreting records. If you need help with the form, please reach out.
Thank you again for your contribution and for helping us keep the Community organized
and effective for everyone!1 -
@Carolyn Viola Baran just a warning to keep a local copy of anything you submit though the Records Issues Form, as you will have no access to the completed form.
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