.Beginner Batches

LegacyUser

Jacquelyn Jean Starker said: We are concerned about the lack of beginner level indexing batches
for youth groups attending our family history center

Reserve batches for these special groups

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: It may not be technically feasible or legally possible for FamilySearch to "reserve" batches for specific groups defined by age (or conversely to block those of a certain age from doing certain projects)

But what we can all do is to index projects that fit our level of expertise. Experienced indexers should try and do more advanced projects where their skills are most needed, and let others do the easier projects.

LegacyUser

Cindy Hecker said: I believe the first come first get to index program is working just fine. I do not think reserving or waiting for groups is best. There are certainly other things you can teach and show them in a family history center.

LegacyUser

Christine said: I was teaching someone to index last week and was so surprised that there were no beginner projects! We went through a dozen different projects, returning them all, until we found a typed one she felt comfortable doing. I agree we need more beginner projects! And I also wish more experienced indexers should do more difficult projects, allowing easier ones to be done by beginners.

LegacyUser

A van Helsdingen said: As more and more records are indexed, it is inevitable that the "low hanging fruit" will run out. Once simple records like vital records, censuses, directories are indexed, FS has to turn either to more complex records- military drafts, probates, land records etc. or to records in countries where there are less online, digitised and indexed records. The only "new" easy projects in familiar geographies and languages that become available are censuses and vital records they are no longer covered by privacy rules.

Computer indexing (using OCR- Optical Character Resolution) is slowly becoming a reality. I believe other organisations such as Ancestry.com already use it for typed records, and some of these indexes may be on FS due to the partnerships with Ancestry, FMP and MyHeritage.

In the long term these two things together will probably lead to a severe shortage of "easy" projects, which are so necessary for beginner indexers. It is something that FS needs to think about.

LegacyUser

Slotbuddy said: We really do need more beginner projects. Many of our beginners are forced to try indexing projects that are really too hard for them and I see it when I review them. They are doing their best, but the handwriting is just too difficult for someone starting out. I'm concerned that this may cause them to become frustrated and quit and we may be losing volunteers because of this frustration.