How can I access records that have been digitized but have not yet been indexed?

WilbergClarkN

I have heard this referenced recently, but don't know where or how to locate them. I attempted a search thru the "Help" "circled ? mark" in FamilySearch without success. Thanks for assisting. Clark

Brett .

@WilbergClarkN WilbergClarkN​ 

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Clark

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For some 'light' reading ...

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They were in "Help" (ie. the 'Circled Question Mark')

[But, it takes practice ... plus, it has changed ... learn all over again ... I had to]

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Here are some "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch':

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Why are some catalog films unindexed?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/why-are-some-catalog-films-unindexed

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How do I find an image in an unindexed collection in Historical Records?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-find-an-image-in-an-unindexed-collection-in-historical-records

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Can I use an unindexed image as a source in Family Tree?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-use-an-unindexed-image-as-a-source-in-family-tree

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I hope these help.

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Brett

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Chris Schmink

@WilbergClarkN WilbergClarkN​  In addition to the resources @Brett .​ just provided, you might also want to check out one of the sessions that became available through the just-concluded RootsTech Connect a couple of weeks ago:

 

https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/rtc2021/session/grandmas-techniques-for-using-unindexed-records

 

The speaker uses techniques that the "dying breed" of genealogists used to use (not so long ago) when people spent hours scrolling through microfilms at microfilm readers in dimly lit corners of libraries and Family History Centers. That was before the Internet was even available for significant genealogical research, and therefore indexing hadn't become what we know it as today. Without the ability to simply type in a name with an event and date and almost immediately getting a specific record, those older genealogists developed some good techniques for searching through a long microfilm to find just the record they needed. But as the speaker also points out, just because records aren't indexed in FamilySearch, they may very well be indexed in other sources. This is a great tutorial on how to both find and search unindexed records.

 

--Chris

Amy Archibald

https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/

 

WilbergClarkN

@Brett .​ @Chris Schmink​ @Amy Archibald​ ---I appreciate your answers. I am familiar with those "old" processes and have used them extensively in the past. I guess I misunderstood the comments that I had heard, thinking that there was a newly developed "index" of those unindexed records that would provide a shortcut. I'll continue to use the "tried and proven" methods. Thanks to all! Clark

Amy Archibald

This is relatively new - last year. https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/explore-historical-images/

WilbergClarkN

@Amy Archibald​ --Thank you! That was EXACTLY what I was searching for! Appreciate your understanding and sharing.

N Tychonievich

@User15723690892844336362 There is a new feature: Explore Historical Images. This takes you to image collections that you can browse (no indexed data is included). Images are uploaded as they are captured by the camera operators, so you get the newest stuff. To find it, near the top of FamilySearch, click Search and then Images.

To learn more, click the question mark icon and enter Explore Images in the search box at the top. Once you get to one of the help articles about this feature, you will usually find links to other articles to learn more.

Happy searching!

LarryJensen

https://community.familysearch.org/discussion/81352/how-can-i-access-records-that-have-been-digitized-but-have-not-yet-been-indexed

LarryJensen

The following article in help using key words unindexed digital records

How do I find an image in an unindexed collection in Historical Records?

Steps (website)

1. Make sure that you are signed in to FamilySearch.org. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click. Search. 
2. Click Catalog.
3. Search by place, surnames, titles, author, subjects, or keywords.
4. In the search results, click the item or item category that you want to view.
5. When you find a record you want to view, scroll down the page to the Film/Digital Notes section, if it is available.
6. In the Format column, look for a camera icon or a camera icon with a key.
   • These icons mean the item is digitized and online. The key icon means there are some restrictions on viewing. If the camera icon is missing, the item is not available online.
7. To browse the images, click the camera icon. If restrictions apply to the images, you will see a message explaining the restriction.
8. Thumbnail images appear on the screen.
9. Double-click an image to enlarge it.