If page of a Will or Probate record doesn't contain the name?

beckyalder1

I am currently working on ___ Australia, Victoria—Wills and Probate Records, 1880–1998 [Part A][M3S9-TMS] __ and some of the pages contained in a Will do not have any of the information asked for such as: name, probate year, probate place, death date. If I mark all fields blank the system automatically wants to mark it as "no usable information" (I can't remember the exact terms). But it implies there isn't anything there to save and will most likely just delete the image. If I know the Will is a continuation of a previous page is it ok to add the person's name even if it isn't on that particular page so it doesn't count it as "no usable information"? There is definitely important information, just nothing that is asked for. What should I do, I don't want to accidentally lose this amazing information. :-)

Thanks, Becky

Melissa S Himes

Hi Becky. Great Question. Using No, No Extractable Data (NED) doesn't delete the image from the digitized film. The image stays and FamilySearch re-checks the NED images to make sure that there truly is nothing there to be indexed. The directions for indexing wills and codicils can be very complicated. But, there really is a reason behind the instructions.

Keep in mind, once the person who searches for the name of the deceased finds the will or other probate documents, they will be able to see the image and page through all the images related to that will. "The completed index and links to digital images will be freely accessible online to the general public when the collection is published."

Here's a link to a different film, but, it gives you an idea of how you can browse through a film. Start with image 16 and notice how well the indexing works! https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVN-C9Z4-M?i=101&cc=3007557

beckyalder1

Thank you very much Melissa, I am glad to know the images aren't deleted. I will continue to index as per the guidelines.