Re: Indexing - Australia, Victoria—Wills and Probate Records 1880 - 1998 [Part A]
Hi,
- I have been reviewing batches from the above records and I believe that it is very confusing for indexers and reviewers to complete their batches.
Instructions and field help are too confusing. I have read over them, over and over again, and believe they should be better written. When reviewing, I am constantly finding that many indexers are indexing their batches differently from each other. To me it shows that the instructions are too vague.
Would FamilySearch please update the instructions if possible.
- Also, I think, having extra Fields for "Wills and Probate" Dates and Places, would be better than for the two Fields, "Wills or Probate" Dates and Places, as they are now.
Cheers,
Best Answer
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@Barry Martell could you please post your great suggestion in the "Ideas" section which is found on the left of the screen with the lightbulb "Ideas". When you click on that you can then click on "Indexing" and post this there. Thank you so much for your suggestion which could greatly help. And thank you for indexing!
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... by the way ... indexing is only half the way to a persons profile in the FamilySearch Tree ... And there is a feature to create a separate not connected profile in that tree ... So, ... - if your source contains enough information and allows it -, it´s possible to go the hole way ..
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Check my question please. I think you are in the the wrong conversation.
Plus I dont speak German.
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... sorry for that, but I thought I would write in english and you would be able to "read" pictures ..
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... you even identified it as "german" ..
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... but anyway have a nice day ..
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...never mind ..
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Thanks Wolfgang.
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Thanks!
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What problems are you seeing on these, @Barry Martell ? It is often helpful for reviewers to list the common errors they are seeing.
I find that on wills and probate projects the biggest problem is that indexers don't know what NOT to index so they index every page. It would be as helpful to show indexers/reviewers what NOT to index as it is to show what to index. I will say though, the Field Helps on this project are definitely better than they have been in the past - especially the ones with the examples to click on!
Many of the images are No Extractable Data because we are indexing cover sheets and the first page of the will per the instructions:
- Will and probate documents often continue from one page to another and from one image to the next. Index ONLY the will or probate cover page and the page of the probate or will on which the name of the deceased FIRST appears. Any image that shows only additional pages of the same document should be marked in Step 1: Images as No, No Extractable Data.
It is probably going to be the rare occasion that you index a Will or Probate Place. They don't even index the probate place on the Handwritten Probate Record Example, even though it is found on the CONTINUATION of the handwritten probate document which is marked No, No Extractable Data. (Is this a continuation of a record that spans two images, or not?) The field help also tells us: "Do not index the residence place in this field. Do not index the place of court often listed in a header or the filing place stamped on the document." But, indexers/reviewers are using the place of the court as the probate place.
The Will or Probate Year is often blank because of the field help instruction: "Do not confuse the filing date stamped on the record for the probate date."
I agree there is some confusion in the instructions.
- Index all probate records, including wills and inheritance tax records.
- Do not index other types of documents, such as inventories, real estate or property information, or letters and correspondence about a will. If an image shows only these types of documents, mark it in Step 1: Images as No, No Extractable Data.
So do Letters of Administration get indexed or are they "letters and correspondence"? Are Assets and Liabilities the same as "inventories, real estate or property information"? Are affidavits of the Executors indexed? If yes, could there be an addition to the 1st instruction to include "wills, affidavits, and inheritance tax records"?
A PDF or all the types of documents showing what TO and what NOT to index might be helpful.
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1. Common problems I see, and assume I’m reviewing this Project correctly, are:
- not indexing cover pages at all
- indexing cover pages and entering “Date” from court stamps
- indexing extra fields that are not on the cover page
- Will “Place” seems to be assumed as being the persons residence
- Yes, Probate “Place” seems to always be the Courts address ( to me Probate “Place” will only be the Affidavits sworn “Place”)
2> Your explanations and questions are very helpfule to me as well as it will be to others, both Indexers and Reviewers. A Help PDF would be great.
3. “Also, I think, having extra Fields for "Wills and Probate" Dates and Places, would be better than for the two Fields, "Wills or Probate" Dates and Places, as they are now.”
I requested this as we review Probate Affidavits that contains Will dates as well as Affidavit sworn dates!
4. From the pace that I’m seeing the reviewing taking place currently, I assume that other Reviewers are not participating in this Project because of the confusions.
Thanks for your assistance!
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