Add instructions about how to record info in margins
The existing project instructions for indexing banns (parish registers in England in 1800s) state to use the 3rd banns date as the marriage date. This is fine as long as there are no other dates listed.
However, on several parish registers that I've indexed or reviewed, the priest has written the actual marriage date in the margin, next to the 3 banns dates. But the project instructions do not specify how to deal with the info the in the margin, so indexers are ignoring the actual marriage date, and only entering the 3rd banns date, as per the limited project instructions.
Please amend the project instructions to include what to do if the actual marriage date is listed. I'm including the instructions from the help center about how to index information in margins (italics added by me):
How should I index information written in the margins?
Article Id: 1678, Published November 23, 2020
Sometimes, records being indexed contain information that is written in the margins of the document. This information may be notes, corrections, or more information about the person or relatives. Whether or not this information needs to be indexed is a case-by-case scenario.
Index the margin information if:
- The project instructions tell you to index it.
- The information written in the margin pertains to the project type, and there is a field for it.
- The information in the margin is a replacement for information that was crossed out.
I appreciate the examples given in the project instructions; however, there are rarely any examples of what to do if there is an exception to the standard. Having this additional information would greatly enhance the indexer's / reviewer's ability to provide the most accurate transcription.
Thank you.