Do I index Negro as colored?

Roxanne Harrington Burnette

Indexing US, Virginia—Marriage Records, 1853–1935[M3WJ-FQM]. Races are listed as N. Drop down list only has colored, white, or other listed. Cannot fill race in as Negro. Do I list them as colored or other?

Melissa S Himes

I would also list the race as Other, as you have done, based on the precise project instructions:

"Select Colored or White from the drop-down list.

The color or race may be indicated by a mark or letter in the columns titled "White" or "Colored."

If a race other than white or colored was listed, select Other from the drop-down list.

If only 1 color or race column or pair of columns was listed but was not clearly indicated as either the husband’s or the wife's color or race, index the color or race in this field, not in the Wife's Color or Race field.

If the color or race was not recorded or was written as a variation of the word "unknown," press Ctrl+B to mark this field blank."

The two column headers are (1) White and (2) Colored or Race. The scribe entered "N" which is not colored or white. If FamilySearch or the owners of the records want N indexed as colored, then they need to change the field helps to indicate that letter N or the word Negro should be indexed as colored, or add Negro to the drop-down list.

Nice indexing and you followed the field help to include punctuation on the names! Great work!!

Dellory Matthews

Even though I remember colored being synonymous with negro in my lifetime, Melissa is correct. The directions don't give us any latitude. It's either white, colored or other.

Norm Jones

The short answer is - yes - you index it as colored.

Brett .

@Norm Jones

Norm

Can I humbly suggest that, "Moderators" [ ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel) ], should DESIST from 'Answering/'Commenting', in this 'Category' of "Indexing", in the 'Q and A" Section, of this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, LEAVING such 'Answering/'Commenting' to those former "Leaders" from the now DEFUNCT 'Group' of "Indexing Chat" (such as, 'Melissa'), UNLESS they are VERY Experienced Indexers/Reviewers.

Those former "Leaders" from the now DEFUNCT 'Group' of "Indexing Chat" (such as, 'Melissa') gave great (in fact, I would suggest EXPERT advice) in that 'Group' of "Indexing Chat", even though they were NOT part of 'FamilySearch' "Support".

Basically ... IF, one is NOT an "Experienced" Indexer/Reviewer; THEN, leave it to the EXPERTS; as, they know.

Just my thoughts.

Brett

Norm Jones

Sorry for trying to help.