Improperly indexed pages
Attention Project Managers:
UK, England, Lancashire—Marriage Bonds, 1746–1799 [M39R-G4V]
I reviewed the above batch of marriage bonds. The indexer did not fill out any of the form. The first 2 pages, he/she clicked "blank" for both pages. The second set of 2 pages, he/she clicked "no extractable data", and left all the spaces blank. None of the form was filled out; I filled it out myself.
This person, whether untrained or malicious, needs feedback and/or mediation.
I think the missionaries on the help lines should be able to have a way to provide feedback to this type of indexer. For whatever reason, this indexer is not doing a good job here.
I had also another one today who totally messed up: he/she clicked "no extractable data" for all 4 pages. I didn't write down the batch number for that one; I just remember it ended in GMY, I think. Same Lancashire marriage bonds set, 1746-1799.
Thank you,
Ann W.
Answers
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There is one thing that reviewers can do. You can return the batch for reindexing and submit a form called "Reasons to Reindex Batch". It is an experimental feature to alert FamilySearch when an indexer or reviewer needs a little help with the work.
To find the form, click on Help, Click on Labs, and you will be able to see an example. If you want to start to use it, follow the instructions and activate the form. Then the next time you get a poorly indexed batch, you will be able to use this great form and notify FamilySearch.
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Thank you for the suggestion; I didn't know about that. Could come in useful.
However, I tried it, and it's not available for all groups of records, including this group (of course, LOL). I called the SLC missionaries on the phone to see why nothing happened. The missionary also said that if we return a batch for re-indexing, that it goes to the bottom of the pile, so it would be awhile until it sees the light of day, I guess. Dang.
The missionaries have no way to handle that type of issue, other than to block an indexer who appears to be malicious, and this situation didn't meet those requirements.
They said my best bet is to do this "feedback", and hope that a FamilySearch project manager can do something with it.
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So, you couldn't use the form? Did you activate it and then refresh your page? I have never had the form not work on any group of records. The form does not go to the bottom of the reindexing pile. It is a experimental form being used by FamilySearch to figure out how to get feedback to indexers and reviewers - Labs are experiments!
P.S., I had a batch of these records pulled up and could have used the form if I chose to send the batch back for reindexing. Of course I cancelled the decision since it is a perfect batch.
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Hi @WilmethAnnCarol2 and @Melissa S Himes . FYI. I always try/want to have that “experimental” labs feature activated, but it regularly keeps de-activating itself - annoying. So, @WilmethAnnCarol2 ,if at first you don’t succeed in getting to it, try again. I’ve also never found a project for which it wasn’t available. When you do have it activated and invoke it, this is the form you will be provided. It’s pretty good.
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@Melissa S Himes Under "Reasons to Re-Index Batch", I clicked the "active" box. Then I returned to my indexing tool page, and clicked "refresh". The page will reload, but then just sit there. No form pops up. I have gone back and unclicked the active box, then refreshed again. I have tried this repeatedly, and on several different days w/o any change.
I had called a FH missionary a couple weeks ago about nothing happening when I tried to use the form, and they said it's not available on every group of records. She tried walking me thru all the steps, too, but nothing.
I think there should be a way for indexers to get feedback on how they're doing. I run into some of the same problems over and over, but there is no way for the indexer to be notified of these.
I also think that FS should have a way to keep some type of "score" on indexers in order to prevent those who make a lot of errors from continuing on or advancing in the system, so that the quality of the records can be maintained.
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I saw on the other post that you have been able to get the Form to work! Congrats on that @WilmethAnnCarol2 ! I think you will like using it, but, as John mentioned, if it doesn't always show up it might need to be reactivated. It definitely comes and goes. It is unfortunate that the missionary gave you poor instructions and incorrect information about this form which doesn't go to the bottom of the pile. At least it is resolved for you.
The problem with reviewers giving indexers feedback is that the reviewers, just like the arbitors of the past, often don't read the instructions, don't index batches in the projects, and don't understand the basic indexing guidelines. So, indexers could be given incorrect feedback which only causes more frustration. Having used both systems, I thought the arbitration system was bad, but, I think the reviewer system would be far worse when it comes to counseling indexers. Only having to index 1000 names and "poof, you are a reviewer", as compared to the training that those of us who arbitrated where supposed to receive, may not be the people who should be providing "scores" or advice. Think of this - indexing one page of city directories (1300-1500 entries) would give a person reviewing rights. Even with training there were a lot of errors made by arbs. There were also alot of bad feelings about "scores" that tanked when an arb destroyed a perfect batch. I suspect that it would be a disaster to give reviewers the ability to "train" indexers.
Quite frankly, when you get a batch to review, you have no idea if you are the first, second, or third reviewer. Because if the indexer submits a perfect batch and the first reviewer makes changes in excess of 20%, it moves to a second reviewer. If the second reviewer changes everything back to the way the indexer CORRECTLY entered the data, it moves on to a third review. If reviewer two and three can't achieve an 80% level of agreement, it goes on to familysearch for a final review.
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