How do I index something that may be in the wrong field?
So the document I'm indexing (https://www.familysearch.org/indexing/batch/04a939eb-4a11-47ed-bb50-1c84545ce089) has fields clearly marked "Name and Surname of Father" and "Name and Surname of Mother". However, almost all of them only have a name for the mother. Normally this would mean the father's name was not recorded. However, the mothers' "Surnames" all happen to also be male firsts names. I have also seen other documents where the names of both parents seem to be recorded in the same field, even when there are separate fields.
Answers
-
Never assume when indexing! You are assuming a masculine gender to names which is not true in all cultures/countries.
Unless you find a comment about this specific project from a moderator saying otherwise, follow the Project Instructions and General Indexing Guidelines.
* If you cannot determine whether a name is a given name or a surname, type it in the Given Names field.
• Do not assume the surname of an individual based on the surname of someone else, such as a parent or a spouse, unless directed otherwise in the project instructions.
2 -
Thanks for sharing your batch. I had a quick look at it and want to mention that those birth names are not a given and surname, but, a first and middle name. So they would be indexed as
Given Name: Grace Ann | Surname: <blank>
Given Name: Bernice Georgiana | Surname: <blank>
Given Name: Shadrack Manasseh | Surname: <blank>
1
