Indexing

I spoke very shortly about indexing in the previous post but I would like to expand on the topic now.  I have a special place in my heart for indexing.  My Mom's Father died of cancer when she was sixteen.  One day when I was showing her the website familysearch.org we decided to try to find her Dad.  She was so excited when we found census records that had his name and family living in the household with him.  The census was taken when he was just one year old.  She was able to clear up some questions about his family that were present also.  Then we searched for her Grandfather and found a WWII draft card with his information and signature on it.  She was so excited that she went home and showed my Great Aunt, my Great Grandfather's only surviving daughter. 

                              

None of this would have been possible if it hadn't been for volunteers who index records on family search.org.  It is a free website offered to the public by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Anyone can index records to help further the mission of family history.  All you need to do to get started is go to https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing and click 'Get Started' to download the free software.  If you would like to try it out first without downloading there is a short tutorial.  Click on 'Test Drive'. 

It's fun, easy and takes little time.  You can index a batch (group of names) in less than half an hour.  There is a check and balance system in place so that you don't have to worry too much about making a mistake.  Another indexer will index the same record and if there are discrepencies then an arbitrator checks over both records and makes changes.  It's really neat seeing pages from history and being part of such an amazing worldwide project.

For more information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints go to Mormon.org.