Are You An Indexer?

Census Record

Are you an indexer? Are you wondering where all of the "easy" stuff is? If so, this article is for you! The fact is, we have indexed most of the easy, English language records. That is good news! The not so good news is that there are still English language records available to index, but they take time, patience, and some skill that can be acquired with practice. We can do hard things!

Your assignment: Pick out a project that is entirely new to you. Settle in with a nice cup of hot chocolate, download a batch, read the project instructions, completely index the batch, enjoy learning something new, AND pat yourself on the back when you finish!  It will take a little patience and maybe more than a little brain power, but it will be worth it. Picture in your mind the person who has been looking for that very ancestor that you just indexed. They will be grateful for your sacrifice!

Join the Worldwide Arbitration Event!

Join the Worldwide Arbitration Event!

When: May 1-8, 2015
Goal: Arbitrate 2 million images
Where: Endless possibilities

Go here to check out the specifics. Add your support to this wonderful project!

Indexing, Anyone?

Join the Worldwide Indexing Event

On July 2, 2012, a total of 49,025 FamilySearch indexers and arbitrators joined together to set the all-time record for the most indexing participants in a single day. That lofty record is about to be broken—by you!

Join volunteers from around the world on July 20 and 21 for an international history-making event! The goal? For 50,000 indexers and arbitrators to submit at least one batch in a 24-hour period! Do more if you would like, but one batch is all that is required to be counted in the record!

This remarkable goal will require help from every current indexer and arbitrator out there, plus many new volunteers,*but it can be achieved if generous volunteers like you commit to participate. So mark your calendar and spread the word! Invite friends and family to join you. Organize an indexing party; create a fun family challenge or a society or church service project. Everyone is needed. Everyone can make a difference!

No matter where you live or what language you speak, you can participate and add to this historic worldwide achievement. You may choose to work on any project you prefer. However, we suggest that you work on the following projects in your native language:

• US—Obituaries, 1980–2014
• US—Passport Applications, 1795-1925
• US, New Orleans—Passenger Lists, 1820-1902
• UK, Manchester—Parish Registers, 1787-1999

The record-setting begins at 00:00 coordinated universal time (UTC) on July 21, which is 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT or Utah time) on Sunday, July 20. It ends 24 hours later, at 23:59 UTC (or 5:59 p.m. MDT) on Monday, July 21. Through the selfless efforts of worldwide volunteers like you, millions of people have found their ancestors. At the end of this exciting 24-hour event, millions more records will be available and ancestors will be found!

One batch is all it takes. Don’t miss your chance on July 20 and 21 to be part of this history-making event! Plan now to get involved and add your name to the record-setting legacy!

*New indexers can visit https://familysearch.org/indexing/ to learn more about how to join the FamilySearch indexing effort.

Slovakian Records Added to FamilySearch

The Slovakian online record collection at FamilySearch is now over 5 million! If you have ancestors from that area or other former eastern bloc countries (like I do!) don't just think that you can't do family history. Many, many records are coming from those areas. So, no more excuses! Since records are being indexed so fast for so many different areas, be sure and check each week to see what has been added. You may be surprised at what you find! By the way, if you would like to help index these great records, go here for more information.