What's Happening with the IGI?

The July 5, 2012 entry on The Ancestry Insider blog offers up insight into the International Genealogical Index records that are so important to genealogists. There has been quite a bit of hoopla concerning how FamilySearch.org has indexed these records in their new system. If you want the straight up talk about it, listen to this webinar. If you want the shorthand version from The Ancestry Insider, click on the link. Either way, it should help clear up IGI confusion (at least for now)!

LIfe After the IGI

Robert Raymond, Used with permission

 

 

 

Is there life after the IGI? Yes there is! This class gave quite a bit of history of the IGI and what it's purpose was. Each entry identifies one person or one marriage. The IGI existed primarily to assist members of the LDS Church to verify completion of temple ordinances. The IGI WAS NOT designed as a genealogical tool! Now, with the genealogical community shifting and more people doing genealogy (LDS or not), the design had to change.There were many shortcomings with the IGI and as technology has advanced, these shortcomings have become quite glaring! The new design of FamilySearch IS designed as a genealogical tool! That is the goal going forward. If you want to know more about the IGI and where that information has gone, go to the FamilySearch Wiki!