Indexing for FamilySearch.org

I've been indexing records for FamilySearch.org since last Fall, and I just passed the 10,000 names mark. It's easy and it's so addictive! As the records are indexed and checked, they are being made available to the public -- for free! I have gotten so much excellent genealogy information and assistance from Family Search and the LDS, that I'm happy to have a chance to contribute.

This is a well-planned effort. The indexer (that's me!) has a choice of many records to work with: census, draft registrations, birth and marriage records to name a few. If I spoke a foreign language, indexers are needed for many languages. Each record is sent out to two separate indexers. If there are any discrepancies between the two results, an arbitrator takes a look at the record and decides the final version.

I've done a lot of 1930's census records, which would have been Depression era and pre-Social Security. What I'm noticing is that families really stuck together. A household might include adult children, a widowed parent, or a couple's siblings. Many families had one or more lodgers, probably to help make ends meet.

If you've never looked for your ancestors, be sure to check out https://familysearch.org and plug in a name or two. You may be amazed at what comes up, and the information is growing by leaps and bounds as indexers do their thing. And if you want to see what indexing looks like, go to https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing and take the test drive.