Do you remember...




...April’s Newsletter Challenge?


The article entitled, “Indexing world’s records, New tools and website introduced, goals explained to stake directors” begins,  “On any given day at archives in many parts of the world, some 250 camera crews representing the Family History Department of the Church are taking photos of records at the rate of some 1.1 million digital images per day, this to facilitate the work of individuals researching their own ancestral lines.”(1)  That is 1,100,000 new records (names) indexed yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the next day, and so on!

As quoted in the article, Elder Brimhall states, "But you know, having the pictures doesn't help very much"(1) because in the past the only access to those photos was by viewing the films at the Family History Library or by ordering the films and then viewing them at a local family history library.  To solve the problem, the Family History Department initiated the indexing program.  Volunteers working at their own computers would view digital images of the records online and then transcribe the information so that the transcribed information could be searched digitally and refer back to the original image.

Elder Brimhall said that volunteers are indexing as many images as are being filmed each day, however he went on to say,  “The department hopes to double the number of camera crews from doing imaging from 250 to 500 in the next year or so and that will create a bottleneck in the process.”(1) So, more index volunteers are needed.

Elder Brimhall related, "Sometimes, when I'm out and about, people will say 'All my [family history] work has been done.' I get that all the time. … I say, 'Well, you know we added a million and one hundred thousand names yesterday. You might want to go back and check to see if there's anything new.' "(1)  

  • So, have you search FamilySearch historical records lately?
  • Have you signed up and indexed?

Think about this:

Over the past seven years, David Dawson of Mount Holly, N.C. has personally accounted for more than 1 million records.  In an article entitled, “Family history moments:  He has indexed 1 million names”, Dawon explains, "Indexing is a perfect activity for keeping mentally alert and active," and he goes on to explain, "You get started indexing by turning on the computer or find a friend to teach you."(2)

  • Have you signed up to index?
  • What is your goal?
  • Today is a good day to start!


(1) R. Scott Lloyd, Church News staff writer, “Indexing world’s records, New tools and website introduced, goals explained to stake directors” published online Saturday 26 October 2013.  http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/64090/Indexing-worlds-records.html
(2)Patti Hosford, Gastonia North Carolina Stake Public Affairs Council, “Family history moments:  He has indexed 1 million names,” published online 21 September 2013.  
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/63957/Family-history-moments-He-has-indexed-1-million-names.html

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