FamilySearch Indexing Update: 27 May 2009

The following is from FamilySearch.

Overview

Eleven new indexing projects were added this week—most international (Argentina, Canada, and France). Five of the projects are birth, marriage, and death records for France. Please forward this update to any organizations or individuals that might be interested in helping create indexes to these or other FamilySearch indexing projects.

New indexing projects added this week are:

• Argentina Censo 1869—Jujuy Salta Tucuman
• Canada, British Columbia Births, 1854–1903
• France, Paroisses de Cherbourg, 1802–1907
• France, Paroisses de Saint-Lo, 1802–1907
• France, Paroisses de Coutances, 1802–1907
• France Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Part 1]
• France Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Part 2]
• Indiana, Blackford County Marriages 1811–1959
• North Dakota—1920 U.S. Federal Census
• Ohio Tax Records—3 of 4, Post 1825
• South Carolina—1920 U.S. Federal Census

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects).

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process in preparation for future publication.)

• · Argentina Censo 1869—Catamarca y La Rioja
• · Minnesota—1920 U.S. Federal Census
• · Minnesota Probate Court Wills 1849–1918

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects	Record Language	Percent Completion
Argentina, Buenos Aires 1855 Census	Spanish	28%
Argentina Censo 1869—Corrientes y Entre Rios	Spanish	87%
Argentina Censo 1869—Jujuy Salta Tucuman	Spanish	(New)
Arkansas County Marriages V, 1837–1957	English	93%
Arkansas County Marriages VI, 1837–1957	English	15%
Austria, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925	German	1%
Belgium, Antwerp Foreigners Index, 1840–1930	Dutch, Flemish	36%
Brandenburg Kirchenbücher, 1789–1875	German	61%*
Canada, British Columbia Births, 1854–1903	English	(New)
France Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Part 1]	French	(New)
France Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Part 2]	French	(New)
France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792–1906	French	9%
France, Paroisses de Cherbourg, 1802–1907	French	(New)
France, Paroisses de Coutances, 1802–1907	French	(New)
France, Paroisses de Saint-Lo, 1802–1907	French	(New)
Germany, Mecklenburg 1890 Volkszählung, Div 24–38	German	12%
Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1916–1922 [Part 1]	English	83%
Indiana, Adams County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	3%
Indiana, Allen County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	4%
Indiana, Blackford County Marriages 1811–1959	English	24%
Italy, Trento Baptism Records, 1784–1924	Italian	75%
Mexico, Censo de 1930—Sinaloa	Spanish	95%
Mexico, Censo de 1930—Tamaulipas	Spanish	54%
Mexico, Censo de 1930—Yucatan	Spanish	16%
Mississippi—1920 U.S. Federal Census	English	67%
New York 1905 State Census	English	13%
Nicaragua, Managua Civil Records, 1879–Present	Spanish	44%*
North Dakota—1920 U.S. Federal Census	English	(New)
Peru, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930	Spanish	24%
Russia, St. Petersburg Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885	German	1%
South Carolina—1920 U.S. Federal Census	English	(New)
Spain, Avila, Moraleja de Matacabras, 1540–1904	Spanish	19%
Spain, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales [Part 1], 1530–1930	Spanish	18%
U.K., Cheshire—Land Tax, 1778–1832	English	92%
U.K., Warwickshire Parish Registers, 1538–Present	English	1%
Ukraine, Kyiv, 1840–1842	Russian	17%
Venezuela, Mérida Registros Parroquiales. 1654–1992	Spanish	15%*

(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects	Record Language	Percent Completion
Arkansas Marriages IV, 1837–1957	English	31%
Belgique—Registres Des Décès—En Français, 1796–1910	French	21%*
Belgique— Registres Des Décès—Charleroi, 1851–1900	French	21%
België—Overlijdens Registers—In het Nederlands, 1796–1910	Dutch, Flemish	84%*
België—Overlijdens Registers—Kalmthout, 1851–1900	Dutch, Flemish	17%
België—Overlijdens Registers—Mechelen, 1851–1900	Dutch, Flemish	6%
Bremer Schifflisten, 1904–1914	German	53%
Flanders Death Registration, 1796–1900	French, Dutch, Flemish	79%*
Indiana Marriages, 1882 to April 1905	English	89%
Norway 1875 Census [Part 1]	Norwegian	31%
Nova Scotia, Antigonish Church Records, 1823–1905	English	81%
Ohio Tax Records—2 of 4, Post 1825	English	76%
Ohio Tax Records—3 of 4, Post 1825	English	(New)
Vermont Militia Records, 1861–1867	English	39%

(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)

Current FamilySearch Regional Projects	Record Language	Percent Completion
(These projects are being indexed by volunteers in specific areas of the world.)
Australia, Sydney Cemetery Inscriptions, 1800–1960	English	4%
Australia—Victoria Probate Records, 1853–1989	English	63%
Canada, British Columbia Marriages, 1859–1932	English	5%
Quebec—Trois-Rivières IC, 1800–1900	French	48%

Family History Library Sponsors SUMMER of SLEUTHING

Are you looking for a fun activity to keep your children occupied this summer? Would you like to learn more about your family? Do you need a kick start to organize your family records?

“Summer of Sleuthing—Save Our Ancestors” (SOS) is a family summer activities program sponsored by the Family History Library to introduce families to the fun of family history. With a series of weekly challenges, families can participate in activities that will help them learn more about themselves and their ancestors. The program will also be available online at familysearch.org.

Summer of Sleuthing will begin at the Family History Library on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Families are invited to come to the Library and register that day and participate in activities and classes. They will also receive packets to take home and complete. The challenges in the packets can also help youth in accomplishing goals in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Primary Achievement Days, Young Women, and Young Men.

As part of the challenges, family members are encouraged to keep a journal of their experiences and create memories together as a family. We encourage you to share this message with all families, both Church members and those who are not. We hope that this experience will bring families closer together as they gain an appreciation for the lasting treasures to be found in family history work.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch Support

support@familysearch.org

U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers

New FamilySearch Roll-out Update

Just spotted on the New FamilySearch.og Utah/Idaho Release website.

Consultants in the following Utah and Idaho temple districts have been sent instructions to begin viewing the online training modules listed on the Prepare tab. These consultants may also begin using the new.familysearch.org Web site.

• St. George Utah
• Boise Idaho
• Mount Timpanogos Utah

I have made updates to my New FamilySearch Roll-out spreadsheet to reflect these announcements.

New FamilySearch update

I'm running a little behind on my emails. Here is an update on the new FamilySearch roll-out that I received from my source on 22 May 2009.

Renee,

Here’s a quick update. The roll out model has changed. We are no longer using the old 90 day preparation period nor are we rolling out to whole temple districts on a single date. A temple district will roll out over the space of several weeks. Groups of stakes will go live together rather than the whole district.

The first group of stakes in the Logan Temple district will go live on June 2^nd. These are:

Benson UT

Franklin ID

Hyde Park UT

North Logan UT

North Logan UT Green Canyon

You can track the progress of the Logan district at http://75.101.166.20/utahidaho/logan_release.html .

Thanks,

Early Access to new.familysearch.org for Family History Consultants

The following was received from FamilySearch Support.

To: Family History Consultants in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple District

During the past two years, the Church has been introducing a new process for preparing ancestral names for the temple, which includes the new.familysearch.org Web site. After making some changes to the system to support the large number of expected new users, we have begun introducing the new process in Utah and Idaho.

Please accept a special invitation to begin using the new.familysearch.org Web site before it becomes available to the members in your ward and stake. As a family history consultant, you are a member’s primary source of individual family history instruction and help. In this role, you will be a key contact for members who may have questions about this new process to prepare ancestral names for temple ordinances. We will notify priesthood leaders in your stake at a later date with specific information about the release of new.familysearch.org to the members.

We have prepared some new online training courses for you that are designed to help you prepare to help the members of your ward and stake. The information for accessing these courses may be found on the Utah and Idaho release section of consultant.familysearch.org. This release section will be a valuable resource to you throughout your preparations to help members. You will be able to see up-to-the-minute information on preparation resources, helpful tips for using the new.familysearch.org, and regular updates in the progress of the release to stakes in Utah and Idaho.

We encourage you to visit consultant.familysearch.org, and click on the Click Here to go to the Utah and Idaho Instructions button. Then follow the simple instructions to prepare for the release of the new process in your stake. Go back often for updates.

Please encourage any consultants in your ward and stake who have not already done so to go to consultant.familysearch.org, click on the Click Here to Register button, and complete the registration form as instructed so that they too may have early access to new.familysearch.org and begin preparing to help the members in their ward.

If you have questions or problems with this process, please contact FamilySearch.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch

support@familysearch.org

Toll-free: 1-866-406-1830

Corrections to: New FamilySearch Coming Soon to All Family History Consultants

This is a correction to my previous article on New FamilySearch Coming Soon to All Family History Consultants. I received the following email from my FamilySearch source and I am reprinting most of it here.

Renee,

We read your blog posting regarding the meeting with Randy Bryson with some interest and feel that there needs to be some clarification on a couple of points.

The first bullet point about “All registered” consultants having access within days is not completely true. We hope to begin providing access to some consultants soon but this effort will be spread over several weeks’ time. Encouraging the consultants to register, if they haven’t, is great!

Points 2 & 3 are not completely accurate. On June 9^th, the Timpanogos Temple will switch over to a new process for recording ordinances. The temple can still accept and process a TempleReady disk but it is more difficult for them to do so. Consequently, we want to encourage patrons to take their TempleReady disks to the family history center and have them processed into new FamilySearch and have FORs printed. However, the temple can still process the disks in situations where the centers may be closed or otherwise unavailable to the patron.

Regarding the last bullet, the website is for consultants/directors, not for use by members. The website will most likely only confuse and possibly frustrate members.

Finally, please remove the information about Family Tree replacing the existing new FamilySearch interface. Nothing regarding the Family Tree has been finalized at this time.

I’m hoping you can modify your post to help with these clarifications. Thanks again for all you do to help get the word out about family history.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

New FamilySearch Coming Soon to All Family History Consultants

NOTE: Corrections to this article from FamilySearch

May 26, 2009

Renee,

We read your blog posting regarding the meeting with Randy Bryson with some interest and feel that there needs to be some clarification on a couple of points.

The first bullet point about “All registered” consultants having access within days is not completely true. We hope to begin providing access to some consultants soon but this effort will be spread over several weeks’ time. Encouraging the consultants to register, if they haven’t, is great!

Points 2 & 3 are not completely accurate. On June 9^th, the Timpanogos Temple will switch over to a new process for recording ordinances. The temple can still accept and process a TempleReady disk but it is more difficult for them to do so. Consequently, we want to encourage patrons to take their TempleReady disks to the family history center and have them processed into new FamilySearch and have FORs printed. However, the temple can still process the disks in situations where the centers may be closed or otherwise unavailable to the patron.

Regarding the last bullet, the website is for consultants/directors, not for use by members. The website will most likely only confuse and possibly frustrate members.

Finally, please remove the information about Family Tree replacing the existing new FamilySearch interface. Nothing regarding the Family Tree has been finalized at this time.

I’m hoping you can modify your post to help with these clarifications. Thanks again for all you do to help get the word out about family history.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

FamilySearch Record Search Update: New Brazil, Czech Republic, Italy, and U.S. Records Added

Thirteen collections were added or updated on the FamilySearch Record Search pilot—over 3.5 million new records. International researchers will be excited to know that collections were added for Brazil, Czech Republic, and Italy.

In the United States, collections were added for Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

These collections can be searched for free at the FamilySearch.org Records Search pilot (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).

Special thanks to the FamilySearch volunteers who helped create the 2 million indexed names published this week!

Collection Name	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Brazil Pernambuco Civil Registration 1889–2003		470,743	New — Partial collection (26%), images only
Czech Republic, Northern Bohemia, Litoměřice Archive Church Books 1552–1905		54,068	Updated — Additional images and localities added.
Czech Republic, Southern Bohemia, Trebon Archive Church Books, 1650–1900		14,646	Updated— Additional images and localities added.
Florida Deaths 1877–1939	471,800	0	New
Indiana Marriages, 1811–1959	153,361	0	New — Partial collection (18%).
Italy, Palermo Province, Monreale Diocese, Catholic Church Records, 1530–1919		24,705	New
Massachusetts State Census, 1855		13,071	Updated — Additional images and localities added.
Massachusetts State Census, 1865		2,222	Updated — Additional images and localities added.
New York State Census, 1865		35,851	New
North Carolina Deaths 1906–1930	615,568	612,154	New — Index linked to images.
North Carolina, Davidson County Vital Records, 1867–1984		79,128	New — Marriage and death records only.
South Carolina Deaths 1915–1943	636,445	635,098	New—Index linked to images
South Carolina Deaths 1944-1955	231,138	0	New

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,500 family history centers in 70 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

New FamilySearch Roll-out Update

I figured it was time again to check in with my source to see what was happening with the new FamilySearch Roll-out. Here is their response.

Renee,

I’ve been thinking that I needed to send you an update. I can’t remember what I sent you last so some of this may be a repeat.

The following temple district are now active on new FamilySearch:

Twin Falls – April 14

Monticello – April 21

Rexburg – May 5

Manti – May 12

Vernal – May 12

The Logan district is official in the preparation mode. They received an official announcement last Friday, indicating that they should begin preparing.

The registered consultants in the St George district have been invited to complete a basic new FamilySearch course. By completing the course, they will be given early access into new FamilySearch but the St George district is not officially in preparation mode.

That’s what I can tell you at this time.

Thanks,

We have such a short list of temple districts that need to be rolled-out now. There are 10 along the Wasatch Front and 5 international. Here's the short list.

• Idaho Falls, ID
• Boise, ID
• Ogden, UT
• Bountiful, UT
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Jordan River, UT
• Draper, UT
• Mt. Timpanogos, UT
• Provo, UT
• St. George, UT
  

• Tokyo, Japan
• Fukuoka, Japan
• Seoul, Korea
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Hong Kong, China
  

The rumor mill is alive an well. Here are the following ones I have heard regarding the Utah/Idaho roll-out.

1. Mt. Timp. is going to get a card reader after they close on Jun 8 for cleaning. All the temples are slowly getting scanners.
2. Don Anderson mentioned in St. George that NFS is going on board by regions of stakes and they will have a certain number of FHCs before they go live. Stakes will have to be prepared before going on.
   

You can see a list of the Utah/Idaho Release on the register page for consultants at http://consultant.familysearch.org

I have updated my "New FamilySearch Roll-out" spreadsheet.

See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!

FamilySearch News: Southern Collections Online Are Rapidly Growing

Millions of Historic Southern Records Now on the Web

SALT LAKE CITY—FamilySearch announced today it has published millions of records from Southern states to its rapidly growing, free online collection. The collection includes both digital images and indexes. Millions of death records from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida were the most recent additions. Viewers can search the free collection on the Record Search pilot at FamilySearch.org (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).

In the past 18 months, FamilySearch has been diligently publishing digital images and indexes from Southern states. It is part of a worldwide initiative to provide fast, economical access to genealogical records. Fueled by over 100,000 online volunteers, FamilySearch is digitizing and indexing historical records and publishing them online.

The most recent additions are from the following collections:

· Alabama Statewide Deaths 1908 to 1974 (Index)

· Arkansas County Marriages: 1837 to 1957

· Civil War Pension Index Cards (Digital Images)

· Florida Deaths 1877 to 1939 (Index)

· Florida State Censuses: 1855, 1935, 1945 (Digital Images)

· Freedman Bank Records: 1865 to 1874

· Freedman’s Bureau Virginia Marriages 1855 to 1866

· Georgia Deaths 1914 to 1927

· Louisiana War of 1812 Pension Lists (Images)

· North Carolina Deaths 1906 to 1930

· North Carolina, Davidson County Marriages and Deaths, 1867–1984 (Digital Images)

· South Carolina Deaths 1915 to 1943

· South Carolina Deaths 1944 to 1955 (Index)

· Texas Death Index 1964 to 1998 (Index)

· Texas Deaths 1890 to 1976

· Virginia Fluvanna County Funeral Home Records 1929 to 1976 (Digital Images)

· West Virginia Births 1853 to 1990 (Index)

· West Virginia Marriages 1853 to 1970 (Index)

· West Virginia Deaths 1853 to 1970 (Index)

FamilySearch has also published free indexes to the 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1920 (partial) U.S Censuses—all important resources for Southern states research.

David E. Rencher, FamilySearch chief genealogical officer said, “This significant set of records fills a real need in Southern states research. To be able to search vital records across the South by name and locality leverages the best search techniques and greatly improves the odds of success for those researching Southern families.”

During both pre and post Civil War eras, there was general migration from the eastern seaboard, down through the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and on into Texas. “The publication of these records will begin to open up and answer many questions about family members that migrated and were never heard from again,” Rencher added.

With just a few clicks, visitors can now search millions of records online for that elusive ancestor. Or pore through digital images of historic documents that before this time were inconvenient or impossible for many to access because the original documents were located in an archive somewhere in the South.

“There is much more to come,” said Rencher. “FamilySearch has a large collection of records [on film] from the Southern states that still need to be digitized, indexed, and made available for the public online—and we are acquiring new records all the time. It’s a great time to be a family history enthusiast,” concluded Rencher.

FamilySearch is currently working on federal and state censuses and birth, marriage, death, and war records. New indexing projects and searchable collections are added weekly.

New Personal Assistance Option in the New FamilySearch Help Center

To encourage closer interaction between Church members and their family history consultants, a new personal assistance option will soon be added to the Feedback page in the Help Center in the new FamilySearch.

When this new option is available, those who select it will see contact information (typically phone number and e-mail address) for:

· Family history consultant(s) in their ward or branch

· Local family history center(s)

· FamilySearch Support

Consultants’ contact information will only be displayed to members of their own ward or branch. The displayed contact information comes from the consultant registration information you provided on the Web site at consultant.familysearch.org. This new personal assistance option will be available to members in all areas of the world that use the new FamilySearch Web site.

You may experience an increase in your opportunities to help members of your ward or branch with their family history. To enhance the support you can provide to members, you are encouraged to enroll in and complete the new FamilySearch Web site training course and other consultant courses available through the Help Center.

If you are no longer serving as a family history consultant or do not want your contact information displayed in the Help Center to your local ward or branch members, contact FamilySearch Support.

Note: Consultants who live in European countries must contact FamilySearch Support to request that their contact information be displayed in the Help Center. If they do not do this, their contact information will not be displayed.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch Support

support@familysearch.org

U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers

Family History News Update

The following announcement is by FamilySearch Support.

Here is some important information about a newly certified software application that will work directly with the new.familysearch.org Web site to prepare ancestral ordinances for the temple.

RootsMagic 4 is the first software affiliate product that is certified to reserve and submit ancestral names to temples to print LDS temple name cards using new FamilySearch Web services.

As an application that is certified to reserve ordinances, RootsMagic 4 has the ability to link people in your desktop genealogy file with matching people on the new.familysearch.org Web site. Once linked, a simple click on the temple icon next to a person’s name will display that person's official temple ordinances, complete with dates, temple name, and status. Incomplete temple ordinances may then be reserved to be performed at a later time. Your own file may also be updated with ordinances that are already completed. RootsMagic 4 can select reserved ordinances and print a Family Ordinance Request (FOR) form to take to the temple. Once at the temple, a worker will scan the bar code on the form and print all the desired temple name ordinance cards. Once the ordinances have been completed, RootsMagic will be updated with your ancestors’ new ordinance status.

For more product information go to: http://www.rootsmagic.com/fs/.

FamilySearch Indexing Update: Austria, Germany, Indiana, New York, and UK Projects Added

Diligent FamilySearch indexers made quick work of the New York 1892 and the Rhode Island 1925 State Censuses. Those projects are now complete and will be prepped for publishing online.

New indexing projects added this week are:

• Austria, Wiener Meldezettel
• Germany, Mecklenburg 1890 Volkszählung, Div 24-38
• Indiana, Adams County Marriages, 1811-1959
• Indiana, Allen County Marriages, 1811-1959
• Mississippi—1920 U.S. Federal Census
• New York 1905 State Census
• UK, Warwickshire Parish Registers, 1538–Present

(See the chart below for a complete list and current status of all indexing projects).

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process in preparation for future publication.)

• Montana—1920 U.S. Federal Census
• Nebraska—1920 U.S. Federal Census
• New York 1892 State Census
• Rhode Island 1925 State Census

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Buenos Aires 1855 Census	Spanish	23%
Argentina Censo 1869—Catamarca y La Rioja	Spanish	91%
Argentina Censo 1869—Corrientes y Entre Rios	Spanish	69%
Arkansas County Marriages V, 1837–1957	English	74%
Arkansas County Marriages VI, 1837–1957	English	13%
Austria, Wiener Meldezettel	German	(New)
Belgium, Antwerp Foreigners Index, 1840–1930	Dutch, Flemish	34%
Brandenburg Kirchenbücher, 1789–1875	German	57%*
France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792–1906	French	9%
Germany, Mecklenburg 1890 Volkszählung, Div 24–38	German	(New)
Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1916–1922 [Part 1]	English	67%
Indiana, Adams County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	(New)
Indiana, Allen County Marriages, 1811–1959	English	(New)
Italy, Trento Baptism Records, 1784–1924	Italian	70%
Mexico, Censo de 1930—Sinaloa	Spanish	67%
Mexico, Censo de 1930—Tamaulipas	Spanish	38%
Mexico, Censo de 1930—Yucatan	Spanish	8%
Minnesota—1920 U.S. Federal Census	English	48%
Mississippi—1920 U.S. Federal Census	English	(New)
New York 1905 State Census	English	(New)
Nicaragua, Managua Civil Records, 1879–Present	Spanish	40%*
Peru, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930	Spanish	22%
Russia, St Petersburg Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885	German	1%
Spain, Avila, Moraleja de Matacabras, 1540–1904	Spanish	9%
Spain, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales [Part 1], 1530–1930	Spanish	17%
U.K., Cheshire—Land Tax, 1778–1832	English	83%
U.K., Warwickshire Parish Registers, 1538–Present	English	(New)
Ukraine, Kyiv, 1840–1842	Russian	15%
Venezuela, Mérida Registros Parroquiales. 1654–1992	Spanish	10%*

(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Arkansas Marriages IV, 1837–1957	English	28%
Belgique—Registres Des Décès (Français), 1796–1910	French	21%*
België—Overlijdens Registers—Charleroi, 1851–1900	Dutch, Flemish	17%
België—Overlijdens Registers—In het Nederlands, 1796–1910	Dutch, Flemish	80%*
België—Overlijdens Registers—Kalmthout, 1851–1900	Dutch, Flemish	15%
België—Overlijdens Registers—Mechelen, 1851–1900	Dutch, Flemish	2%
Bremer Schifflisten, 1904–1914	German	50%
Flanders Death Registration, 1796–1900	French, Dutch, Flemish	78%*
Indiana Marriages, 1882 to April 1905	English	87%
Norway 1875 Census [Part 1]	Norwegian	27%
Nova Scotia, Antigonish Church Records, 1823–1905	English	78%
Ohio Tax Records—2 of 4, Post 1825	English	76%
Vermont Militia Records, 1861–1867	English	39%

(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)

Current FamilySearch Regional Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

(These projects are being indexed by volunteers in specific areas of the world.)

Australia, Sydney Cemetery Inscriptions, 1800–1960	English	3%
Australia—Victoria Probate Records, 1853–1989	English	61%
Canada, British Columbia Marriages, 1859–1932	English	3%
Quebec—Trois-Rivières IC, 1800–1900	French	44%

Adventures in FamilySearch Indexing: Week 81

I can't believe I have gone two weeks without doing some FamilySearch Indexing. One of the big reasons I haven't had time to index is because my kids all seem to want to talk to me a lot. Each is going through their own struggles, highs and lows and want Mom's council. Really it's not so much my advice it's just for me to listen. So I have spent hours on hours of listening and doing nothing towards my own goals and objectives. Mainly spending quality time on my computer. In the last couple of weeks I have had many days that I never even got a chance to do anything on the computer.

Funny thing is I have to admit all this time away from the computer has been good for me. It's given me a chance to rest my arm and it is feeling much better. In fact the other day I had a moment where I had to think which arm hurt. I didn't have the constaint pressure and pain. I am finally mending. I am thankful for this blessing and side effect for listening to my kids.

In my last article I mentioned my computer problems and how I "fixed" them. My computer was so slow and how it was working faster. Well I discovered that "faster" is a relative term. Faster than what? My son happened to be away so I took the time to load my PC Tools Anti-Virus, Spyware Doctor and Firewall to his computer. Thinking it would help his computer like it did mine.

Well, after he started to use his computer he came to me and said change it back it's freezing and I can't work on my film editing programs now. I saw this perfectly fine computer just turn into junk and performing terrible with what I had done to it. I uninstalled the PC Tools programs and reinstalled Avira Anti-Virus, Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. It just hummed after that.

I realized that his computer was faster than mine so I thought maybe I should do the same to my computer. I did the uninstall and reinstalls as needed and now I am just flying on the computer. It's a funny thing when a computer gradually slows down on you. It sneaks up and you can't recall how fast it was suppost to be in the first place. Why does it have to be so hard to find programs to protect your computer that don't cripple the speed in the long run? I miss Spyware Doctor but I don't miss the performance issues. I think I am protected just fine now.

Well, it's time to do some indexing. First we need to see if there are any new messages for us.

From: Headquarters
Subject: Arkansas County Marriages VI
Date: 04 May 2009

Arkansas County Marriages VI is dfferent from the other Arkansas projects. There is a new document style that we call "Style 4." (Click here to see an example). Below are some tips on indexing these records:

*Style 4 records in the Arkansas County Marriage VI project should be indexed from left to right in rows, not in columns. If a page number was recorded on one of these cards, do not index it.

*For quicker and easier indexing, you may want to rearrange the order of the fields in the data entry area or hide fields that do not need to be indexed (because the information was not recorded). To do this:

1. Click the View menu.
2. Click the Organize Fields...
3. Click the field you want to move, and then click the up and down arrows.
4. Click the field in the Selected Fields list that you want to hide, and then click the right arrow.
   

• To unhide a field: Click the field in the Hidden Fields list, and then click the left arrow.
  

Note: For required fields that do not have information to be indexed, be sure to mark them blank before you hide them.

Arkansas County Marriages VI also has another document style with only one index card per image. Do not index the page numbers on these cards either.

To learn more or to find answers specific to this project, please refer to the project instructions and project revisions page.

We greatly appreciate the time and effort you give to this indexing initiative.

Here is another message on FamilySearchIndexing.org it's pre-dated into the future.

May 14, 2009: Canadian Census Now Available

The 1916 Canada Census is now available for free for patrons of family history centers through the center's AncestryInstitution.com login.

I was really hoping that the New York Census project was still available. I looked and the New York - 1905 State Census is there. Yippee!! I still get to work with New York. I am trying to be good and not over push things so I did only one batch. There were 100 names on it but it was pretty quick to do.

The handwriting on the census was terrible in places. I had several names I could not make out, and I could just tell I never would. It reminded me of my father's handwriting. When he doesn't know how to spell a word he scribbles. I think this index taker had the same problem. It was always on a long foreign type name that was all jumbled up. I gave it my best shot. Sometimes it is nice to know that someone else will also index your batch and then an arbitrator will see it to compare what's right.

My grand total to date of names indexed is 11770. Slow but steady I am progressing.

See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!

Free Family History Webinars Announced

"May 6th, 2009: Registration for free training webinars is now open to all family history consultants and directors. These webinars are meant to help family history centers thrive as consultants learn about the new technologies and resources available to them. There will be a new calendar of webinars available at the beginning of each month.

The following Family History Center Training Webinars are now open for registration:

Syncing PAF files with FamilySearch™ using FamilyInsight:
Monday, May 11th 9:30-10:30am MDT
Thursday, May 21st 6:00-7:00pm MDT

Collaboration Clean-Up
Saturday, May 16th 10:00-11:00am MDT

How to Light a Fire Under Your Ward
Tuesday, May 26th 7:00-8:00pm MDT

Click here for current webinar information and registration

When possible, directors are invited to share these webinars via projection screen for their family history center staff. Consultants may also join webinars from a home computer equipped with audio. A microphone or long distance phone connection will be required to participate in the live question and answer session following each presentation. Webinars will be 40-60 minutes in length. Webinars will also be recorded and archived to allow viewing for those who are unable to attend them live. To subscribe to a monthly calendar of webinars, follow the above link and fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

If you would like to schedule a special webinar for a group of 40 or more, you will need to e-mail webinars@ohanasoftware.com at least one month in advance. Please include the date & time (No Sundays), an estimated number of attendees, and the desired topic."

David E. Rencher Named FamilySearch Chief Genealogical Officer

SALT LAKE CITY—FamilySearch today named David E. Rencher Chief Genealogical Officer (CGO). He will have responsibility to help FamilySearch align strategic business decisions with needs and demands of genealogy-related markets. Rencher is a 28-year veteran of FamilySearch and a popular leader in genealogy and archive circles. He has held leadership positions with several national organizations, is a professional genealogist, and is in great demand as a keynote speaker. In addition to his new role as the CGO, Rencher will continue to direct FamilySearch’s collection development activities.

FamilySearch is a growing, worldwide organization focused on providing quicker and more affordable access to genealogical records. The chief genealogical officer helps ensure various efforts in the genealogy community are connecting with FamilySearch’s efforts and that FamilySearch continues to grow in genealogical understanding and depth as an organization.

"We are pleased to place David’s talents in this key role," said Jay Verkler, chief executive officer of FamilySearch. "David will provide a public face for FamilySearch to communities it serves and be a representative voice for the genealogical market, products, and services,” continued Verkler.

Given his deep experience and strong industry relationships, Rencher will serve as a liaison to key industry communities and associations worldwide. Rencher and his organization will also provide input on third-party affiliation opportunities and related marketing initiatives, and he will help build an open FamilySearch environment.

“I’m hopeful that the new CGO position can provide a genealogical perspective to our products and services and ensure that we adhere to fundamental principles that are genealogically sound. The genealogical community looks to us to provide that kind of leadership, and in turn, this is a significant benefit to FamilySearch patrons because it ensures that what we do contributes to the accuracy of linking families together,” said David Rencher, CGO for FamilySearch.

During his career at FamilySearch, David has been instrumental in the development of key services and databases. He has worked to ensure that patrons of family history centers had more timely delivery of microfilm, and he has extended microfilm circulation to public libraries. He initiated the book scanning program for the Family History Library collection, and he was instrumental in the production of the automated indexes for the Social Security Death records, the 1880 U.S. Census, the 1881 British Census, and the military casualty files for Korea and Vietnam. He spent a number of years aligning the standards FamilySearch uses for names and localities and worked on record-matching techniques for FamilySearch databases.

Rencher is an Accredited Genealogist^CM with ICAPGenSM in Ireland research and a Certified GenealogistSM with the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. He holds a BA in Family and Local History from Brigham Young University. He served as president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) from 1997 to 2000 and the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA) from 1993 to 1995. He is a Fellow of the UGA and the Irish Genealogical Research Society, London. He is currently serving as the chair of the joint Federation of Genealogical Societies and National Genealogical Society committee for Record Preservation and Access and serves as a director for the National Institute of Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA). He will continue to serve as the vice president of the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) and the director of the Planning and Coordination Division of FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Record Search Update: 2 million records added

Two million new records were added to the FamilySearch Records Search pilot. The completed statewide deaths index for Alabama was published—over 1.8 million names. This collection covers deaths from 1908 to 1974.

Digital collections were added for Jamaica (Trelawny Parish Civil Registration—births), the 1892 New York Census, and Spain (Avila Diocese, Catholic Church Records).

These collections can be searched for free at the FamilySearch.org Records Search pilot (click Search Records, and then click Record Search pilot).

Collections

Alabama Statewide Deaths
Indexed Records: 1,858,819
Comments: New—Full collection, no images

Jamaica, Trelawny Parish Civil Registration Births
Digital Images: 66,333
Comments: New—Full collection, images only

New York Census, 1892
Digital Images: 19,634
Comments: New—Full collection, images only

Spain, Avila Diocese, Catholic Church Records
Digital Images: 48,788
Comments: New—images and updated localities

FamilySearch Indexing Update 5 May 2009

The 1916 Canada Census is now available for free for patrons of family history centers through the center’s AncestryInstitution.com login.

Our indexers wrapped up 11 projects and 8 new projects were added. In U.S. Collections, Arkansas County Marriages, Illinois Cook County Births, and Minnesota, Montana, and Nebraska for the 1920 U.S. Census were added. Yucatan, Mexico (1930 Census), Avila, Spain (Moraleja de Matacabras Parish Registers), and Canada, (British Columbia Marriages) were the latest International projects added.

Recently Completed Projects

(Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process in preparation for future publication.)

· Australia, New South Wales Newspaper Clippings, 1861-1987

· Illinois, Cook County Birth Registers, 1905-1916

· Indiana Marriage Returns, 1882-1905

· Mexico, Censo de 1930–Sonora

· Mexico, Censo de 1930–Tabasco

· Minnesota 1895 State Census

· Missouri–1920 US Federal Census

· Nevada–1920 US Federal Census

· New Mexico–1920 US Federal Census

· Spain, Ávila–Registros Parroquiales, 1572-1890

· UK, Cheshire–School Records, 1796-1950

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina, Buenos Aires 1855 Census	Spanish	20%
Argentina Censo 1869–Catamarca y La Rioja	Spanish	78%
Argentina Censo 1869–Corrientes y Entre Rios	Spanish	64%
Arkansas County Marriages V, 1837-1957	English	64%
Arkansas County Marriages VI, 1837-1957	English	(New)
Belgium–Antwerp Foreigners Index, 1840-1930	Dutch, Flemish	33%
Brandenburg Kirchenbücher, 1789-1875	German	55%*
France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792-1906	French	9%
Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1916-1922, Part 1	English	(New)
Italy, Trento Baptism Records, 1784-1924	Italian	68%
Mexico, Censo de 1930–Sinaloa	Spanish	53%
Mexico, Censo de 1930–Tamaulipas	Spanish	29%
Mexico, Censo de 1930–Yucatan	Spanish	(New)
Minnesota–1920 US Federal Census	English	(New)
Montana–1920 US Federal Census	English	(New)
Nebraska–1920 US Federal Census	English	(New)
New York 1892 State Census	English	92%
Nicaragua, Managua Civil Records, 1879-Present	Spanish	15%
Peru, Lima–Registros Civiles, 1910-1930	Spanish	21%
Rhode Island 1925 State Census	English	93%
Russia, St Petersburg Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833-1885	German	1%
Spain, Avila, Moraleja de Matacabras, 1540-1904	Spanish	(New)
Spain, Lugo–Registros Parroquiales [Part 1], 1530-1930	Spanish	17%
UK, Cheshire–Land Tax, 1778-1832	English	72%
Ukraine, Kyiv, 1840-1842	Russian	13%
Venezuela, Mérida Registros Parroquiales. 1654-1992	Spanish	1%

(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Arkansas Marriages IV, 1837-1957	English	27%
Belgique–Registres Des Décès (Français), 1796-1910	French	21%*
België–Overlijdens Registers–Charleroi, 1851-1900	Dutch, Flemish	12%
België–Overlijdens Registers–In het Nederlands, 1796-1910	Dutch, Flemish	79%*
België–Overlijdens Registers–Kalmthout, 1851-1900	Dutch, Flemish	14%
België–Overlijdens Registers–Mechelen, 1851-1900	Dutch, Flemish	1%
Bremer Schifflisten, 1904-1914	German	49%
Flanders Death Registration, 1796-1900	French, Dutch, Flemish	78%*
Indiana Marriages, 1882 to April 1905	English	86%
Norway 1875 Census part 1	Norwegian	22%
Nova Scotia, Antigonish Church Records, 1823-1905	English	76%
Ohio Tax Records–2 of 4, Post 1825	English	75%
Vermont Militia Records, 1861-1867	English	38%

(*Percentage refers to a specific portion of a larger project.)

Current FamilySearch Regional Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

(These projects are being indexed by volunteers in specific areas of the world.)

Australia, Sydney Cemetery Inscriptions, 1800-1960	English	3%
Australia–Victoria Probate Records, 1853-1989	English	61%
Canada, British Columbia Marriages, 1859-1932	English	(New)
Quebec-Trois-Rivieres_IC, 1800-1900	French	42%