Adventures in FamilySearch Indexing - Week 32

I didn't know what to index this week because all the familiar projects to me appear completed. I finally decided to index some state census records.

The first project was the Wisconsin 1895 State Census. I have to say I was less than thrilled indexing this record. You had to use the ruler and it was hard flipping back and forth and up and down to see what the column header was for a section. The image was readable but the handwriting left much to be desired.

I kept asking myself I wonder what my new found indexing friend of last week would think about this? So I finally asked her to review my batch for me. Here are the results.

Corrections [130]
1 Newman = Newnan
3 Maryan = Mangan Note that this is a male
I'm not sure of the surname, but your attempt is probably a good one.
6 British-America: 1 = 2
14 Carvan = Carnan
22 Ireland: 1 = 2
24 Ott = Otto
31 Given Name: = M
Surname: McEdwin = Edwin
35 Jarv*to = Jaronto
44 Edword = Edward His "a's" and "o's" have been very "iffy". I would choose the traditional.
48 Gunter = Gruter
49 LaMeur = La Mere
51 Pouski = Ponski

These names were not easy. Some of my interpretations may not be correct. If you feel I am wrong, just put what you think it is. A lot will depend on what the other indexer enters and then what the arbitrator decides.

Do I need a second set of eyes watching out for me or what! It really kicks me that I didn't catch the fact Maryan was a male, given that consideration Mangan looks much more promising. As you can see I even got some of the numbers in there columns wrong. I really didn't like the format of this at all. I would of preferred that is use the table entry format while indexing and not the form entry. I really hope by my saying that, it doesn't discourage people from working on this census. Needless to say I was still finished with Wisconsin 1895 and went on to another project.

The second project was South Dakota 1925 State Census. Overall I liked it better than Wisconsin's but it still had to much moving around for me to do. Ok, I'm a spoiled brat after getting to wiz through the Federal Censuses. This project had you reading little cards with the information on it. I found it ironic that this entry form was table and not form entry. It seemed like the formats where mixed up and should of been reversed on both of my projects.

I had this one card with the gentlemen being 72 years old. Under the year he was married it very boldly stated 1775. There was no doubting that one, there was no way the 7 was an 8. He every well could of been married in 1875 but I had to type in what I saw.

I also had under ancestry someone write Nor. Am. I would of thought North American but his father was from South Dakota and his mother was from Norway. So it would of been Norwegian and American. I typed it like that but I have no idea if that is wrong it certainly isn't listed in the lookup.

I guess my eyes where not up to the job today. I kinda felt dizzy after doing my indexing projects this week. It could also be that I just got new glasses that have bifocals in them, what a learning curve that is. I could hardly sleep last night because my neck and shoulders hurt so bad from moving my head around trying to see things. It appears I will have more opportunities to index state censuses in the future, which is kinda neat. I really need to go over the state censuses for my New York people so I can hardly wait for that project to turn up. Maybe by then I will be used to their formats. Total indexed today 74, grand total to date 3,176.

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

BYU Computerized Family History and Genealogy Conference

Press Release

Subject: Brigham Young University's Eleventh Annual 2008 Conference on Computerized Family History and Genealogy

Dates: March 14-15, 2008

Contact: John Best 801-422-2048, john.best@byu.edu.

The eleventh annual Computerized Family History and Genealogy Conference at Brigham Young University is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, 2008 at the Conference Center. This conference is designed to be a how-to guide for everyone, including beginning, intermediate, and advanced researchers. This conference includes a variety of more than 50 classes to help participants learn about advancements in computer programs, research techniques, managing genealogical databases, digital photography, and using the Internet for family history research. It also includes classes from vendors about new family history programs. More information on this conference can be found at http://familyhistoryconferences.byu.edu.

Some of the main presenters for this conference include Paul Allen, CEO of World Vital Records; Alan Mann, IT manager, Family History Library, Salt Lake City; Kory Meyerink, family history professor at BYU and vice president, ProGenealogists; Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry; Rick Crume, author and family history presenter; and Pat Richey, creator of Dear Myrtle. In addition representatives from the Family and Church History Department will be discussing how to effectively use LDS Church family history programs. Also this year will be new classes by vendors of products that aid family history work.

Last year more than 600 participants attended the computer conference learning how new programs can simplify and enhance research. Topics at this year’s conference will include improvements in genealogy software, managing genealogical databases, and finding useful tools on the Internet. Some of our participants summed up their experience at the last conference by saying, “I learned everything I hoped to learn,” and “I’m full of new ideas, enthusiasm, and new skills, ready to get to work when I get home!”

This conference is sponsored by BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy, LDS Family History Library, and BYU’s Division of Continuing Education

Anyone with interest in genealogy is invited to attend this conference where you will be able to meet with fellow genealogists and computer enthusiasts. You will also be able to learn from each other and leaders in the genealogy community–faculty, vendors and other presenters.

For pricing or additional program and registration information, contact: http://genealogyconferences.byu.edu

BYU Conferences and Workshops
136 Harman Continuing Education Building
Provo, UT 84602-1516

(801) 422-4853

E-mail: cw136@byu.edu

Official Word on NFS Delay

I was inquiring at FamilySearch as to what is causing the new FamilySearch delay. I received the following response:

Hello Renee.

Below is a copy of the official communication on the delay. Product development feels the statement is sufficient. I might add a reminder that the TempleReady replacement and online family tree feature are being refined and updated as needed during the roll out and ongoing. As with any significantly new software programs, one should expect to have bugs, fixes, and updates as warranted. We appreciate users' patience with any delays during such processes. Thank you.

To: Priesthood Leaders, Family History Consultants and Center Directors in Selected Temple Districts

The new FamilySearch has been implemented in several temple districts. At this point, there are a few issues that need to be resolved before adding more temple districts onto the system. As a result, the implementation date for your temple district has been postponed. You will be notified as soon as a new implementation date is determined.

We apologize for this delay and encourage you to continue your preparations to use the new FamilySearch when it becomes available.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch Support
support@familysearch.org

Renee's Note: With this delay and with the possibility of other delays in the future I have suspended the date column on my "FamilySearch Roll-out" web page. If you bookmarked the previous version in your browser you will need to re-bookmark it. I am now using Google Docs to show my listing so the URL is different. The new URL is http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid
=dghmcg8f_2ghwdtmfz&hl=en or you can just click on the link within Renee's Genealogy Blog.

I was pleased that FamilySearch would confirm with me what temple districts are now "Live" with new FamilySearch. My "New FamilySearch Roll-out" web-page has all 26 listed. On the other hand they are not confirming with me those that have been announced. So be advised that list will be speculative and subject to change. The only certain information is the list of temples already using the new system.

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

Mark Your Calendars - UVPAFUG Meeting!

UTAH VALLEY PAF USERS GROUP

The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Users Group will be on Saturday, 8 Mar 2008, from 9 am until noon in the LDS "Red" Chapel at 4000 North Timpview Drive (650 East), in Provo. The main presentation will be by Don Anderson on THE FUTURE OF FAMILY HISTORY CENTERS.

Will the number of FHC's stay the same or will there be fewer or more in the future? With all the microfilms digitized and online what will be the purpose of FHC's? Or will all the films be online? What about the ones the Church doesn't have the copyright permission to post? Will everyone have a computer at home and know how to use it? Will there be a "Computer Specialist" called in each ward to help those with no computers or computer expertise? Who will teach the Church members how to do genealogy research when their lines get past the easy-to-find names? Will the purpose of FHC's shift? These are some of the questions we hope to hear considered by our speaker, Don Anderson at this meeting.

Don R. Anderson is the Director of the Worldwide Support Services Division of the Family and Church History Department of the LDS Church. In this role Don has responsibility to provide help to individuals searching for their ancestors using family history department software and services as well as support for family history centers and priesthood leaders worldwide. Prior to his employment with the Department, Don was the Vice-President of Operations in Technical Support Services for the Convergys Customer Management Group. Don studied Business Administration at Weber State University. He is married to the former Anne Russell and they are the parents of two boys.

Following the main presentation there will be several classes taught concerning technology and family history. As usual, there will be something for everyone at all levels of expertise. The classes currently scheduled for this meeting are the following:

1. Searching for Completed Ordinances in the Internet IGI and in New FamilySearch, by Duane Dudley
2. Internet Q & A, by Laurie Castillo
3. Administering a PHPGedView Web Site, by John Finlay
4. Individual Mentoring in the FHC by Claudia Benson and a mini-class there on Improve Your Census Searches, by Rae Lee Steinacker
5. Q&A on the Future of FHC's, by Don Anderson
6. Video of last month's main presentation on FamilySearch Web Services and 3rd Party Applications, by Gordon Clarke
7. Legacy, by Joel Graham.
8. There will be NO Ancestral Quest nor RootsMagic classes this month.
   

All meetings of the Users Group are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Users Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually 100-125 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays. Several of the officers, including Gerhard Ruf, President; Brian Cooper, 2nd VP; Lynne Shumway, PAFology Editor; Kay Baker and Gerry Eliason working with finances and membership; and Bruce Merrill, Eileen Phelps, and Marie Andersen, working with the DVD & Video Library, will all be there. They will help with membership, questions, distribute the current issue of the monthly newsletter PAFology, and check out DVD's and videos of past presentations and classes to members of the group. Information about the Users Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on the Group's website http://uvpafug.org . For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at pres@uvpafug.org (801-225-6106), VP1 Elder Don Snow at snowd@math.byu.edu, or VP2 Brian Cooper at vp2@uvpafug.org.