Indexing simply means taking historical records and making them searchable. Many of these records (birth certificates, passenger lists, marriage certificates, census data, etc) were originally handwritten, so modern computers can’t access the information in data searches. When you index, you help connect families by typing up historical documents so they can be found online. This helps families connect family lines and learn more about their ancestors.
The best part about indexing is it’s really easy to start. Documents are handed out in batches by difficulty level, so you won’t start with anything too difficult. There are also great tutorials on FamilySearch to help you get started and know how to ask for help when you need it.
We asked Sam Smith, a 14 year old from our Laguna Niguel congregation, to give us some tips on getting started. Sam said, “About two years ago I started indexing when I wasn’t sure what else to do for family history. I like it because it feels so rewarding to complete a document and help others with their family history. I also love the feeling of being transported through time. I have indexed naturalization records, death certificates, and censuses. The most interesting thing I did was a passenger list of a ship coming into the U.S..”
Here are Sam’s top 10 tips for beginners:
1. Just jump in. Indexing is leveled, so you can start with easy entries.
2. Don’t give up. Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of it.
3. Think of all the people you will bless by giving them records to find their family.
4. If the handwriting is difficult to read look at parts of it that you understand to figure out the other letters.
5. Set a goal. Use the progress chart tracker in FamilySearch.
6. You don’t have to do a lot to make an impact.
7. Do your best! Multiple people work on the same document so don’t stress.
8. Check out the tips and the tutorials on the FamilySearch site.
9. It’s okay to take a break or do it over multiple sessions.
10. Ask for a second opinion, sometimes a different perspective helps.
Kelly Kartchner, a recent high school graduate from our Dana Hills congregation, made a video tutorial to help understand what indexing is and how easy it is to get started. (You might remember Kelly from her previous FamilySearch video, teaching how to log in to the FamilySearch app and create an account and add records to your ancestors.)
For more information on indexing, visit the following pages on FamilySearch: