Legacy News

FamilySearch Indexing Update

Last week FamilySearch Indexing announced that so far, in 2009, volunteers have indexed over 130 million names. Completed projects and digital image collections are published online at http://search.labs.familysearch.org/. If you find something useful there, please consider signing up to help at www.familysearchindexing.org. You can even choose which records to index.

Below is a list of new projects, recently completed projects, and the status of the current projects.

New Projects

Argentina

• Argentina, Balvanera—Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934
• Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926

Canada

• Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986 [Part 3]

Chile

• Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2]
• Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 3]

Mexico

• Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 3]
• Mexico, Michoacan—1930 Federal Censo
• Mexico, Nuevo Leon—1930 Federal Censo

Perú

• Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930 [Parte 4]

United States

• U.S., Indiana, Clark County—Marriages, 1811–1959
• U.S., Minnesota—1875 State Census
• U.S., Rhode Island—1905 State Census [Part 2]
• U.S., South Dakota—1935 State Census [Part 2]

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.)

Canada

• Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986 [Part 2]

Italy

• Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 1]

Mexico

• Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 2]
• Mexico, Mexico—1930 Federal Censo

United States

• U.S., Arkansas—County Marriages, 1837–1957 [VII]
• U.S., Georgia—Deaths, 1928–1929
• U.S., Indiana, Allen County—Marriages, 1811–1959
• U.S., Indiana, Boone County—Marriages, 1811–1959
• U.S., Indiana, Brown County—Marriages, 1811–1959
• U.S., Louisiana—1920 Federal Census
• U.S., New York—1920 Federal Census
• U.S., North Carolina—1920 Federal Census
• U.S., Rhode Island—1905 State Census [Part 1]
• U.S., South Dakota—1920 Federal Census

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Argentina

• Argentina, Balvanera—Registros Parroquiales, 1833–1934, Spanish 3%
• Argentina, Cordoba—Matrimonios, 1642–1931, Spanish 79%
• Argentina, Santa Fe—Registros Parroquiales, 1634–1926, Spanish 2%

Belgium

• Belgium, Antwerp—Foreigners Index, 1840–1930 English 73%

Canada

• Canada, British Columbia—Deaths, 1872–1986 [Part 3] English (New)
• Canada, Québec, Montreal—Régistres Paroissiaux, 1800–1900, French 9%

Česká republika

• Česká republika, Litoměřice – Matriky 1552-1905 [část 1] (Tschechien, Litomerice—Kirchenbücher [Teil 1]) German 19%

Chile

• Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 2] Spanish 5%
• Chile, Concepción—Registros Civiles, 1885–1903 [Parte 3] Spanish 1%

Colombia

• Colombia, Marinilla—Registros Parroquiales, 1815–1959, Spanish 4%

Deutschland

• Deutschland, Brandenburg—Kirchenbücher, 1789–1875 German 87%*
• Deutschland, Mecklenburg—Volkszählung, 1890 [Div 39–69] German 14%

España

• España, Avila, Madrigal y Garganta—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935, Spanish 16%
• España, Avila, Navalmoral—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1935, Spanish 34%
• España, Lugo—Registros Parroquiales, 1530–1930 [Parte 1] Spanish 28%

France

• France, Cherbourg—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 French 8%
• France, Coutances—Registres Paroissiaux 1802–1907 French 4%
• France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792–1906 French 90%
• France, Paris—Registres Protestants, 1612–1906 [Partie 2] French 78%
• France, Saint-Lo—Registres Paroissiaux, 1802–1907 French 21%

Guatemala

• Guatemala, Huehuetenango y San Marcos—Registros Civiles, 1877–1900, Spanish 10%

Italia

• Italia, Napoli, Castellammare di Stabia—Atti di Morte, 1809–1936, Italian 10%
• Italy, Trento—Baptisms, 1784–1924 [Part 2] Italian 80%

Jamaica

• Jamaica, Clarendon—Births, 1878–1930, English 36%

Mexico

• Mexico, DF—Registros Parroquiales, 1898–1933 [Parte 3], Spanish (New)
• Mexico, Hidalgo—1930 Federal Censo Spanish 52%
• Mexico, Jalisco—1930 Federal Censo Spanish 30%
• Mexico, Michoacan—1930 Federal Censo Spanish (New)
• Mexico, Nuevo Leon—1930 Federal Censo Spanish (New)

New Zealand

• New Zealand—Passenger Lists, 1871–1915 English 61%

Nicaragua

• Nicaragua, Managua—Registros Civiles, 1879–1984 [Parte 1] Spanish 30%

Russland

• Russland, Sankt Petersburg—Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833–1885 German 1%

South Africa

• South Africa, Cape Province—Church Records, 1660–1970 English 16%

Sverige

• Sverige, Södermanland—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] Swedish 5%
• Sverige, Uppsala—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] Swedish 14%
• Sverige, Örebro—Kyrkoböcker, till 1860 [Del 1] Swedish 1%

United Kingdom

• U.K., Cheshire—Parish Records, 1538–1850 [Part 2] English/Old English 54%
• U.K., Essex—Parish Registers, 1538–1900 [Part 1] English 1%
• U.K., Warwickshire—Parish Registers, 1754-1900 [Part 2] English 80%

United States

• U.S., Indiana, Clark County—Marriages, 1811–1959 English (New)
• U.S., Indiana, Dubois County—Marriages, 1811–1959 English 32%
• U.S., Indiana, Harrison County—Marriages, 1811–1959 English 41%
• U.S., Indiana, Marshall County—Marriages, 1811–1959 English 18%
• U.S., Minnesota—1875 State Census, English (New)
• U.S., Rhode Island—1905 State Census [Part 2], English (New)
• U.S., Rhode Island—1935 State Census, English 71%
• U.S., South Dakota—1935 State Census [Part 1], English 94%
• U.S., South Dakota—1935 State Census [Part 2], English (New)

Venezuela

• Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 1] Spanish 93%
• Venezuela, Mérida—Registros Parroquiales, 1654–1992 [Parte 2] Spanish 1%

Österreich

• Österreich, Wiener Meldezettel, 1890–1925 German 5%

Украина, Киев

• Украина, Киев—Метрические Книги, 1840–1842 Russian 53%

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

Australia

• Australia, Victoria—Probate Records, 1853–1989 English 80%

België

• België, Mechelen—Overlijdens Registers, 1851-1900 Dutch, Flemish 62%

Belgique

• Belgique—Registres Des Décès—En Français, 1796–1910 French 53%

Canada

• Canada, Ontario, Toronto—Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935, English 1%

Deutschland

• Deutschland, Bremen—Schifflisten, 1904–1914 German 87%

France

• France, Quimper et Leon—Registres Paroissiaux, 1772–1909 [Part 1] French 8%

Norway

• Norway—1875 Census [Part 1] Norwegian 82%

Perú

• Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930 [Parte 3] Spanish 92%
• Perú, Lima—Registros Civiles, 1910–1930 [Parte 4] Spanish (New)

Philippines

• Philippines, Lingayen, Dagupan—Registros Parroquiales, 1615–1982, Spanish 2%

United States

• U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 2] English 92%
• U.S., Ohio—Tax Records, Post 1825 [Part 3] English 1%
• U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Birth Registers, 1890–1908 English 1%
• U.S., Utah, Salt Lake County—Death Registers, 1848–1940 English 28%

New records online for Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Argentina, England, Mexico, and Ghana

from FamilySearch.org:

There are some fascinating new collections in FamilySearch’s Record Search. Ten million new records and images were added this update. Some particularly interesting highlights included the 1865 Massachusetts State Census, Wisconsin 1855 State Census, and 1869 Argentina Census—all now complete, the Ghana Census, 1982–1984 digital images, and the England, Cheshire School Records, 1796–1950, collections. See the chart below for a list of all the newly added collections.

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

Hats off to the online volunteers who help make these collections freely available by donating a few minutes of their time or talents through the FamilySearch Indexing program.

• Argentina, 1895 Census - Updated index and images. Project is now complete.
• Argentina, 1869 Census - Updated index and images.
• England, Cheshire School Records, 1796–1950 - New index only collection. Project is now complete.
• Ghana, Census, 1982–1984 - New browse image only collection; project is ongoing.
• Mexico, Coahuila, Catholic Church Records, 1627–1978 - Updated browse image only collection. Project is now complete.
• U.S., 1920 Federal Census - Added indexes for Wyoming, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
• U.S., Illinois, Cook County Birth Registers, 1871–1915 - Updated index and images.
• U.S., Massachusetts State Census, 1865 - Added indexes. Project is now complete.
• U.S., Wisconsin State Census, 1855 - New index and image collection. Project is now complete.

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 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

FamilySearch Indexing projects and status

More and more indexed records are being published online thanks to the FamilySearch Indexing project. Anyone can participate in the project, and you can even decide which set of records you want to help index. I've personally spent a lot of time recently working on the British Columbia births and New York 1905 state census. I'm almost to the 40,000 indexed names goal. Can't wait until I get there!

Completed indexes can be searched for free at www.FamilySearch.org (Search Records > Record Search Pilot).

Below is the completion status of the active projects. If you see one that you'd like to help with, sign up at www.FamilySearchIndexing.org.

Argentina

• Buenos Aires 1855 census - 31%
• Argentina Censo 1869 - Corrientes y Entre Rios - 94%
• Argentina Censo 1869 - Jujuy Salta Tucuman - 10%

Australia

• Sydney Cemetery Inscriptions, 1800-1960 - 5%
• Victoria Probate Records, 1853-1989 - 64%

Austria

• Wiener Meldezettel, 1890-1925 - 1%

Belgium

• Antwerp Foreigners Index, 1840-1930 - 37%
• Flanders Death registration, 1796-1900 - 79%
• Registres Des Décès - En Français, 1796-1910 - 21%
• Registres Des Décès - Charleroi, 1851-1900 - 22%
• Overlijdens Registers - In het Nederlands, 1796-1910 - 85%
• Overlijdens Registers - Kalmthout, 1851-1900 - 17%
• Overlijdens Registers - Mechelen, 1851-1900 - 6%

Canada

• British Columbia Births, 1854-1903 - 33%
• British Columbia Marriages, 1859-1932 - 5%
• Nova Scotia, Antigonish Church Records, 1823-1905 - 82%
• Quebec - Trois-Rivières IC, 1800-1900 - 50%

France

• Registres Protestants, 1612-1906 part 1 - 20%
• Registres Protestants, 1612-1906 part 2 - 1%
• Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche, 1792-1906 - 9%
• Paroisses de Cherbourg, 1802-1907 - 1%
• Paroisses de Countances, 1802-1907 - 1%
• Paroisses de Saint-Lo, 1802-1907 - 1%

Germany

• Brandenburg Kirchenbücher, 1789-1875 - 62%
• Bremer Schifflisten, 1904-1914 - 54%
• Mecklenburg 1890 Volkszählung, Div 24-38 - 15%

Italy

• Trento Baptism Records, 1784-1924 - 77%

Jamaica

• Trelawny Births, 1878-1930 - new

Mexico

• Censo de 1930 - Mexico - new
• Censo de 1930 - Tamaulipas - 66%
• Censo de 1930 - Yucatan - 19%

Nicaragua

• Managua Civil Records, 1879-present - 47%

Norway

• 1875 census part 1 - 34%

Peru

• Lima - Registros Civiles, 1910-1930 - 25%

Russia

• St Petersburg Kirchenbuchduplikat, 1833-1885 - 1%

Spain

• Avila, Moraleja de Matacabras, 1540-1904 - 22%
• Lugo - Registros Parroquiales part 1, 1530-1930 - 19%

Ukraine

• Kyiv, 1840-1842 - 17%

United Kingdom

• Cheshire - Land Tax, 1778-1832 - 95%
• Warwickshire Parish Registers, 1538-present - 1%

United States

• Arkansas Marriages IV, 1837-1957 - 32%
• Arkansas County Marriages VI, 1837-1957 - 18%
• Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1916-1922 part 1 - 86%
• Indiana, Adams County Marriages, 1811-1959 - 4%
• Indiana, Allen County Marriages, 1811-1959 - 6%
• Indiana, Blackford County Marriages, 1811-1959 - 39%
• Indiana Marriages, 1882 to April 1905 - 90%
• Mississippi - 1920 U.S. Federal Census - 94%
• New York 1905 State Census - 13%
• Ohio Tax Records - 2 of 4, post 1825 - 76%
• Ohio Tax Records - 3 of 4, post 1825 - 1%
• Rhode Island - 1920 U.S. Federal Census - new
• South Carolina - 1920 U.S. Federal Census - 25%
• Vermont - 1920 U.S. Federal Census - new
• Vermont Militia Records, 1861-1867 - 40%

Venezuela

• Mérida Registros Parroquiales, 1654-1992 - 16%

Volunteers Transcribe 250 Million Historical Records

from FamilySearch International:

Incredible Effort Speeds Up Access to Online Genealogical Information

SALT LAKE CITY—FamilySearch volunteers reached a monumental milestone this week, transcribing their 250 millionth historical record.  The incredible online initiative started in January 2006 with a few thousand volunteers and has now grown to be the largest Web-based initiative of its kind with over 100,000 volunteers worldwide. The 250 millionth record was part of the current Nicaragua Civil Registration indexing project online at index.familyearch.org—one of 45 projects being indexed by online volunteers. It was extracted by three different online indexers from Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras.

FamilySearch manages the largest collection of genealogical collections in the world—2.5 million rolls of microfilm and millions of additional digital images from over 100 countries worldwide.

For decades, FamilySearch has allowed the public to use its collection for free through 4,500 family history centers throughout the world. In 2005, it began to improve access to its collection by converting microfilm to digital images that could be searched online. The next step was to create an online tool that volunteers around the world could use to look at the digital images and extract relevant data that could then be published online in searchable indexes linked to the digital images. FamilySearch Indexing is that tool.

“What makes the 250 million record milestone even more impressive is the fact that each record was actually indexed at least twice to ensure accuracy,” reported Paul Nauta, FamilySearch public affairs manager. “The result is an amazing searchable online index for people around the world,” Nauta added.

The unique quality control process means each document is transcribed by two different indexers. In the case of the 250 millionth record, the two indexers were from Nicaragua and Guatemala. Any discrepancies in their two transcriptions were then forwarded to a third volunteer—an arbitrator—who would have made any needed corrections between the two transcriptions. In this case, that arbitrator was from Honduras. “Three volunteers, three countries, one common goal—to provide access to the world’s genealogical records quicker and more economically,” said Nauta.

In 2006, FamilySearch volunteers indexed a total of 11 million records. “Today, thanks to the growth in our volunteer numbers, FamilySearch volunteers are now transcribing about a million names per day. At that rate, we expect to hit the 500 million milestone much quicker than the 250 million marker,” added Nauta.

Today, tens of thousands of volunteers, young and old, log on to indexing.familysearch.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from all over the world to help with the ongoing goal to transcribe the world’s genealogical records. Some donate a few minutes a month, others hours a day. Some do it as a sort of “pay it forward” activity because they have personally benefited in their family history research by using FamilySearch’s collections over the years. Others help because they like the idea that just a little bit of donated time can help preserve historic information and make it more available for public access.

Completed indexes are ultimately made available online for public access through FamilySearch.org or through one of FamilySearch’s family history centers.

FamilySearch, at any given time, has over 35 online indexing projects underway—many of them international projects. “Volunteers usually have a preference for one type of indexing project over another,” said Paul Starkey, FamilySearch Indexing project manager. “For example, if you have ancestors from Spain, you might be very motivated to help index the Spain Catholic Church records because it could facilitate your personal research once the completed indexes are published online.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or seeing what projects are being indexed can do so at www.indexing.familysearch.org.

FamilySearch Indexing: current projects, what's coming, and how to search the indexes

FamilySearch Indexing and its terrific volunteers continue to produce amazing results. Below is the status of current projects, a peek into what records will be indexed next, and information about searching the indexes for your ancestors.

Current FamilySearch Indexing Projects, Record Language, and Percent Completion

• Argentina, Buenos Aires 1855 Census Spanish (New)
• Argentina Censo 1869–Catamarca y La Rioja Spanish (New)
• Argentina Censo 1869–Corrientes y Entre Rios Spanish 44%
• Arkansas County Marriages V English 20%
• Australia NSW Newspaper Cuttings English 88%
• Belgium–Antwerp Foreigners Index Dutch, Flemish 27%
• Brandenburg Kirchenbücher German 49%
• España, Lugo–Registros Parroquiales [Part 1] Spanish 16%
• España, Ávila–Registros Parroquiales Spanish 78%
• France, Coutances, Paroisses de la Manche French 9%
• Germany, St Petersburg Church Records 1833-1885 German 1%
• Illinois, Cook County Birth Registers English (New)
• Italy, Trento Baptism Records, 1784-1924 Italian 60%
• Mexico Censo de 1930–Sinaloa Spanish (New)
• Mexico Censo de 1930–Sonora Spanish 88%
• Mexico Censo de 1930–Tabasco Spanish 70%
• Mexico Censo de 1930–Tamaulipas Spanish (New)
• Minnesota 1895 State Census English 74%
• Missouri–1920 US Federal Census English (New)
• Nevada–1920 US Federal Census English 89%
• New Mexico–1920 US Federal Census English 75%
• New York 1892 State Census English (New)
• Nicaragua, Managua Civil Records Spanish 13%
• Norway 1875 Census part 1 Norwegian 10%
• Perú, Lima–Registros Civiles Spanish 10%
• Rhode Island 1925 State Census English (New)
• UK, Cheshire–Land Tax English 58%
• UK, Cheshire–School Records English 44%
• Ukraine Kyiv 1840-1842 Russian 10%
• Venezuela Mérida Registros Parroquiales Spanish 1%

Current FamilySearch Partner Projects

• Arkansas Marriages IV English (New)
• Australia–Victoria Probate Records English 31%
• Belgique–Registres des Décès - Charleroi 1851-1900 Dutch, Flemish (New)
• Belgique–Registres Des Décès (Français) French 21%
• België–Overlijdens Registers–In het Nederlands Dutch, Flemish 74%
• België–Overlijdens Registers–Kalmthout 1851-1900 Dutch, Flemish (New)
• België–Overlijdens Registers–Mechelen 1851-1900 Dutch, Flemish (New)
• Bremer, Schifflisten German 42%
• Flanders Death Registration French, Dutch, Flemish 76%
• Indiana Marriages, 1882 to Apr 1905 English 82%
• Indiana Marriage Returns, 1882 to April 1905 English 31%
• Nova Scotia, Antigonish Church Records English 72%
• Ohio Tax Records–2 of 4 English 71%
• Vermont Militia Records English 37%

Upcoming Indexing Projects

Look for the following projects coming in the near future (Note: These projects are currently being created. Dates when indexing is scheduled to begin will vary.)

• Arkansas Marriages VI
• Arkansas Marriages VII
• Australia, Bounty Immigrants, 1824-1842
• Australia, Greenwich, Genealogical Records
• Austria, Vienna Population Cards
• Brazil, Pernambuco Civil Register 1900-1920
• Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Marriages 1900-10
• Canada, British Columbia Birth 1854-1903
• Canada, British Columbia Marriages
• Chicago Archdiocese Cemetery Records 1 (1864-1989)
• Czech, Litomerice Church Records - Part 1 1552-1905
• Freedmen Marriages
• Germany, Baden Church Books 1810-1869
• Germany, Mecklenburg 1890 Census
• Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates 1
• Indiana, Allen County Marriages 1811-1959
• Jamaica, Trelawny Births
• Peru, Lima Civil Register Index 1910-1930

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 1869 Census–Cordoba y San Luis
• Arkansas Marriages III
• Michigan–1920 US Federal Census
• Nayarit–Censo de Mexico de 1930
• New Brunswick 1871 Census
• New Hampshire–1920 US Federal Census
• New Jersey–1920 US Federal Census
• Nova Scotia–1871 Census
• Ontario–1861 Census
• Rhode Island 1915 State Census
• UK – Cheshire Parish Registers part 1

How to Volunteer

You can choose the records to index. But you first need to sign up to volunteer at www.FamilySearchIndexing.org.

Search the Indexes for Free

The indexes that are created by indexing volunteers are eventually published and freely searchable by clicking here.

4 million new records added to FamilySearch's Record Search pilot

FamilySearch Indexing continues to publish free indexes of historical records for the public to search. Over the holidays they added over 4 million new records including records from Brazil, Hungary, Czech Republic, Southern Bohemia, Třeboň, Arizona, West Virginia, and Indian Territory records from the 1900 U.S. census.

Collection Name	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Civil Registration		1,291,670	Updated – New localities added to browse
Hungary Funeral Notices		539,096	New
Czech Republic, Southern Bohemia, Třeboň Archive Church Books		24,835	New
Arizona Death Certificates	265,726	264,534	New
West Virginia Births	242,781		Ten new counties added
West Virginia Deaths	402,154		Ten new counties added
West Virginia Marriages	393,867		Ten new counties added
1900 United States Census	826,030		Added Indian Territory

How to Search these records

Visit http://pilot.familysearch.org.

How to help index

Looking for something else to do today? Index a few records from this project. Currently, you can choose to help index records from the following countries:

• Argentina
• Belgium
• Canada
• Germany
• Italy
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Norway
• Russia
• Spain
• United States

Visit www.familysearchindexing.com for more information.

Help index the 1916 Canadian Census

FamilySearch Indexing, the grandest genealogical project ever, is asking for our assistance in completing the indexing of the 1916 Canadian census by December 3, 2008. If you have an extra half hour this week, give it a try. It's easy to install the free software. Here is their message they sent to current indexers today:

Dear indexing volunteer,

We are currently indexing the 1916 Canadian Census. The project is 43% complete and our goal is to finish by December 3rd. We know that with the help of everyone in our worldwide network of indexers we can reach this goal.

If you have some time available during the next week, between your holiday celebrations, please download, index (or arbitrate), and submit at least one batch from this project.

If you have not indexed recently, the indexing application and help resources are available on the FamilySearch indexing Web site (www.familysearchindexing.org). Click here to read instructions specific to this project. Updates to the instructions and frequently-asked-questions are also available on the project revisions page.

Thank you for your interest and participation in FamilySearch indexing. If you would like to learn more about the 1916 Canadian Census, including a few fun facts, click here.

Happy Holidays,

The FamilySearch Indexing Team

For more information or to sign up, visit www.familysearchindexing.com.