Volunteers needed to create free online indexes

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH—FamilySearch published online today the digital images of the 1885, 1935, and 1945 Florida state censuses. The digital images will be used to create indexes to the collection that will then be available online for free to the public. Patrons can view the digital images at FamilySearch.org (go to "Search Records" and then "Record Search pilot") or volunteer to help create the indexes at FamilySearch.org (go to "Index Records").

The publication of the Florida state census images is the result of FamilySearch's ongoing effort to publish searchable images and indexes for select state censuses for all of the United States. Before the images were published online, FamilySearch patrons had to view them on microfilm through a local family history center or archive. Now patrons can readily access the census images online along with hundreds of millions of additional images at FamilySearch.org.

The 1885, 1935, and 1945 censuses, with a few exceptions, are nearly complete enumerations of Florida's residents during those periods. "They are excellent sources for family historians because they fill in the blanks between the federal censuses conducted every 10 years," said Paul Nauta, FamilySearch manager of public affairs. Local censuses were designed to collect specific data, such as the financial strengths and needs of communities for planning purposes; tallies of school-age children and potential school populations to predict needs for teachers and facilities; and lists to monitor population growth and migration.

1885 Florida State Census
Thirty-five of the 39 counties are included in this census. Only Alachua, Clay, Columbia, and Nassau are not included, because they are missing from the originals held by the National Archive and Record Administration. The 1885 Florida state census is particularly valuable because the 1890 U.S. Federal Census was mostly destroyed by fire. The 1885 census includes schedules for population, agriculture, manufactures, and mortality.

1935 Florida State Census
Digital images for all counties are represented, although some precincts are missing. This census consists of a population schedule only, which includes the name, address, age, sex, race, relation to family, place of birth, degree of education, whether home owner or renter, and occupation. FamilySearch arranges the images alphabetically by county and then geographically by election precinct to help facilitate searching.

1945 Florida Census
This census contains the same type of information as is included in the 1935 census, and similar to that record, a few precincts are missing in some counties. In the 1945 census, African Americans and Caucasians were enumerated on separate forms. Users will want to be aware of this when searching the images.

Volunteers Needed
FamilySearch is using its online force of volunteers to create a free online index to each census. Volunteers use their home computers to download images of the census and use FamilySearch's proprietary indexing software to transcribe select information highlighted on the digital images of the originals. The results are published as free, fully searchable indexes online at FamilySearch.org. No specific skills are required to volunteer. Volunteers need only Internet access and the ability to read and type. A typical indexing batch takes about 30 minutes to complete. Individuals wanting to volunteer can do so online at FamilySearch.org (go to "Index Records").

FamilySearch has previously published census data for Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Additional states are in development. Close to 500 million indexed names have been published using the volunteer indexing program.

FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization that maintains the world's largest repository of genealogical resources. Patrons may access resources online at FamilySearch.org or through the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and over 4,500 family history centers in 70 countries. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. and is registered in the United States of America and other countries.

###

For further information, please contact:
Paul Nauta
FamilySearch Public Affairs Manager
nautapg@familysearch.org
801-240-6498