Introduction
Infinity is the process by which FamilySearch acquires, digitizes, and publishes records. Our goal is to publish digitized record images on FamilySearch.org within 48 hours. By quickly and correctly publishing digitized record images, we enable guests worldwide to discover, gather, and connect their families and ancestors. One of the ways FamilySearch accomplishes this goal is by publishing records through localized facilities, which includes capturing images where the records are located. This introduction provides a brief overview of the Infinity components in which a volunteer may be asked to participate to help FamilySearch achieve this worthy goal.
Learning Objectives
After reviewing this instruction, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of camera capture (or DCam)
- Define the ingest process and why it is necessary
- Identify the importance of auditing images
- Explain why it is necessary to perform metadata audits
- Describe the reasons for organizing images
Camera Capture (DCam)
Camera capture is the process by which images are captured by camera operators. Camera operators usually work in a designated archive to capture images approved by contract with the archive. During camera capture, a first metadata audit takes place as camera operates evaluate images to determine what will be captured for the project. Audits performed by camera operators also evaluate image quality and standards. If images are not high quality or do not meet certain standards, an image recapture will need to be completed. Captured images are saved to a hard drive (HD) and shipped to a FamilySearch ingest center for further processing.
Ingest
Another word for ingest is upload. This is the process of receiving hard drives shipped by a camera operator at a FamilySearch ingest center and uploading the hard drive content so that it can be audited and organized. Hard drives contain images captured by camera operators. After a camera operator completes the process of capturing images, they send the hard drive to a FamilySearch ingest center where the images are uploaded and removed from the hard drive. An important aspect of ingest is to determine that the files on the hard drive were successfully captured and do not contain errors. Occasionally, a hard drive may become corrupt or have trouble saving captured images. The ingest process catches hard drive errors. If hard drive errors are detected, a new hard drive is sent to the camera operator so they can recapture the images on a working hard drive.
Image Audit
Image audit is the process of viewing images within a project at random to make ensure the images were captured correctly during camera capture. The purpose for image audit is to determine whether image meet the following FamilySearch standards:
- The images are not out of focus
- The images are not skewed
- The image is not obscured or covered by any objects
- The images were captured in the correct mode
- The images are not missing pages or documents
- The pages for each image are completely captured
- The images are not overexposed or underexposed (too dark or too light)
- The images are properly cropped
- The images do not have reflections
- The images are not duplicated or defective
Metadata Audit
The purpose of metadata audit is to make content easily searchable on FamilySearch.org, manage image inventory, and satisfy partner relation needs. A metadata audit is often performed simultaneously with the image audit, but it can also be performed during camera capture. Images are often grouped with similar metadata, such as time period, locality, or record type. Metadata audits are important for identifying the type of data contained in the images. A project is identified by the images within the project. Metadata is often grouped in the following ways:
- Natural group
- Record title
- Volume Designation
- Dates
- Archive reference numbers
- Locality
- Language
- Record type
Image Organize
Image organize is the process of organizing large collections of images and reducing them to smaller, more manageable batches or groups (referred to as items). This process makes images more searchable until they can be indexed. Once the images are indexed, they become searchable by name on FamilySearch.org. Indexing creates hints in Family Tree, which helps guests discover, gather, and connect their families. During image organize, images are divided into image groups. Image groups should be organized according to what makes sense based on the type of record, good judgement, and training resources.
Summary
Now that you have a brief overview for and introduction to the Infinity process, you will begin learning more about your specific volunteer responsibilities. Additionally, we hope this overview helps you understand how important each step is in the Infinity process. Each part of the Infinity process is important in its own way. The work you will perform helps FamilySearch.org display high quality digital images quickly and makes it possible for guests to more easily discover, gather, and connect with their families.