Help with Full Name Review

Article Id: 23980
December 21, 2023

With Full Name Review, your task is to compare the name in a historical document with the name that the computer transcribed. The two names should be exactly the same. If you see a mistake in the transcription, you can correct it.

This simple contribution makes it possible for someone else to find the ancestor during a record search.

How to get there

From the FamilySearch website, click the tab titled Get Involved. Next, click Opportunities. You will see an option for starting Full Name Review about halfway down the page.

Depending on what projects are available, you will have the option to choose the country where the names come from.

Steps (web)

  1. Is this person’s full name highlighted?
    1. Look in the document and decide if a complete name has been correctly highlighted.
    2. If everything appears correct, click Yes (the activity will skip to Step 3, below).
    3. If part of the name is missing a highlight, or if a word that isn’t a name is highlighted, click No.
  2. Add or remove highlights to complete this person’s full name:
    1. To add or remove a highlight, hover the mouse over the name or word and click it.
    2. Continue adding or removing highlights until only the complete name is highlighted.
    3. When you are ready, click Next.
  3. Drag the name parts to the correct label and order:
    1. Look at the column of names in the transcription pane on the right side of the screen.
    2. Decide if the computer has organized the name correctly.
    3. If everything looks correct, click Next.
    4. If you see a mistake, click the name, and drag it to the correct place in the name column.
    5. Click Add or Remove Fields to remove a name field that doesn’t belong or to create a new name field for any part of the name that might be missing. This includes prefixes and suffixes like “Mrs.,” “Mr.,” and “Jr.”
    6. When you are ready, click Next.
  4. Correct the spelling of each part of this person’s name:
    1. Look at the name in the transcription pane and compare it with the name in the document.
    2. If you see a mistake anywhere in the transcription, go ahead and correct it.
    3. Click Next.
  5. Are any of the given names or surnames mentioned anywhere else in the document?
    1. If so, they should be highlighted.
    2. Hover the mouse over the name and click it.
    3. In the transcription pane to the right, click the name and move it to the correct name category.
    4. When you are ready, click Submit.

How do I correct transcription errors in historical records?
What languages are available for Review Names on Get Involved?
Where can I see how many names I have indexed or reviewed?

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