FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Updating links on Online Records Pages

Current Projects page Updating links on Online Records Pages

Purpose
This project will use previously created spreadsheets identifying broken links on the Online Records Pages for states and countries. We will update (whenever possible) or remove any of the broken links, as well as check for any new/updated record collections to go on the page.

Project Contact
Jane Colmenares

Task List
Task List

Part One - Repairing Broken Links
1. Go to the task list and sign up for a state or country Online Genealogy Records wiki page.

2. Click on the link to go to the google doc for this project. This document was created in a prior WikiProject identifying broken links on the pages.

3. Using the spreadsheet, identify each broken link on the page that is in need of repair. Often, this may be as simple as another website changing the name of one of their files. In other cases, it might refer to a collection that is no longer available.

4. First, go to the main website of the URL and search for that particular record, as this is the easiest way to find it. (i.e. Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, etc). If you are unfamiliar with searching on these sites, see instructions in Part Two.

5. If the website search did not work, using Google, do a search for the record collection and see if you might locate any other website/collection that might replace the existing one.

6. If you can find the same collection at another website, simply substitute that URL for the broken one, and place the new URL on the spreadsheet.

7. If you cannot locate a replacement URL for the broken one, remove the broken link from the page, and indicate this on your spreadsheet.

Part Two - Adding New Links to Pages
1. You will still be working with the same state or country that you did in Part One, only now you will be looking for additional record collections for the page, or any collections that may have changed since the page was last updated.

2. You will use the same spreadsheet and just go down to the next available line after all of the broken links and add any URL and description that you plan on adding to the page.

3. CHECK FAMILYSEARCH: Visit FamilySearch.org to see what new collections are available for the locality. a. Go to FamilySearch.org Historical Records: https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list   b. On the left of the screen find the locality under the Place list. For example, if you are doing Alabama, click on the United States link, then click on Alabama   c. Once the list comes up, on the right side of the screen, click on “last updated.” This will put the list of databases in chronological order of when the collections have been last updated. d. From that list, examine any collections that have been added in since 2012. e. Compare the list on FamilySearch with the Online Genealogy Records page to see if the newer databases are listed. f. NOTE: If you are doing a state in the US: you must check the state list and the US list for any country-wide new collections – except for federal censuses. We only list special state censuses on this page. g. If there are no new databases, skip to Step 4. h. If there is a new database not on the Online Genealogy Records page, go back to step 2 to click on the link to the google doc spreadsheet for this project and find the tab for your Online Genealogy Records page. i. Fill out the following fields regarding this collection:      i. Website name: Type in FamilySearch      ii. Collection name: Type in full name of collection    iii. Index/images: Pick one of the following that fits the collection:        1. index only        2. Images only        3. Index and images   iv. Is the database complete?: Pick one of the following that fits the collection. 1. Complete (meaning the collection covers the whole locality)        2. Incomplete (meaning they have not finished indexing and it is incomplete. Sometimes this is indicated on the “learn more” wiki page for the collection. If no notation is found, assume the collection is complete)    v. URL: Copy the URL and paste it in the field    vi. Collection number: Fill in the collection number. 1. This is found in the URL when you have clicked on the database. It is the group of numbers listed after “collection/” Example: collection number is highlighted: https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1661470

4. CHECK ANCESTRY: For the localities: US, Canada, France, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, visit Ancestry.com   a. Go to http://www.ancestry.com/cs/recent-collections    b. Use the drop down menu to locate your locality for your project. c. Compare the list on Ancestry with the Online Genealogy Records page to see if the newer databases are listed. d. Please check any collections that have been added in the last 2 years. Use the “Show more” link at the bottom of the page to see collections added earlier. e. NOTE: If you are doing a state in the US: you must check the state list and the US list for any country-wide new collections – except for federal censuses. We only list special state censuses on this page. f. We are only listing databases. Do not add any digital books. g. If there are no new databases, skip to Step 5. h. If there is a new database not on the Online Genealogy Records page, go back to step 2 to click on the link to the google doc spreadsheet for this project and find the tab for your Online genealogy records page. i. Fill out the following fields regarding this collection:         i. Website name: Type in Ancestry         ii. Collection name: Type in full name of collection       iii. Index/images: Pick one of the following that fits the collection:           1. index only           2. Images only           3. Index and images      iv. Is the database complete?: Pick one of the following that fits the collection. 1. Incomplete (meaning they have not finished indexing and it is incomplete. Sometimes this is indicated at the bottom of the collection under: Source information. If you find no indication either way, assume the collection is complete.)      v. URL: Copy the URL and paste it in the field