Indexing is the process of taking information on historical records and putting it into a digital format. Indexing turns the records into searchable sources, allowing researchers to find and attach them to ancestors in their family tree in FamilySearch.
Here's how it works.
- FamilySearch converts historical documents from around the world into digital images.
- Images are then grouped into projects.
- Each project is divided into batches of from 1–10 images. Each image can contain from 1 to 50 records.
- You sign in to indexing and check out batches from within these different projects. They remain in your My Batches list up to 7 days.
- After you index a batch, another person reviews it and can make changes.
- The indexes are then free of charge to everyone on FamilySearch.org.
To become a volunteer indexer, sign in to FamilySearch.org. At the top of the page, click Get Involved, followed by Indexing.
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