Indexing is such a great way to introduce yourself to family history if you haven’t already begun.  If you are already involved in family history, you’ve seen the benefits of indexing as blue hint boxes pop up on your screen signifying a source hint for an ancestor.  Indexing is a great –and fun—way to help move the work along!

Become part of the Family Search indexing volunteer effort that makes billions of searchable records available online.  Billions of records have been scanned as images by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but until they are indexed, they are not searchable.  These records include birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, census details, military records, passenger lists, and many other historical records which when indexed are added to an online database.  This database can then be used by people all over the world to help find and research their ancestors. 

Indexing helps everybody!  You will be providing millions of people throughout the world, including yourself,  with an increase of valuable records.  An email I received from FamilySearch stated that 122 million records were indexed in 2018 and over 110 million discoveries were made through searchable records. These records can help validate an ancestor so their temple work can be completed.  Your indexing really can make a difference. Many blessings will come into your life as you serve others by indexing.

If you are new to indexing and would like to learn more, please join our Web Indexing class (Beginners) held at the Granite Family History Center on Tuesday, January 29, at 7:00 pm or on Wednesday, January 30, at 11:00 am.  This class will provide an overview of the web indexing program on FamilySearch.  A current login for FamilySearch.org or lds.org and basic computer skills are recommended.  –Jeannette Hewlett