If you have indexed records, you know that indexing is an important step that must occur before valuable records can be published online. To index a project, you will log on to your account at FamilySearch and click “indexing”. When you do this, a drop down menu will appear, where you will click “web indexing”. A window will open where you can choose a project to index. You may have noticed that many of the projects also contain a button that says “review”, all records that have been indexed are then reviewed before they are uploaded to FamilySearch.

Reviewing is the quality check that takes place after a record is indexed. Batches of indexed records must go through this step before they can be published. This important step is to be completed by experienced indexers, who have indexed 1000 or more records on the web indexing system. This requirement is intended to give volunteers time to become familiar with web indexing and many types of projects before they begin reviewing.

Once volunteers have review rights, they are encouraged to do both activities, indexing and reviewing. Both activities are vital to publishing these records and making them searchable.

If you have indexed 1,000 or more records, try your hand at “review” this is important work that must be completed before those who use FamilySearch for research have access to these records. If you are new to indexing or have not indexed the required number to be a reviewer, you may consider setting a goal to reach this number and to not only index records, but also review them, what a great way to serve one another in this great work.

— Elaine Hardman – Granite Family History Center – communications