What is wrong with an index?
There are several kinds of indices that you can find online when you
are doing genealogical research. Let me explain the issues that we see.
The first problem with almost any index is transcription errors. An
index is a secondary source, transcribed from a primary source. Transcription
errors are easy to make, but when you cannot see the original to verify, it is
impossible to tell if the index is correct.Old handwriting can be difficult so it is always better to have the original to study.
The second problem is that an index almost never includes all the
information on the original document. If you have participated in any indexing
of records through Ancestry.com or Family Search.org, you know that you key in
only selected fields. Those selected fields may not include the information we
need to successfully prove a lineage.
Here are some examples:
·
Index of recent documents such as the California
Death Index: Generally, if you find an event listed in one of these indices of
recent occurrences, you can be certain that an actual certificate for the event
exists and can be ordered. These indices are generally databases of the original
documents that are on file. We depend on the actual long form certificates for
more than just the date and place of the event. Since the most important part
of a lineage application is making the link between generations, we depend on
having the information on the names of the person’s parents and often the name
of the spouse. The original document should always be requested when an event
is found in an index like this.
·
Index of historical records such as the Ohio
Marriages database on FamilySearch.org: Mose indices of this type are
transcriptions of very old records, often from microfilm. The original images
will someday be digitized, but they are not yet. As indicated above, only
selected fields from the original record have been indexed which may or may not
include what you need. For the collections on FamilySearch, the original
microfilm number is usually at the bottom of the page. You can use the website
to request a copy of the microfilm at your local Family History Center where
you can view and print a copy of the original record.
·
Social Security Death Index (SSDI): Not everyone
will be included in the SSDI - the deceased person must have collected benefits
to be included and not every death gets reported. The only data element that can be reliably collected here is
the date of death. The location is where the last check was mailed, not where
the person died. For more detailed information, you can send in a request for
the original Social Security application, the SS5. That document will include
date and place of birth and the names of the person’s parents, all key
information for proving a lineage.
Indices can be very useful records, but they should mainly be used as
clues to help you find the original records that you need to prove your
lineage. There are times that the original records no longer exist and the
index is all we have. In such cases, make sure you include the title page of
the index book or collection and a copy of the introductory text that explains
the circumstances of the transcriptions and the fate of the original records.
