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Monday, December 29, 2008

An online meeting place for INDEXERS, ARBITRATORS, and ADMINISTRATORS

.   .   .   .   .    {Click on this to enlarge}    .   .   .   .   .
. . . . .   (After reading, use back-arrow to return) . . . . .

Please add your comments:  questions, answers, discussion;
also send a note to us at:  Charles.Edwin.Shipp@gmail.com

We are looking forward to your participation!
Charlie/Lynnette Shipp,  Stake Family History Directors.

16 comments:

  1. Google provides blogspots and gMail for free; this is the intermediate step to seeing a formal 'click' on the FamilySearchIndexing website. Look at the bottom right corner "How to Participate" for three phases.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The purpose of this blogsite is to present programs!
    For example, a Summer Youth Indexing program
    can be preceded by a Spring Parent/Youth Indexing program.
    Examples and exchange of successes will be coming in.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ============================================================
    Programs for you to consider; can you add to this list?
    1. Indexing teaches about documents
    2. Manning the Family History Center [FHC]
    3. Meeting w/Stake and Ward Leaders
    4. Index Training at the FHC (Stake Ctr)
    5. Indexing Goals -- making worthy goals
    6. People goals -- having inspired callings
    7. Goal Excitement & Leadership
    8. Boost/Call Active Indexers
    9. New Training for FH Consultants
    10. New Training for Members
    11. Spring Parent/Youth Program
    12. Summer Youth Indexing Pgm [SYI]
    13. FHC Valentine Buffet & Recognition
    14. Other programs -- Please ADD!

    Please add your own comments and add to this list!!
    This blogspot is for Discussion/ Q/A /Successes and
    Lessons Learned..... There is so much to do and say.

    ============================================================

    ReplyDelete
  4. ==========================================================
    FHC Valentine Buffet and Recognition (Can you plan it now?)
    Saturday February 14th 2009 is Valentines Day. Take the occasion
    to host a buffet recognition event for the dear sisters and brothers
    that serve in your Stk Ctr Family History Center. (Please RSVP)
    We plan to hold ours at 2pm and invite patrons and newly called
    brethren who will be covering on Saturday at the Family History
    Center so the Sisters can concentrate on the other FHC open days.
    We will also have certificates and invite our leadership to lend
    thanks and recognition to the event. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!!!
    RSVP: Charlie/Lynnette Shipp (310) 833-9186 FH Directors, or
    Stuart/Susie Bisk (310) 833-1565 High Council priesthood advisor.
    ==========================================================

    ReplyDelete
  5. ==========================================================
    ==========================================================
    ==========================================================
    Some brief comments on programs to consider:
    ==========================================================
    1. Indexing teaches about documents
    In addition to furthering the work (discovering ancestors of the world) the faithful learn how to read vital records and census records through the ages. The field help in INDEXING is tremendously instructive. Then when it comes to researching our own family lines, we know how. Birth record, marriage records, death records, land grant records, baptism records, school records, and military records are all possible to INDEXERS and ARBITRATORS. It is such a great learning opportunity.
    ==========================================================
    2. Manning the Family History Center [FHC]
    Frequent comment: members don’t utilize our talents at our stake family history centers. Consider having newly called ward family history consultants trained there. Also, have existing consultants consider indexing when they are in the center. For us, manning the center is a play on words, since we are going to have the brethren cover the center on Saturdays. This will allow our faithful sisters to serve on the weekdays together as they want to do.
    ==========================================================
    3. Meeting w/Stake and Ward Leaders
    One stake family history leader made appointments with each bishop in the stake to catch their visions and be on the same page. Another presents at the bishops training mtgs of the stake presidency. One goal is to visit the high priest group leadership meetings and explain they are the key people with ward family history consultants. The importance of manning the stake family history center can also be presented. And of course, we lead by being examples with our own family history, family organizations, temple work, and indexing when inspired to do so.
    ==========================================================
    4. Index Training at the FHC (Stake Ctr)
    See comments in “2. Manning the Family History Center.”
    We all want viable and well-used centers with visits, assistance and productivity. One way is to invite people in for training as ward family history consultants, stake indexing training, and leaders and families to be trained. Be creative and inspired.
    ==========================================================
    5. Indexing Goals -- making worthy goals
    A BYU stake wants to index a million in a year. (We include arbitrating.) One ward had 100 indexers and a goal of indexing 500,000 in 2008. One couple had a goal to index a ‘heavenly megacity of 250,000’ a quarter million (exceeded in 2008) and a million asap before 2012. At the start of the INDEXING program, one dear sister indexed 600,000 in the first 18 months. It is possible to index many -- very many. Some play computer games, some watch TV, and some INDEX, watching TV.
    ==========================================================
    6. People goals -- having inspired callings
    Like with sending our young elders and sisters out to the world, it not only benefits the receivers but the givers. People have great spiritual blessings as they index and arbitrate! Stake callings are given to benefit those called in the work. In one instance, a new member with great computer talent and an interest is called; and in another instance, a single grandmother finds great blessed fulfillment. Couple missionaries serve in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and around the world. Goals pertain not only to the number of ancestors indexed and arbitrated, but to the number of active people doing this important work, young and old.
    ==========================================================
    7. Goal Excitement & Leadership
    We lead by example, with our own family history work, family organizations and temple work. As an integral part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the work spoken of in the last verse of the Old Testament engenders a spirit of Elijah and enthusiasm for goal setting and leadership from the top and on down. We work together, but without the vision of leadership, many of the people wander. It starts with the Stake President(!)
    ==========================================================
    8. Boost/Call Active Indexers
    As with the ward mission team, you need to support, encourage and praise to keep indexers active; consider also calling new indexers (a stake calling) when inspired to do so. Although members and non-LDS can just volunteer, remember that it can also be a sacred calling from the stake. Ward leaders can be invited to recommend names of those with the talent and need for the calling. We then train them. “Ward family history consultant” is a ward calling and “Indexers” are called by the stake. The consultants can learn a lot by also indexing.
    ==========================================================
    9. New Training manual for FH Consultants
    Call the Family History helpline: 1-866-406-1830
    (It’s OK since very few read this comment here.)
    ==========================================================
    10. New Training for Members
    Just available is “MEMBER’S GUIDE to Temple and Family History Work” which many have now on their home laptops and desktop computers. You can also download it to your stake family history center computers. Call the Family History helpline: 1-866-406-1830 (since very few read this comment here.)
    ==========================================================
    11. Spring Parent/Youth Indexing Program
    To build the foundation for our Summer Youth Indexing program, we have a new campaign called, “Spring Parent/Youth Indexing”. Start with visibility to stake and ward leaders; then with a list of YM/YW from the stake clerk; and Invitation Letter to the parents. This will be followed up with phone contacting and material to start indexing. Present the concepts in bishops training meeting.
    ==========================================================
    12. Summer Youth Indexing Pgm [SYI]
    It may take a few iterations to see a successful program. That is one reason we start parents indexing while the students are in school. During the summer it is important to see youth rise above computer games and take the challenge of computer indexing. This sounds like an exciting opportunity to walk paths of righteousness, but it requires attention. Have youth leaders sign in early to start.
    ==========================================================
    13. FHC Valentine Buffet & Recognition
    Saturday February 14th 2009 is Valentines Day. Take the occasion
    to host a buffet recognition event for the dear sisters and brothers
    that serve in your Stk Ctr Family History Center. (Request RSVP.)
    We plan to hold ours at 2pm and invite patrons and newly called
    brethren who will be covering on Saturday at the Family History
    Center so the Sisters can concentrate on the other FHC open days.
    We will also have certificates and invite our leadership to lend
    thanks and recognition to the event. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!!!
    ==========================================================
    14. Other programs -- Please ADD!
    The area of family reunion (family organization) is fruitful!
    ==========================================================
    15. Encourage blogspots for Family Organizations
    For example, we invite you to http://ShippAhoy.blogspot.com
    ==========================================================
    Please add your own comments and add to this list!!
    This blogspot is for Discussion/ Q/A /Successes and
    Lessons Learned..... There is so much to do and say.

    ==========================================================

    ReplyDelete
  6. Family History Library visit
    “Listen! Support! Do.!.”
    Saturday 1-31-2009 in Salt Lake City Utah

    Attended two classes at the Salt Lake City Family History Library. The first was Early American Writing and the second was Older English Writing. We talked to both of the instructors: Sister Dawne Hole (HoleDL@FamilyHistory.org) and Sister Evva Benson (BensonEC@FamilyHistory.com) We have notes and handouts on each of these two classes. Norman notes that the best decoder-ring is the document you are reading.

    We told each instructor about http://FamiliesIndexingFamilies.org which we hope they will visit. Then we had lunch with Brother and Sister Davis to share and exchange indexing experiences (ArnoldLee.Davis@FamilySearch.org) They are interested in having senior couple missionaries. We visited their mission office on the third floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and one side is ‘training’ and the other side ‘leadership’ plus the middle. (Karen.Davis@FamilySearch.org) 208-406-3629.

    Norman went over some Indexing tips to save time and be efficient. He can dup down the columns at the first of the records and showed also other instances of shortcuts. We looked out to President Monson’s office in the LDS Admin Bldg.

    In the future, some of the writing classes will be online but some of the material (website references) need copyright permission first. They could be stored and replayed. In addition to the seats in the virtual classroom, there could be internet visitors to the website standing to listen and watch only, no interaction.

    We went to Brighton Gardens and Richard completed ‘inviting’ Mother Leila in to be and ‘author’ to create paragraph ‘posts’. We also showed about ‘comments’ and she created her first post. Visited with Kherna for a moment. Thought of Father’s couple photo portrait on the wall and he thanked us for tying Mother in the circle of support and love.

    On the way to McCammon Idaho we discussed the day and Indexing, more notes. We discussed the meaning of 2y0m being exactly two years old. Knowing how the data will be used can be valuable, one would think, such as Family Number. Told Norman that the Arbitrator can turn back one of the Indexers, if he hits the arrow and indicates which one. We should be early testers for the new Forum as it is developed.

    We will be presenting to Brother Bryon Mortensen on Thursday. We will want to have some writing to leave with him: especially on the FamiliesIndexingFamilies blogspot (California users group) and also the main suggestion on the Forum on design development. We can write down suggested requirement guidelines.
    [I could have written a shorter note, but didn't have TIME.]

    ReplyDelete
  7. We learned at the Indexing presentations (on how to read old handwriting) that presenters do far better when they include examples of what they are talking about in their presentations. It takes no more time to have examples projected on the screen as the presenter is talking, and a picture is worth . . .

    So, that was the main lesson I learned.

    As far as the old alphabet characters, the handout and/or online samples, will be like a KEY to reading the old text. Without the KEY, you don't go very far.

    The other thing I wished was the one of the presenters would have taken questions. The questions I had in mind would have taken about 5 seconds or less to ask, and probably about 10-15 seconds at most to answer. My conclusions is/was that since we are the purpose of the presentation (to learn), it is worth the presenter's time to let the class members ask pertinent and short questions. Mine went unanswered (except for what I made up as answers for myself).

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please ask your questions here . . .
    RCS, Thanks for your critical review -- "Your critic is your best friend." Yes, the first presenter needed cursive writing illustrations, but took questions; and the second presenter had cursive writing illustrations, but didn't take questions.
    Please ask your questions here . . .

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, my name is Norman. I am an Indexer/Arbitrator and came across an interesting problem.

    I was arbitrating and found that the first family’s surname was missing. So, as usual, I looked on the “previous” image to find the last family’s name (at the bottom of the page). I found it OK. But, I also noticed that the “previous” family number was 388, where the family number on the arbitration page was only 380. That seemed odd to me. So, I looked closer and found that both pages were duplicates!

    I called the Indexer Help in SLC (866-406-1830) and explained the dilemma. My concern was that if I returned the record as “duplicate record”, that it may not have been properly indexed. Also, I wanted to help them identify the “system problem” of having the same document show up as “previous”.

    The bottom line was that they took the record information (New Jersey – 1920 US Federal Census, File #004313313, Batch #1014) and will check to see 1) if it had been indexed properly, and 2) to see why it showed up as the “previous” record.

    I went ahead and sent the record back using “Return this batch and take it out of circulation / Other” as per their request. I contacted my Indexing Administrator and explained the situation, per the directions I received after returning the batch.

    It was an interesting issue!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks Norman, for finding the correct procedure! Well done!!
    This website is an excellent place to record such directives. We
    learn from each other and this world and the next all benefit. .!.

    One thing others can consider is to sign in as a 'Follower', which
    will give them eMail notification when a new note is added here.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, I called the SLC Indexing Help (866-406-1830) again today, to report an Indexer problem and/or a system problem that I ran into earlier this morning….

    I was arbitrating the New Jersey – 1920 US Federal Census again and found that 19 of 20 batches had Indexer A with “No Extractable Data”. I checked each record and found that there was data that could be easily read and extracted. In fact, Indexer B found everything as well.

    I couldn’t believe 19 of 20 batches all had Indexer A inputting the same thing! SLC was thankful for the “heads up”. I should have written the File/Batch #’s to give them.

    This brings up a bigger issue... QUALITY.

    I would like to see some sort of “Quality” information available for the Administrators. As it is, only a personal visit (to observe)can help with identifying training needs. Of course, after training Indexers, monitoring visits are less often and problems can creep in. If an Administrator were to see “returned batches” start/increase, additional training needs could be addressed in a timely manner.

    Also, as I arbitrate census records, most of the problems lately have to do with one Indexer forgetting to fill out the Rent/Own column. It would be nice if some automatic check could remind Indexers.

    Maybe the automatic check could be done with a flag for the field….. i.e., if any Own/Rent filed is marked in one batch, the 2nd one would have it “required”. Of course, if the 1st batch missed it, and the 2nd one had the “flag”, then the record could be resubmitted to redo the indexing with the Own/Rent field “required”.

    In any event, saving some arbitrating time for the relatively quick fix of the field may not be worth a full re-indexing of a record. Maybe the record, if requiring focus on just that field, could be re-indexed with a note for just that field. Again, it all starts with developing the auto-flag that precedes arbitration, thus saving arbitrating time with automation.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Regarding one indexer getting "rent" or "own" correct and the other indexer leaving that field out entirely, it shows one instance of how pre-processing could aid the work of arbitrating. Just add in the work of the indexer filling in this field for the arbitrator. It is a minor field anyway.

    My experience is that when one arbitrator is filling in 'R' or 'O' they always get it correct, I've never seen an indexer get it wrong when they are filling in that field. There were a few times (over thousands and thousands) that one indexer filled in 'O' or 'R' for all family members, but what does that matter?

    The other example of where preprocessing would help the arbitrator is when one indexer puts "Widow" [incorrect] and the other puts "Widowed" [correct.] Why should the arbitrator have to take time to select the correct entry when the computer could just fill it in?

    Example pseudo-code:Step One: If Index-A is 'widow' and Index-B is 'widowed';
    . . . . . . . . . . . Then set Arb to 'widowed'.
    Step Two: Set flag to 'decided' (and thus remove "scales-icon".)

    The whole area/idea of preprocessing may not be acceptable, but it should be. ... ... ... Maybe during the Millennium.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Correction to pseudo-code, step one:

    If Index-A is 'widow' and Index-B is 'widowed';
    . . . Or if Index-B is 'widow' and Index-A is 'widowed';
    . . . . . . . Then set Abr to 'widowed'.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Here's the pseudo-code for 'R/O/blank':If Index-A is ('R' or 'O') and Index-B is ' ';
    . . . . Then set Arb to Index-A;
    Else;
    . . If Index A is ' ' and Index-B is ('O' or 'R');
    . . . . Then set Arb to Index-B;

    Does this seem easy? It should be. Ask the programmers.

    ReplyDelete
  15. When you put a comment in it is there to stay.
    On the other hand, authors can edit posts.
    I am having trouble with line-spacing and preceding blanks.

    I wanted the pseudo-code to look like this:

    If Index-A is ('R' or 'O') and Index-B is ' ';
    . . . . Then set Arb to Index-A;
    Else;
    . . If Index A is ' ' and Index-B is ('O' or 'R');
    . . . . Then set Arb to Index-B;

    Does this seem easy? ... ... ... Or will it wait for the Millennium?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Add another program to the list for a summer indexing program:

    Combine Family Home Evening and Summer Youth Indexing!

    => http://FamilyIndexingLessons.blogspot.com <=
    ( ( has the four lessons and additional material. ) )


    ReplyDelete