Here’s the next in my occasional series of bite-size Quick Tips. Click on the Quick Tips tag for my other Quick Tips. Because I tend to write longer posts, I wanted to provide a quick-to-read (and quick-to-write) post every couple of weeks on a small topic that pops into my head. This one could be really helpful if it’s not already your practice!
Always check the document image
If you’re doing research online and locate a document that pertains to your ancestor, you usually have the opportunity to click on a link that shows you the (typewritten) indexed information. And you also have the opportunity to click to see an image of the document itself. Please take the opportunity to look at the image.
Why look at the document image? Here’s a great reason: Not every bit of information is necessarily indexed, so you may glean information from looking at the document that you would have missed had you relied on the index. Another reason is that the document may not be indexed correctly, something you might be able to tell by looking at the document image.
Plus, in my opinion it’s fun to look at old handwritten documents. I take every opportunity I can!
Photo by Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash
That is so true! I’ve found wonderful information on some Irish records recently that weren’t on the index.
Thanks for weighing in, Mary!
Here in Australia, there is a newspaper archive called Trove. While there are many people who make corrections to the computerized conversion of analog to digital, the scanning is not good. It is essential to look at the oriiginal.
Yes! Thanks for weighing in, John!
Found my grandfathers birth registration that was indexed incorrectly . Indexer tracked the wrong line so he was listed as female.
Great find, Janet!