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This is the syllabus for a class taught by '''[[User:RaymondRS|Robert Raymond]]''' and represents his private opinions. Suggestions for changes should be made on this page's [[Talk:Life After the IGI|Discussion page]]. | This is the syllabus for a class taught by '''[[User:RaymondRS|Robert Raymond]]''' and represents his private opinions. Suggestions for changes should be made on this page's [[Talk:Life After the IGI|Discussion page]]. | ||
= The IGI = | == The IGI == | ||
The International Genealogical Index (IGI) is a computer file published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It contains several hundred million entries, each recording one event, such as a birth, baptism (christening), marriage, or death.<br> | The International Genealogical Index (IGI) is a computer file published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It contains several hundred million entries, each recording one event, such as a birth, baptism (christening), marriage, or death.<br> | ||
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Over time the value of the file to the general public was recognized, and the fourth edition, published in 1981, was the first to be called the ''International Genealogical Index''. It contained 81 million names. In 1984, the IGI was offered for sale to the public.<ref>James B. Allen, et al., ''Hearts Turned to the Father'', a special issue of ''BYU Studies'' 34:2 (1994-95), pp. 306, 317-9; digital images online (http://byustudies.byu.edu/showtitle.aspx?title=123 : accessed 28 December 2010).</ref> | Over time the value of the file to the general public was recognized, and the fourth edition, published in 1981, was the first to be called the ''International Genealogical Index''. It contained 81 million names. In 1984, the IGI was offered for sale to the public.<ref>James B. Allen, et al., ''Hearts Turned to the Father'', a special issue of ''BYU Studies'' 34:2 (1994-95), pp. 306, 317-9; digital images online (http://byustudies.byu.edu/showtitle.aspx?title=123 : accessed 28 December 2010).</ref> | ||
= Make It Do or Do Without = | == Make It Do or Do Without == | ||
While the IGI is useful as a genealogical tool, it wasn’t designed as such and contains some rather severe shortcomings. <br> | While the IGI is useful as a genealogical tool, it wasn’t designed as such and contains some rather severe shortcomings. <br> | ||
== Missing Entries | === Missing Entries === | ||
Because it was designed as a tool to prevent duplication, “extracted records…that were duplicates of patron-submitted entries [were] not added to the IGI,” wrote Nichols.<ref>Elizabeth L. Nichols, “The International Genealogical Index 1992 Edition: Part 2: More about Temple Records,” ''Genealogists’ Magazine'' 24 (December 1993): 352.</ref> “If an entry was already in the file through another source, the duplicate entry from the extraction program was not added.”<ref>Elizabeth L. Nichols, “International Genealogical Index (IGI), 1993 Edition—Part IV,” ''Federation of Genealogical Societies Forum'', Fall 1994, 6.</ref> | Because it was designed as a tool to prevent duplication, “extracted records…that were duplicates of patron-submitted entries [were] not added to the IGI,” wrote Nichols.<ref>Elizabeth L. Nichols, “The International Genealogical Index 1992 Edition: Part 2: More about Temple Records,” ''Genealogists’ Magazine'' 24 (December 1993): 352.</ref> “If an entry was already in the file through another source, the duplicate entry from the extraction program was not added.”<ref>Elizabeth L. Nichols, “International Genealogical Index (IGI), 1993 Edition—Part IV,” ''Federation of Genealogical Societies Forum'', Fall 1994, 6.</ref> | ||
== Specifying Locations | === Specifying Locations === | ||
Because it was not designed as a tool for genealogists, locations were indexed only to the U.S. state or U.K. county. Genealogists really needed to search at the city or parish level. | Because it was not designed as a tool for genealogists, locations were indexed only to the U.S. state or U.K. county. Genealogists really needed to search at the city or parish level. | ||
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If you can’t identify the batch number, you can’t search the location. <br> | If you can’t identify the batch number, you can’t search the location. <br> | ||
== Mish Mash | === Mish Mash === | ||
Extracted records are useful to genealogists as indexes to evidentiary information. | Extracted records are useful to genealogists as indexes to evidentiary information. | ||
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Once again, the batch number provided a workaround. Check the first letter of the batch number to distinguish an extracted entry from a member submission.<br> | Once again, the batch number provided a workaround. Check the first letter of the batch number to distinguish an extracted entry from a member submission.<br> | ||
== Source Citations | === Source Citations === | ||
If designed for genealogists, the source citations included in member submissions would have been keyed into the computer with the rest of the submission. Without the source citations, the information is far less valuable. | If designed for genealogists, the source citations included in member submissions would have been keyed into the computer with the rest of the submission. Without the source citations, the information is far less valuable. | ||
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For extracted entries, the ''Parish and Vital Records List ''(PVRL) identified the locality, time period, and record type of each batch number. The PVRL also provided the means of determining the scope and coverage of extracted records in the IGI.<ref>Elizabeth L. Nichols, “International Genealogical Index (IGI), 1993 Edition—Part II,” ''Federation of Genealogical Societies Forum'', Spring 1994, 4.</ref> <br> | For extracted entries, the ''Parish and Vital Records List ''(PVRL) identified the locality, time period, and record type of each batch number. The PVRL also provided the means of determining the scope and coverage of extracted records in the IGI.<ref>Elizabeth L. Nichols, “International Genealogical Index (IGI), 1993 Edition—Part II,” ''Federation of Genealogical Societies Forum'', Spring 1994, 4.</ref> <br> | ||
= Designed for Genealogists | == Designed for Genealogists == | ||
Now, almost 40 years later, FamilySearch is replacing the IGI with tools designed for genealogists.<br> | Now, almost 40 years later, FamilySearch is replacing the IGI with tools designed for genealogists.<br> | ||
== Member Submissions | === Member Submissions === | ||
Member submissions—which are conclusionary information—have been moved to the place where genealogical conclusions should be kept: the new FamilySearch conclusion tree. Some of you don’t have access to the tree. Be patient. It is coming. Until then, ask family history center staff to perform searches for you. | Member submissions—which are conclusionary information—have been moved to the place where genealogical conclusions should be kept: the new FamilySearch conclusion tree. Some of you don’t have access to the tree. Be patient. It is coming. Until then, ask family history center staff to perform searches for you. | ||
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In instances where submitters are still active genealogists, they have “claimed” their submissions and made their current contact information available. Otherwise, you must still resort to utilizing batch numbers. Regardless, a tree is a much better place to store genealogical conclusions.<br> | In instances where submitters are still active genealogists, they have “claimed” their submissions and made their current contact information available. Otherwise, you must still resort to utilizing batch numbers. Regardless, a tree is a much better place to store genealogical conclusions.<br> | ||
== Extracted Records | === Extracted Records === | ||
Data extracted from parish and vital records has been published as historical record collections on FamilySearch.org. There is no need to check the batch number to distinguish extracted data from member submissions. There is no need to use the batch number as a substitute for a citation. Locations can be specified by name rather than by batch number.<br> | Data extracted from parish and vital records has been published as historical record collections on FamilySearch.org. There is no need to check the batch number to distinguish extracted data from member submissions. There is no need to use the batch number as a substitute for a citation. Locations can be specified by name rather than by batch number.<br> | ||
= Historical Records Search = | == Historical Records Search == | ||
Use these tips to search IGI data in historical record collections. These instructions reflect the FamilySearch website at the time this syllabus was submitted. Search for this syllabus in the FamilySearch Wiki for the most current instructions. | Use these tips to search IGI data in historical record collections. These instructions reflect the FamilySearch website at the time this syllabus was submitted. Search for this syllabus in the FamilySearch Wiki for the most current instructions. | ||
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These instructions reflect the FamilySearch website at the time this syllabus was submitted. Search for this syllabus in the FamilySearch Wiki for the most current instructions.<br> | These instructions reflect the FamilySearch website at the time this syllabus was submitted. Search for this syllabus in the FamilySearch Wiki for the most current instructions.<br> | ||
= Conclusion | == Conclusion == | ||
The IGI, a great resource with several limitations, has been replaced with genealogically sound tools. Member submissions can be searched in the new Family Tree (temporarily found at http://new.familysearch.org). Extracted information can be searched in the historical record collections of http://www.familysearch.org. | The IGI, a great resource with several limitations, has been replaced with genealogically sound tools. Member submissions can be searched in the new Family Tree (temporarily found at http://new.familysearch.org). Extracted information can be searched in the historical record collections of http://www.familysearch.org. | ||
= References | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:FamilySearch]] | |||