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Scottish Church Records Index (view source)
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The ''Scottish Church Records Index'' (SCRI) is an index of extracted data from microfilmed copies of the Church of Scotland Old Parochial Records (OPRs) held by the Family History Library as well as limited entries from the library’s microfilmed non-conformist registers. The | The ''Scottish Church Records Index'' (SCRI) is an index of extracted data from microfilmed copies of the Church of Scotland Old Parochial Records (OPRs) held by the Family History Library as well as limited entries from the library’s microfilmed non-conformist registers. The index contains the records of about ten million births, christenings, and marriages from around 1578 to 1854. | ||
=== Issues === | === Issues === | ||
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=== Test Sample === | === Test Sample === | ||
A test sample of records were extracted from the register of baptisms | A test sample of records were extracted from the register of baptisms for Lasswade Parish. A five-year period from 1750-1754 was selected from which all entries were extracted. This resulted in 371 records that were searched for in the three indexes: SCRI, SB&B, and SP. SCRI was missing two entries - a 99% accuracy. The SB&B fell short at 68%, only including 253 of the 371 entries. The SP index was 99.7% accurate, missing only one entry. The preliminary study suggested the number of missing records in the SB&B index would be significant, creating a need for the SCRI. It also suggested data trends which could potentially define the parameters surrounding which entries are missing in the SB&B. | ||
=== Data Extracted for Study === | === Data Extracted for Study === | ||
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# From an alphabetized list of all of Scotland's parishes, each parish was assigned a random number using the random number generator in Microsoft Excel. | # From an alphabetized list of all of Scotland's parishes, each parish was assigned a random number using the random number generator in Microsoft Excel. | ||
# The random numbers with their associated parishes were arranged in numerical order, creating a new randomized list. | # The random numbers with their associated parishes were arranged in numerical order, creating a new randomized list of parishes. | ||
# Record extraction began from the parishes at the top of the list and continued until at least two parishes from each of Scotland’s thirty-four historical counties were included in the study. This resulted in 105 participating parishes. The randomization process naturally selected more parishes from counties with higher populations. | # Record extraction began from the parishes at the top of the list and continued until at least two parishes from each of Scotland’s thirty-four historical counties were included in the study. This resulted in 105 participating parishes. The randomization process naturally selected more parishes from counties with higher populations. | ||
# A random decade ranging between 1700 and 1850 was assigned to each of the selected parishes, specifying the time period from which the data extraction would begin. Where possible, both baptism and marriage data extractions began in the same year. From the start date, fifty records were extracted from the baptism registers while 25 marriages were extracted from the | # A random decade ranging between 1700 and 1850 was assigned to each of the selected parishes, specifying the time period from which the data extraction would begin. Where possible, both baptism and marriage data extractions began in the same year. From the start date, fifty records were extracted from the baptism registers while 25 marriages were extracted from the marriage registers. A total of 5203 baptismal records and 2584 marriage records were extracted from the registers. | ||
# The data were extracted from the original parish registers in the exact format that it appeared and was entered into a spreadsheet. | # The data were extracted from the original parish registers in the exact format that it appeared and was entered into a spreadsheet. | ||
# The entries on the spreadsheet were used to search the appropriate indexes. Each entry was searched for in SCRI, SB&B or SM and SP. | # The entries on the spreadsheet were used to search the appropriate indexes. Each entry was searched for in SCRI, SB&B or SM and SP. | ||
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'''Which index conforms most accurately to the original parish registers?''' | '''Which index conforms most accurately to the original parish registers?''' | ||
A comparison between the FamilySearch | A comparison between the FamilySearch indexes and SCRI showed that SCRI was more complete than the online indexes at ''FamilySearch''. SCRI's 98.9% accuracy bested the 85.6% accuracy found in the SB&B for baptisms and the 83% accuracy for marriage data found in the SM. When comparing SCRI's data to the indexes at ''Scotlandspeople'', they were essentially equals. Data from SP showed their indexes to be 99.2% complete in baptismal records and 97.1% in marriage data. A margin of error was not calculated into the analysis of this study. | ||
=== Discoveries === | === Discoveries === | ||
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=== Conclusion === | === Conclusion === | ||
Although the data shows interesting trends, the bottom line is that the study verified the SCRI to be more accurate than the other ''FamilySearch'' indexes. However, because the SCRI is not readily accessible, the recommended solution when researching at ''FamilySearch'' is to search the SB&B or SM indexes first. If the search produces negative results, | Although the data shows interesting trends, the bottom line is that the study verified the SCRI to be more accurate than the other ''FamilySearch'' indexes. However, because the SCRI is not readily accessible, the recommended solution when researching at ''FamilySearch'' is to search the SB&B or SM indexes first. If the search produces negative results, the SCRI or SP indexes should be consulted. | ||
=== Accessibility Solutions === | === Accessibility Solutions === | ||
# The SCRI is available on every computer at the Family History Library. Patrons visiting the library may access it from the computer's start menu | # The SCRI is available on every computer at the Family History Library. Patrons visiting the library may access it from the computer's start menu the same way any program or application is selected for use. | ||
# The SCRI is also available at Family History Centers as a downloadable add-on option. If your local Family History Center does not have the index available on their computers, staff members should be able to download it to a computer where it would be accessible from the start menu. | # The SCRI is also available at Family History Centers as a downloadable add-on option. If your local Family History Center does not have the index available on their computers, staff members should be able to download it to a computer where it would be accessible from the start menu. | ||
# For those who cannot use the SCRI at the Family History Library or Centers, it can be requested as a resource in the | # For those who cannot use the SCRI at the Family History Library or Centers, it can be requested as a resource in the Family History Library’s lookup service. | ||
[[Category: Church records in Scotland]] | [[Category: Church records in Scotland]] | ||