FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Creating Online Records Pages

Current Projects page Creating Online Records Pages

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to gather country-wide online databases (images and indexes) and other important resources onto a spreadsheet to later create a Online Records page for every country on the wiki. This project will be done in two parts.

Project Contact

Jane Colmenares

Task List

Project Instructions

Part One - Finding applicable collections

1. Go to the task list and sign up for a country .

2. Click on the link to go to the google doc for this project. All the databases and websites you find will be recorded onto this google doc.

Looking for databases and websites for your country

Before you begin - We are looking for websites that fit the following criteria:

a. Country-wide online databases and indexes to records and digital images

b. Website resources that will help someone determine where their ancestor lived including gazetteers and maps

Use the following list to locate these databases and websites

1. Check the country wiki page - Someone may have already gathered some relevent websites for researching in this country. On the country page look for lists of websites on the main country page. Also look to see if there is a link to "websites" or "online records" on the topic list to the left of the main country page.

2. Check FamilySearch - Visit FamilySearch.org to see what collections are available for the locality.

a. Go to FamilySearch.org Historical Records: https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list

b. On the left of the screen type in the country in the search box. All the relevant collections will now be listed.

c. Once the list comes up, compare the list to any collections you may have already listed.

d. If there are no new databases, skip to Step 6.

e. If there is a new database not already on your spreadsheet, fill in the necessary information on the spreadsheet for each new database. Use

6. CHECK ANCESTRY: For the localities: US, Canada, France, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, visit Ancestry.com
a. Go to http://www.ancestry.com/cs/recent-collections
b. Use the drop down menu to locate your locality for your project.
c. Compare the list on Ancestry with the Online Genealogy Records page to see if the newer databases are listed.
d. Please check any collections that have been added in the last 2 years. Use the “Show more” link at the bottom of the page to see collections added earlier.
e. NOTE: If you are doing a state in the US: you must check the state list and the US list for any country-wide new collections – except for federal censuses. We only list special state censuses on this page.
f. We are only listing databases. Do not add any digital books.
g. If there are no new databases, skip to Step 5.
h. If there is a new database not on the Online Genealogy Records page, go back to step 2 to click on the link to the google doc spreadsheet for this project and find the tab for your Online genealogy records page.
i. Fill out the following fields regarding this collection:
i. Website name: Type in Ancestry
ii. Collection name: Type in full name of collection
iii. Index/images: Pick one of the following that fits the collection:
1. index only
2. Images only
3. Index and images
iv. Is the database complete?: Pick one of the following that fits the collection.
1. Incomplete (meaning they have not finished indexing and it is incomplete. Sometimes this is indicated at the bottom of the collection under: Source information. If you find no indication either way, assume the collection is complete.)
v. URL: Copy the URL and paste it in the field

Filling out the Google doc

1. Go to the Finding Broken Links on U.S. County Pages Task List and select a state that you signed up for.

2. Fill out the following fields regarding this collection:

a. The first two columns on the spreadsheet are for your name and your wiki username. You only need to put your name once.

b. Use the drop down list to give a suggested heading for where the collection will be listed. If the collection is for marriages, choose the option, "marriage(only)." If the collection including births, marriages, and deaths, choose the option, Births, Marriages, and Deaths." If you do not find a heading that fits the collection, use, "other."

c. Copy the url and paste it onto the google doc.

d. List the exact title of the database or collection found on the website.

e. List the dates covered in the collection.

f. Use the drop down list to list if it is either a index only, image only, or index and image database.

g. Use the drop down list if the collection is complete or not. A complete collection covers the whole locality. If you cannot tell if collection is complete or not, assume it is and use, "complete."

h. If it is a FamilySearch collection, fill in the collection number found in the URL. It is the group of numbers listed after “collection/” Example: collection number is highlighted: https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1661470

i. The final column is Notes. If there is anything special you feel that you need to add, enter it here.

You do not need to save the Google Spreadsheet because it is automatically saved.