Research Mistakes – Treating an Index Like the Original Record

An index helps you find the record—it is not the record.

Indexes are among the greatest time-saving tools available to genealogists. They allow researchers to locate records that might otherwise take days or weeks to find.

But an index is only a guide.

Most indexes contain only a small portion of the information found in the original document. They can also contain transcription errors, omissions, abbreviations, and interpretations made by the person who created the index.

Whenever possible, researchers should examine the original record before drawing conclusions.

Why This Mistake Happens

Modern genealogy websites make searching fast and convenient.

After locating an indexed entry that appears to match an ancestor, it is tempting to accept the information and move on.

Unfortunately, indexes are created by humans, and humans make mistakes. Handwriting can be difficult to read. Pages may be damaged. Important details are sometimes omitted because they were not included in the indexing project.

The original document often contains information that never appears in the index.

Common Warning Signs

• You save the indexed entry without viewing the original record.
• You assume the transcription is completely accurate.
• You never compare the index with the original image.
• You overlook notes written in the margins.
• You accept abbreviated information as complete.
• You fail to examine neighboring entries.
• You attach indexed records without verifying the details.
• You treat the index as primary evidence.

The Hidden Cost

Treating an index like the original record can cause valuable evidence to be overlooked.

You may:

• Miss family relationships.
• Overlook witnesses or informants.
• Miss occupations, residences, or property descriptions.
• Fail to notice corrections or marginal notes.
• Accept transcription errors as fact.
• Build conclusions using incomplete information.

Sometimes the most important clue appears only in the original document.

A Better Way

Whenever possible, locate and examine the original record image.

Compare the index with the document itself.

Look for:

• Complete names.
• Dates.
• Locations.
• Witnesses.
• Informants.
• Marginal notes.
• Corrections.
• Adjacent records on the same page.
• Information omitted from the index.

If the original record is unavailable, note that your conclusion is based on indexed information and continue looking for the original source.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Have I viewed the original record?
• Does the original contain additional information?
• Could the index contain transcription errors?
• What details may have been omitted?
• Am I relying on a summary instead of the complete document?

Key Takeaway

Indexes are invaluable finding aids, but they are only the first step in the research process. Whenever possible, examine the original record before reaching conclusions. The original document often contains the evidence that transforms a good discovery into a great one.

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