• NEW IMAGES: Ancestry’s images, produced several years ago, were replaced with FamilySearch images, created recently from earlier generation microfilm and with the latest imaging technology.  In the images below, a piece of tape that obscured text in the census image on Ancestry (top) is more transparent on the recently added FamilySearch image (bottom):

   

  

  

• NEW INDEX: We took our existing index with user-submitted corrections, and the new, double-keyed and arbitrated FamilySearch index and programmatically merged the two.  A complex algorithm was designed specifically for this operation.  The following are a couple quotes from one of our developers:
  • “If a TGN (Ancestry) record was not linked [to a FamilySearch record], we also did a check to see if we could identify the FS (FamilySearch) image.  If we got a match on state, county, township, ED, page number . . . then we would use the higher quality FS image in place of the TGN image. In summary, where possible a FS image was used in place of the TGN image.”
  • “Also, FS provided more fielded data (several fields) in addition to what we had . . .  Merging the two gives a more complete keyed set. Example: Where we estimated the birth year, they keyed it. Where they estimated the age, we had that keyed.”

• REMAINING FIXES: We do know of some issues with the browse, as well as some other items, that need to be fixed and we’re already working on those.  If you find bugs or errors, please forward them on to me.

Again, for a limited time, the index is free.  Search and view the data to your heart’s content.  I hope you’ll take advantage of the first of the new and improved U.S. Federal Census databases on Ancestry.com.

1) As part of our partnership with FamilySearch to improve the U.S. Federal Census collection on both sites, we’ll be performing maintenance to fix many known issues with the current collection, like misspelled place names, missing counties, and missing or blurry images, among other things.  As a consumer of this historical data, I’m anxious to see the improved versions of these invaluable databases published.

2) All images for the Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 database had to be taken down temporarily for some unforeseen maintenance, but will be back up soon.  An alert has been posted on the database home page, “Images for this database have been temporarily disabled.”

3) The recent release of naturalizations as one database has been split into two databases,  U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1795-1972 and U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes, 1794-1995.

4) A microfilm roll-based browse was added to the New Jersey State Census, 1895 database to allow users to browse each roll of film from start to end, beginning at the first frame of the physical roll and ending at the last frame.  All images, regardless of whether any names or data were keyed, are accessible via the Browse Images Sequentially link in the browse table on the database home page.  I’m interested to know whether or not you think such a roll browse would be helpful in other databases.

5) The image viewer search box for the U.S. School Yearbooks database isn’t working quite the way we want it to.  We are planning to adjust it to search only within the book currently being viewed.  If you like the functionality as it is now, please let me know so I can consider your input before the change is made.

Finally, I want to assure you that I’m aware of maintenance needs with other U.S. content collections not mentioned here.  Please feel free to contact me to discuss maintenance needs with U.S. content on Ancestry.com.

Some of you might have heard of a recent agreement reached between NARA and The Generations Network. This agreement now allows us to operate digitization equipment onsite at The National Archives, thus making it possible to bring to you records that have never been available outside the NARA facility where they are stored.

After months of intense (and intensely fun) research, we’ve selected several collections and have begun digitizing them. Two of the early projects are 1) Death Reports of American Citizens Abroad, 1835-1974 and 2) Passenger and Crew Arrival and Departure Lists, 1897-1958.

So, instead of you having to travel to Washington, D.C. to browse through these records, we’re bringing them to you. Stay tuned.

With about 25,000 unique databases, roughly 150 million images and more than 5 billion names, I’m sure you can imagine the many “opportunities” we have to make mistakes! I’d like to investigate one of these here in this post that some of you more advanced users have probably noticed in the course of your research.

Specifically, I’d like to know where you have noticed images missing in comparison to what is found on the source microfilm. I’m referring to those situations where the images are just plain not there, you can’t get to them via search and can’t drill down to them in the browse (I’m not referring to situations where the image is blurry, black, incorrect or just doesn’t load - that’s for another discussion).

Would you find it helpful if, in addition to the browse already provided on Ancestry.com, you could browse through the images sequentially, just as if you were scrolling through the original reel of microfilm?

I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope you find this type of discussion useful!