Salt Lake City Temple Taken from the roof of the Conference Center Aug 2011

General Conference Week-end

March 31st - April 1st

 

1940 US Census Project begins in 5 days

Join the historic national service project to index and preserve the records of the "greatest generation". Are you or your parents to be found in this census record project? These records will become available to indexers on April 2, 2012 and it would be nice to see all of the Oklahoma City Stake Indexers working on this project.

 

Things to remember as you the index 1940 Census

 

• When you index the residence fields, you should correct misspellings and expand abbreviations,  If you can do so accurately.
• If "Same House," Same Place," or "Rural"  was recorded in any of the residence fields, type just what you see in the City or Town of Residence and mark the county ad state residence fields BLANK ( Ctrl B). That means the person lived in the same house or same place since 1935. It does not mean that every one is living in the same house on that page.
• If the household number field was left blank on the census form and the census taker recorded a new street address in column 2, mark the household number as blank; do not copy the household number from the previous household. 
• If a relationship was recorded as "Wife-H" in column 8, do not index the -H; just type Wife in the relationship field.
• If you see roman numerals used for a title or term (such as "V" for 5th), use the lookup list to index the correct roman numeral in this field.
• Do not expand names that have been abbreviated, such as Wm to William.Type what you see.
• If you are unsure whether a name is a given or a surname index it in the given name field.

The Data Entry area is set to 40 records. Some pages have less than 40 records so since all entry lines (40) have to be accounted for you must mark blank lines using Ctrl +Shift+B , or click the "Mark the record Blank" icon at the top of your data entry area. Record the blank lines where they occur, not all at the bottom.

 

To Try your hand at a practice batch download a "Simulation Batch" when you are in the Indexing Program. Only do one batch as they are for practice only and you may notice that they are all the same. 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2012 Stake Indexing Statistics

Stake Indexing Statistics

  106,806 in January !!

Ward Statistics:  Names indexed &  arbitrated

Clinton                             725

Edmond First                 4243 

Edmond Second             3794

OKC Fifth                     14429  

OKC First                     37479

OKC Third                    27796

University                         823

Quail Creek                    8221

Village Ward                  1886

Woodward                       5934

 

What a great start for the new year and our goal of 2 million names for this year. We have already seen an increase in the number of youth who have accepted the challenge of doing 50 names a week. Based upon the fact that we have 377 youth in our Stake if they each  did 50 names a week, or 200 a month, it would be possible for them to do almost1 million names by themselves. Thus increasing our goal to 2 million names. (Earlier estimates were a little higher, my mistake)
I believe that the youth can out-do the current indexers, and I challenge them to do so. Let's all help them learn to love Family History work and indexing. They already have the skills and knowledge with the Technology.

Stake Indexing Awards Dinner

Saturday night, January 28th we held the Awards Dinner at the Stake Center, to honor those who were on the Top Ten Indexing list. We all enjoyed the great family history stories told by our Stake President and a fine meal. I would like to thank the youth who came to help in the kitchen and Sister Eve Hughey who helped with the preparations  and clean-up. A fun evening was enjoyed by all, and we missed those who could not make it that night. When I get a photo of the group with their awards I will post it for you to see.
Those who were also on the Top Twenty List were mailed Certificates of Appreciation for their indexing/arbitration efforts. Thanks goes to everyone who indexed this past year. Each and every name is important and we thank you all for a job well done.

In 2011 as a Stake, we earned the honor of being  the 3rd highest indexing Stake in a 34 Stake area. This area includes North Texas, Southwest Missouri, Eastern Arkansas and Okahoma , as reported by Brother Kirk Hathaway, our area Family History Adviser. Let's be number one  in 2012!!

1940 U S INDEXING PROJECT

Family Search is preparing to roll out the 1940 census records and they are looking for 100,000 additional indexers for this project. They expect that 132 million records will be indexed by the end of 2012, but that depends on how many volunteers work on them.  As I recall we lost some indexers this summer when we finished the 1930 US Census project. Hopefully those people will rejoin the effort to do this new 1940 census project. The release of the 1940 census will be available sometime after April 2. Since these records will be released by the National Archives and Records Administration in the form  of free digital images they will be ready to index. 

Most indexers will love these records because their grandparents or parents names will be on them. There are tens of millions of people still alive today who were living in 1940. You can find out more about the 1940 US Census by going online at FamilySearch.org/1940census  or waiting till April 2nd and start indexing. 

2012 Ice Cream Social Goals

I haven't had time to calculate what the number needed for each Ward/Branch would be to win an Ice Cream Social this year. If you remember we are asking for 125% more than last year. I promise to have those numbers next time I update this page.

2011 Stake Indexing Statistics

courtesy of Laura  L Henry - SLC Temple

805,264 

(corrected for Woodward School Census Project )

Total names indexed and arbitrated in 2011

by the OKC Stake Members

Many many thank- you's are sent to each and every indexer in our STAKE. You all deserve a big round of applause and the choicest blessings for your hard work this past year. We appreciate all.

ICE CREAM SOCIALS

We are continuing to have our ice cream socials for the Wards that won in 2011.

Last Friday evening we held a social at the Surrey Hills Building for the OKC 5th Ward. Sister Mcintosh  did a wonderful job preparing the Cultural Hall for the event. Approximately 85 people showed up and the honored guest was Sister Scabby who did an amazing job inspiring people in her Ward to begin indexing.  We appreciate all of those in the 5th Ward who are indexing. In fact the number one indexer in the Stake comes from that Ward.

I was sorry that I forgot to take my camera. Everyone enjoyed the ice cream and fellowship. President Baclawski was able to attend and made it extra special for all.

This coming Friday night, 13th Jan,  we are going to have the ice cream social for the Quail Creek Ward  at the Stake Center at 7 pm. April Garwood is helping with the set up and did a fantastic job coordinating the efforts in her Ward in September so that the Ward accomplished their goal of doing over 31,198 names. Great Job and team effort!

Edmond 2nd Ward's Ice Cream social is still pending, just  waiting on a good date for all.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL GOAL FOR 2012  

 It has been decided that each Ward or Branch will have to do 125% more names this year, than their highest month in 2011. So if you did 10,000 names to win in 2011 you will have to do 12500 names in 2012.  The goal for each Ward/Branch will be posted later on this blog. This reflects the new goal for the Stake. 

NEW STAKE GOAL FOR 2012

1,000,000 

names indexed and/or arbitrated 
I know we can do it!!

TOP TEN AWARDS DINNER

Will be held at the Stake Center on

Saturday, 28th January, 6:00 pm

Invitations will be in the mail this week, also watch your email.

OKC INDEXING TOP TWENTY LIST

          NAME                                      WARD/BRANCH              TOTAL

1. MARY BUTTS                           OKC 5TH                         94,603
2. TAMARA WINDHOLZ             WOODWARD                 77025
3.  GARY HOWEL                         EDMOND 2ND               69936
4. GENE BUSHMAN                     OKC 3RD                        59286
5. LONIE SEAGRAVES                 OKC 1ST                        49595
6.  JESSIE CRAWFORD                EDMOND 1ST                45864
7. JUDY MCGRAW                       EDMOND 1ST                36308
8.  EVELYN AQUINO                   OKC 1ST                        36098
9. BOBBY GILLILAND                 CLINTON                       21391
10. COREENA GILLILAND            CLINTON                       20489
11. COLETTE DATIN                      QUAIL CREEK               18165
12. CHARLES HOWELL                  QUAIL CREEK              17670
13. LOIS GILBERT                           OKC 1ST                        15375
14. SHIRLEY CORRIGAN               OKC 3RD                       15251
15. MELISSA CONNELLY              OKC 1ST                       14951 
16. TOM CONNELLY                      OKC 1ST                       12026
17. NORA MUZINGO                      QUAIL CREEK              11898
18. LOREEN SCABBY                      OKC 5TH                      11437 
19. BARRY PETERSON                    OKC 1ST                       11322 
20. LAURA SEBOURN                     VILLAGE                       10281

(all statistics were taken from the end of the 2011 year Ward Individual Statistic report, generated by the Church Indexing Program) Please know that we appreciate every indexer in our Stake, no matter how many names you were able to do. Each name is so important to the Lord's Work in his Holy Temple.
If you have not had a chance to go to http://www.familysearch.org  and put in a name of your ancestor, then please take the time to try it. You will be amazed at all of the records that are now available for the World to search for free. I have a personal success story that I will share with all at a later date, It is truly wonderful and easy.

  

 

November Statistics

The Christmas Season is here. Let us not forget

the reason.

November Stake Indexing Statistics

Below I have listed each Ward in our Stake and the total number of 

names that were indexed and arbitrated for the month.

THIS WAS OUR SECOND BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR !!

Thank you to all who are serving the Lord through the Indexing Program.

November Stake Total  
94,989

   

      Ward                      total number in November

• Clinton                         1317
• Edmond First            4455
• Edmond Second     14180
• Okc Fifth                 33621     super job !!
• Okc First                 13482
• Okc Third                9489
• Okc Fourth               428
• Okc University         260
• Quail Creek            3718
• Village                        819                         
• Woodward            13653  fantastic              

Woodward Special Project

  The Woodward Branch is participating  in a special partner indexing project called the Woodward School Census. They get credit for all of their indexing and arbitration in that project since it is sponsored by Familysearch. So far only two people from the Branch are indexing and only their work was counted. But there are about 8 nonmembers who are also indexing that special project.  Good job and we are proud of you for helping your community with this project and teaching your friends to index. 

 

Top Ten List 

I have not yet calculated the list for November. Plans are to put that list on this blog this week. We still have the rest of December to calculate and you may still make the list. Don't forget that our Awards Dinner is set of January 28th with President Graves at the Stake Center.  

 

Problems with Location names in UK 1871 Census? 

 

Check out the link on the top right side of this page for a connection to the Familysearch Wiki. 

 

Thanks For Giving to the Indexing Program

 Give Thanks

   

November has arrived and it is almost Thanksgiving day. I am so thankful for my opportunity to serve the Lord through the Indexing Program and Temple Service for those who are unable to do their own work.

A BIG THANKS TO THOSE 

Who are currently indexing in our Stake. A Special Thanks to those who

were able to attend the Arbitrators and Ward Indexing Specialist meeting

this past Saturday.

I appreciate your support and enthusiastic input for the work.

676,734

names indexed and arbitrated as of 19 Nov 2011

Great Work Everyone! Thank you

October Ward Statistics

  Ward                                              total names indexed & arbitrated

Clinton Ward                                                                             845

Edmond First Ward                                                                  4013

Edmond Second Ward                                                           13,816

Oklahoma City Fifth Ward                                                      12,325 

Oklahoma City First Ward                                                      17,089

Oklahoma City Third Ward                                                       6,239 

Oklahoma City University Ward                                                   154

Quail Creek Ward                                                                     3,508

Village Ward                                                                             1,193

Woodward Branch                                                                    8,552

 Congratulations to the Following Wards Who Won 

An Ice Cream Social since September :)

Quail Creek Ward and  OKC Fifth Ward

Great Work and we are choosing a date to come

and enjoy some ice cream with you, probably after the New year

(Edmond Second Ward we haven't forgotten your Ice Cream Social, you will be hearing from us soon to schedule a date.)

News you have been waiting to hear!

Top Ten

Awards Dinner with the Presidency

Plans are made for January 28th at the Stake Building for the Top Ten Indexers and their spouse or a friend. You will receive your invitation after the first of the year when the Top Ten Announcement is made.

Who is in the running for the TOP TEN:

As of October 31st, 2011. In order of # of names indexed and arbitrated for the year.

You still have November and December to make it  

Gary Howell               over 53,000

Gene Bushman           over 45,000

Jessie Crawford          over 44,000

Tamara Windholz        over 40,000      

Lonie Seagraves          over 39,000

Mary Butts                  over 34,000

Judy McGraw              over 30,000

Evelyn Aquino             over 27,000

Coreena Gilliland         over 19,900

Bobby Gilliland            over 19,700   

Colette Datin                over 17,300

Lois Gilbert                  over 15,400

Melissa Conley             over 14,900

Shirley Corrigan           over,13,600

Tom Conley                 over 12,000

Nora Muzingo              over 11,700

Barry Peterson             over 11,300

Loreen Scabby             over 11,200

Laura Sebourn              over 10,100

Kathrine Burton           over    9,100  

               

AUGUST INDEXING STATISTICS

Stake Indexing for August

The indexing numbers for August are in and as a Stake we indexed and arbitrated 37,719 names.

Our cummulative total is now up to 490,247 names which would be great for our old goal, but remeber that the goal was raised to 750,000 names by November 1, 2011. That means we have 259,253 names to go by that date, just 1 1/2 months left.

The total per Ward is listed below:

Clinton                     733

Edmond 1st             4831

Edmond 2nd            7178

OKC 5th                  5441

OKC 1st                  3711

OKC 3rd            3509

University Ward          75

Quail Creek             4028

Village Ward             273

Woodward              7447       

 

Dinner with the Stake President

There has been a lot of interest and questions about how many names will it take to become one of the TOP TEN Indexers in the Stake and be able to have dinner with the Stake President later this year. Well I decided to post the names of the top 20 indexers as of 11 September 2011. They are listed in the order of the number of names they have indexed and or arbitrated so far this year. As to not make anyone feel uncomfortable about what they are able to do, I will not list the number  of names that got them on the list. But I will give you a range that they fall in. If you would like to know what your total is so far this year please call me or email me and I will be happy to tell you. Remember that you can still get on the TOP TEN LIST. I will update this list each month and you have till December 31st to acheive this goal.

 

The TOP 20 Indexers are:)) ( in order of their standing on 11 Sep)

 

Jessie Crawford   - Edmond 1st             High Range = 42,000

Gene Bushman     - OKC 3rd

Lonie Seagraves   - OKC 1st

Tamara Windholz  - WoodWard

Gary Howell           - Edmond 2nd

Judy McGraw          - Edmond 1st

Bobby Gilliland       - Clinton

Coreena Gilliland    - Clinton

Evelyn Kelley Aquino - OKC 1st

Mary Butts                  - OKC 5th           Low Range = 17,200

___________________________________________________________

Melissa Connelly        - OKC 1st            High Range   = 14,500

Lois Gilbert                 - OKC 1st

Colette Datin              - Quail Creek

Tom Connelly             - OKC 1st

Shirley Corrigan         - OKC 3rd

Barry Peterson           - OKC 1st

Nora Muzingo             - Quail Creek

Laura Sebourn            - Village 

Kathrine Burton          - OKC1st

Loreen Scabby            - OKC 5th                         Low Range = 7,600

 

Please remember that we appreciate the work that you do even if your name is not on this list. By dedicating your time and talent to indexing on a consistant basis you will see your indexing and arbitration numbers climb. We thank you for all that you do, whenever you can do it. Keep up the good work. I know that those people that are having their records added to the computer database at Family Searhc, must surely be excited to know that someone will be able to find their names and hopefully do the Temple work they require.

 

 

       



Indexing Tips for August

Salt Lake City,Temple Square

taken from roof of Conference Center August 2011

August Indexing Tips

     The 1930 US Census Records were finished in record time with a high degree of accuracy. Now you may be wondering what kind of project you can try that is similar and easy to do. Have you considered the newest Census Record Project?  The 1871 UK Census Records.  They are fun to do and if you would please take the time to read the Project Information and Field Helps you will have no problems getting started.                                                                         

Since I was unfamiliar with the county and town names I found an easy place to go to look them up. Try going to the WIKI @ Family Search.org.  They have a list of place names for England and Wales that you can use and print off. You can get there by going to https://wiki.familysearch.org and looking for UK,England and wales   1871 Census, Additional Helps.  I will put a live link on the right side of this blog page that you will be able to click on and go to that page.    One thing to watch as you index is the abbreviations of place names. Here are some that I have encountered:                                                     Glos =Gloucestershire                                                                         Hants = Hampshire                                            Heref = Herefordshire                                        Herts = Hertfordshire                                        Notts = Nottinghamshire                                      Staffs = Staffordshire                                       Worcs = Worcestershire                                          Wilts = Wiltshire                      
(sorry for the scramble on the listing of county abbreviations on the list above. I can't seem to get it fixed so it displays correctly. Please email me if you can not figure it out)
                                                                     Occupations are challenging but if you read the field helps it will explain how to index them. The Wiki also has a listing of Old English Census Occupations that I found fun to read, and very usefull.

September Ice Cream Social

The ice cream social scheduled for September 16th in the Edmond 1st and Edmond 2nd Wards has been postponed for a while to give President Baclawski time to recuperate. We still plan on having an ice cream social for all Wards that acheive their indexing goals this year. Those of you who haven't there is still time.

September Indexing in the Quail Creek Ward

The Challenge in on and the QC Ward is going to be working to make their goal of indexing over 31198 names during the month. It can be done and I have faith that as they all work together they can do it!

More about that as the month goes on.