This year, FamilySearch debuted a full-text experiment, which can be found on its Labs page. "For some reason, our mostly English-speaking indexing volunteers don't want to index Spanish language records," said Robert Raymond in a presentation at RootsTech 2024, adding, "Especially paragraph style. And especially ones that look like this," displaying an old manuscript with lots of wear and tear. "Back in 2020, we trained a computer to index these," he explains. Robert is the Deputy to the Chief Genealogical Officer at FamilySearch.
Learn All About FamilySearch's New Full-Text Search
In a video presentation at 11:30 a.m. on October 12, Genealogy Jam conferencegoers will discover the new FamilySearch feature often described as “game-changing.” FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search experiment allows for the searching of every name and word in supported collections, including many United States land and probate records. Many users report finding records they never felt like they could find. In this video presentation, real-life examples will be used to explain how to utilize the full power of Full-Text Search. With handwriting recognition and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, the new tool can convert an image of text into a machine-readable text format, allowing you to search the full text of these records before they are even indexed.
From left: Robert Raymond; Full-Text Search graphic courtesy of FamilySearch; Ancestry.com. Chihuahua, Mexico, Civil Registration Marriages, 1861-1967 [database online]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Mexico. State of Chihuahua Civil Registration. Registro Civil del Estado de Chihuahua, México. Courtesy of the Academia Mexicana de Genealogia y Heraldica.
What is Genealogy Jam 2024?
Genealogy Jamboree 2024 will be held on Saturday, October 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT. Attendees can visit the SCGS Family Research Library in Burbank or view it online.
in Burbank at the SCGS Library and the Burbank Mason Lodge. Two registration packages are available: in-person and virtual. Both packages give you access to the live presentations, all of the recorded presentations, and other events throughout the conference week, such as social hours and the virtual round tables. Consult the Jamboree for additional speakers and information.
Our new SCGS Genealogy Jam conference will occur several times each year to highlight speakers and topics specific to one area of research. Since the Southern California Genealogical Society is located in the Southwestern portion of the United States and most of our previous conference attendees have come from this area, we are starting the new conference series by focusing on our rich geographical area. Our speakers' presentations will cover the Southwestern United States, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, and Baja California to broaden our research area.
SCGS's Genealogy Jam will be presented in a hybrid format. It will cost $30 for SCGS members and $80 for non-members. Yes, you will actually save money on this one-day conference if you become a member for just $40. We want more people who live in Southern California, have roots here, or want to join one of the nation's largest genealogical societies and enjoy its many benefits to become part of the SCGS family. Register now!
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