FamilySearch now offers the ability to correct errors that have been made by people who index records.

FamilySearch indexing is a volunteer transcription effort that makes valuable genealogical records freely searchable online. Since FamilySearch indexing began in 2006, this unprecedented crowd sourcing effort has produced more than one billion searchable records.

Indexing errors can be made because of difficult-to-read handwriting, faded ink, document damage, errors in the original documents, uncommon names, language barriers, or unexpected spellings. If you find an error, you can now correct the error. Your correction will appear along with the original index entry—making both searchable online.

How to Edit an Indexed Name on FamilySearch

When searching for an ancestor on the site, users can look through the results for a likely record and click the ancestor’s name. A box will pop up with the indexed information on the left and a clickable image on the right. If the index is editable, the word “Edit” will appear in blue to the right of the name.

To enter the desired correction, click Edit, and follow the prompts. A space is included for other comments or explanations. User corrections will not override the information already on FamilySearch but adds an alternative. Multiple corrections can be added to a record. All will be searchable.

Read more information in these articles:

• “FamilySearch Users Can Now Correct Name Indexing Errors.”
• “Editing Names on Indexed Records—FamilySearch Update“