18 Steps to Becoming an LDS Indexer — A 2012 Walkthrough

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*2018 Edit: This info is OLD—like 2012—OLD! The steps have changed radically since then. If you're at Roots Tech and stumbled on this searching for a current walkthrough, I recommend searching, "LDS Family Search indexing." If you want to get an idea for what it was like in 2012, read on…

To get started with indexing, first download the indexing program, register, and sign in.

This info was taken from the FamilySearch Indexing User Guide.  All users must now register and use a FamilySearch or LDS Account. With this new account, you use the same user name and password to sign in to several FamilySearch websites. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the LDS Account provides access to not only FamilySearch Web sites but also other Church websites.

1.  On the FamilySearch indexing website http://indexing.familysearch.org, click Get Started.
   
   
2.  Click Download Now. If you have questions about the download, click one of the getting started questions before you download the program.
   Note: The website automatically determines what operating system you have and downloads the appropriate version of the program for your operating system.
   
   
   
3.  The steps for downloading the program vary slightly, depening upon your browser.

   Browser	Steps
   Internet Explorer	On the “Do you want to run or save this file” message, click Run. A download progress bar appears. On the security warning message, click Run. A download progress bar appears.
   Mozilla Firefox	On the save file message, click Save File. A download progress bar appears. On the Download window, click Open. On the “open executable file” message, click OK. An install progress bar appears.
   Google Chrome	At the bottom of the screen, on the “are you sure” message, click Save. At the bottom of the screen, click the indexing program listed. On the security warning message, click Run. A download progress bar appears.
   Macintosh Safari	On the Indexing window, double-click the FamilySearch Indexing Installer icon. On the “are you sure” message, click Open.

4.  On the Welcome to FamilySearch Indexing Setup Wizard, click Next.
   
   
   
   
   Note: An install progress bar appears as the program is installed on your computer.
5.  On the Completing the FamilySearch Indexing Setup Wizard, click Finish.
   
   
   Note: The indexing program places a FamilySearch indexing icon on your computer's desktop. To sign in to indexing in the future, double-click this icon.
6.  You may already have a FamilySearch or LDS Account if you have registered for another program that uses these newer accounts, such as new.familysearch.org, the FamilySearch research wiki, and the LDS Stake and Ward website. Users who already have a FamilySearch or LDS Account will not need to register again. If you have not yet registered for this new account, on the sign-in window, click Register for a New Account.
   
   
   
   
   • The general public can register for a FamilySearch Account. For instructions on how to register, see Registering for a FamilySearch Account.
   • Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must register for an LDS Account. For instructions on how to register, see Registering for an LDS Account.
7.  After you have registered, sign in by entering your user name and password, and click OK. Each time you sign in, the system checks and downloads any updates to the FamilySearch indexing program.
8.  The first time you sign in, a liscense agreement appears. Read the license agreement, and click the box next to I agree, and then click OK.
9.  On the Profile Information screen, add in the requested information.

   Option	Steps
   For an LDS Account:	In the Stake field, type the city, state, or country where you live, or the name of the stake if you know it, and select it from the list. Most stakes include the city or other geographical area as part of the stake name. If you cannot find your stake listed, contact FamilySearch Support at support@familysearch.org. In the Ward field, type the ward. In the Phone field, type your phone number. Click Done.
   For a FamilySearch Account:	Select one of the following groups: (for more information about a group, see Indexing Groups.) If you click Your country, select the country from the drop-down list. For the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, select the state or province. Otherwise, type the state, province, or district. If you click An LDS stake in your local area, type the city, state, or country where you live, or the name of the stake if you know it, and select it from the list. Most stakes include the city or other geographical area as part of the stake name. Then enter your phone number. If you do not know the stake name, click How? If you click Another group, select the group from the drop-down list. Then enter your phone number. If desired, you can select I do not want to select a group at this time. You can select or change your group when you edit your profile information. Click OK.

10.  If an important message appears, read the message, and then click Close.
11.  You can view a quick start demonstration on how to index. Click Play Video. When you are finished with the video, click the red X to return to the FamilySearch indexing program. The FamilySearch indexing program's start page appears.
12.  On the Tip of the Day message, read the tip, and then click Close.
13.  Click Download Batch.
    
    
    

    
    For the first time, one starter project is listed. If no projects are listed, there is not a starter project available in your language. Click Show all projects.
14.  Click the name of the project to highlight it, and then click OK. A batch with only one image is downloaded.
15.  Read the message about project instructions, and then click Close.
16.  To read the project instructions, click the Project Instructions tab on the right side of the data entry area.
17.  Type the information requested from the image. If you have questions about what to type, click the Field Help tab, and read the instructions for what to type in the field.
    
    
    

    
18.  After the batch is finished, a message appears to let you know that the quality check will begin checking for entries that are not consistent with the Lookup lists. Click OK.
19.  After the quality check is done, a message indicates that you are ready to submit the batch. Click Yes. The next time you download a batch, beginning level projects will be listed.

As a new indexer, you will receive an e-mail listing training, help, and support available for indexing.