Big News from RootsTech day 1!

Genealogy with Amy Johnson Crow

1 Mar 202421:15

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRAmy Johnson Crow, a genealogy enthusiast, excitedly shares a significant update from the Roots Tech conference held on February 29, 2024. FamilySearch, a genealogy organization, unveiled a groundbreaking feature: full-text search capabilities for three major collections - US land records, US probate records, and Mexican notari records. This innovation allows researchers to search every word in these documents, potentially revolutionizing the way genealogists find information, especially for those with limited indexed records. The feature also promises to aid in identifying married daughters, enslaved individuals, and uncovering unexpected records. Although the search results might still be subject to image viewing restrictions, the ability to search extensively within these records is a game-changer for the field. Crow anticipates creating a video to demonstrate the search process and encourages viewers to explore the new feature on FamilySearch.org.

Takeaways

🎉 Amy Johnson Crow is hosting a live stream during RootsTech 2024, discussing the event's announcements and innovations.
📈 FamilySearch has announced significant advancements in their handwriting recognition technology, which was previously used to quickly index the 1950 US Census.
🔍 Three major collections are now available for full-text searching on FamilySearch: US land records, US probate records, and Mexican notarial records.
🌟 The new full-text search capabilities will greatly aid genealogists in finding names and information within these records, even when they were not fully indexed before.
🧐 Researchers will be able to search for any word within a document, which can help uncover information about married daughters or individuals with limited identifying information.
🔗 The technology can also be used to find records related to specific locations or property descriptions, enhancing the ability to reconstruct historical neighborhoods.
📲 Users can access the full-text search feature by logging into FamilySearch.org and navigating to the 'View Experiments' or 'FamilySearch Labs' section.
📝 There is potential for users to make corrections to the text recognized by the algorithm, improving the system's accuracy over time.
⚠️ Some records may still have viewing restrictions, but users can access restricted images through a FamilySearch center or an affiliated library.
📈 The full-text search functionality is expected to greatly enhance genealogical research by making it easier to find and evaluate records that were previously difficult to access.
📅 Amy Johnson Crow plans to create a video demonstrating the search process and will host another live stream on March 7th for a RootsTech recap.

Q & A

What is the event that Amy Johnson Crow is discussing?
-Amy Johnson Crow is discussing the first day of RootsTech, a genealogy conference, which took place on February 29th, 2024.
What significant announcement was made by FamilySearch during the Technology and Innovation forum?
-FamilySearch announced the availability of full-text searching for three major collections: US land records, US probate records, and Mexican notarial records.
How was the 1950 US Census indexed quickly?
-The 1950 US Census was indexed quickly using handwriting recognition software and algorithms, which took advantage of the standardized handwriting and structured format of the records.
What is the significance of full-text searching for genealogy research?
-Full-text searching allows researchers to search every word in a document, making it easier to find information about individuals who may not have been fully indexed, such as married daughters or enslaved people.
How can one access the full-text searchable collections on FamilySearch?
-To access the full-text searchable collections, one needs to log into FamilySearch.org, scroll down to find the section labeled 'view experiments' or 'family search Labs', and follow the prompts to perform a search.
What is the potential impact of this new technology on genealogy research?
-This technology can be a game-changer for genealogy research, as it allows researchers to discover records that were previously inaccessible or difficult to find, and it may reveal unexpected connections or information about ancestors.
What are some limitations when using the full-text searchable collections?
-Some records may have restrictions on image viewing, requiring users to access them through a FamilySearch Center or a FamilySearch affiliate library if they are not able to view them through their current account or location.
How can users contribute to the accuracy of the full-text searchable collections?
-Although not explicitly confirmed in the script, it is suggested that users may soon have the ability to make corrections to the text recognized by the handwriting recognition software, which would improve the system's accuracy.
What is the importance of considering the structure of historical records when using full-text searching?
-The structure of historical records, such as the organized columns and rows in the 1950 US Census, can help the handwriting recognition software more accurately identify and index information, making full-text searching more effective.
What additional benefits does full-text searching provide for genealogy research beyond finding names?
-Full-text searching allows researchers to find information based on other details such as property names, physical descriptions of land boundaries, and locations, which can help reconstruct neighborhoods or find unexpected records.
How did Amy Johnson Crow demonstrate the effectiveness of the new full-text searching feature?
-Amy Johnson Crow demonstrated the effectiveness by performing a quick search during the tech session and discovered a deed from Perry County, Ohio that she had previously missed, showing the potential of the technology to uncover overlooked records.
What advice does Amy Johnson Crow give for researchers who want to take advantage of the new full-text searching feature?
-Amy Johnson Crow advises researchers to subscribe to her YouTube channel for updates and tutorials on using the new feature, and to log into FamilySearch.org to explore the full-text searchable collections themselves.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 Introduction to RootsTech 2024 and Handwriting Recognition Innovation

Amy Johnson Crow welcomes viewers to RootsTech 2024 and an impromptu live stream. She inquires about the audience's participation in the event, either virtually or in person in Salt Lake City. She highlights a significant announcement from FamilySearch about handwriting recognition technology that has been somewhat overshadowed by discussions on AI. The summary explains how this technology was previously used to quickly index the 1950 US Census and how it's now being applied to vast collections of US land records, probate records, and Mexican notari records, enabling full-text searching within these documents.

05:02

🔍 Full-Text Searchable Records: A Game Changer for Genealogists

The paragraph discusses the impact of full-text search capabilities on genealogical research. It emphasizes the potential for finding names within land records, probate records, and Mexican notari records that were previously difficult to index completely. The summary explains how this new feature can help genealogists find married daughters, enslaved individuals, and reconstruct neighborhoods by searching for any word within the documents. It also mentions the possibility of making corrections to improve the system and the excitement around these advancements.

10:03

📱 Live Demonstration and Accessibility of Full-Text Search

Amy shares her personal experience using the new full-text search feature on FamilySearch during a tech session. She describes how she discovered a deed she had previously missed in her research. The summary covers the process of accessing the experimental feature on FamilySearch.org, the potential for users to make corrections to improve search results, and the limitations regarding the viewability of restricted images. It also addresses how to access restricted images through FamilySearch centers or affiliate libraries.

15:04

🚀 Excitement and Future Applications of Full-Text Search

The speaker expresses her enthusiasm about the new full-text search capabilities and their potential applications. She discusses how these features can assist in finding records for married daughters and enslaved individuals and how they can uncover unexpected records. The summary also touches on the idea that while the software aids in finding more records, it does not replace the need for thorough research and evaluation of each document's relevance.

20:06

📅 Wrapping Up and Inviting Viewers to Explore New Features

Amy concludes the live stream by encouraging viewers to take advantage of Leap Day to delve into genealogy and explore the new full-text searchable collections on FamilySearch. She provides instructions on how to access these features and reminds viewers to subscribe to her YouTube channel for updates and future live streams. The summary emphasizes the excitement around the new technology and the ongoing discussions and explorations that will follow.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡RootsTech

RootsTech is a family history and technology conference where genealogists and technology enthusiasts gather to learn about the latest tools and innovations in genealogical research. In the video, the speaker, Amy Johnson Crow, is discussing the announcements made at the 2024 RootsTech event, which is the context for the entire discussion.

💡Handwriting Recognition

Handwriting recognition is a technology that allows computers to identify and interpret handwritten text. In the context of the video, it is used to index historical documents such as census records, making them searchable by name or other text within the document. The speaker mentions the use of handwriting recognition software in indexing the 1950 US Census.

💡FamilySearch

FamilySearch is a genealogy organization and website that preserves records, provides resources for genealogical research, and offers a platform for individuals to explore their ancestry. The video discusses FamilySearch's announcement of new full-text searchable collections, which is a significant development in the field of genealogy.

💡Full-Text Searchable Collections

Full-text searchable collections refer to databases where every word in the documents is indexed and can be searched. This is a significant advancement from traditional indexing methods, which might only include specific fields or names. In the video, the speaker is excited about the new full-text searchable collections of US land records, US probate records, and Mexican notari records on FamilySearch.

💡US Land Records

US Land Records are documents that pertain to the transfer of land ownership. They often contain valuable genealogical information, such as names of the buyer and seller, and can include details about family relationships. In the video, the speaker discusses how full-text search capabilities on FamilySearch will make it easier to find names within these records, even if they were not previously indexed.

💡US Probate Records

US Probate Records are legal documents related to the process of estate administration after someone's death. They can include wills, inventories of assets, and information about heirs. The video highlights that these records, which are now fully searchable on FamilySearch, can provide genealogists with a wealth of information that was previously hard to access.

💡Mexican Notari Records

Mexican Notari Records are documents authenticated by a notary and can include a variety of legal and personal transactions. They are significant for genealogical research, especially for those with Mexican ancestry. The video mentions that these records are now part of the full-text searchable collections on FamilySearch, opening up new avenues for research.

💡Genealogy Research

Genealogy research is the study of one's ancestry and family history. It involves tracking family lines through various records such as census, land, and probate records. The video's theme revolves around the advancements in genealogy research made possible by new technology, specifically the full-text searchable collections on FamilySearch.

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, AI is mentioned as a technology that is changing various fields, including genealogy, although it is noted that it has overshadowed the announcement about handwriting recognition in genealogical research.

💡1950 US Census

The 1950 US Census is a historical record that was quickly indexed using handwriting recognition software. It serves as an example in the video to illustrate how technology can accelerate the process of making historical records accessible for genealogical research. The speaker recalls the impact of the technology when the 1950 Census was released.

💡Restricted Images

Restricted images are those that are not accessible to everyone due to copyright, privacy, or access limitations. In the video, the speaker notes that while the search results for certain records may appear, the images themselves may be restricted and only viewable in certain locations or by certain accounts, such as at a FamilySearch Center or a FamilySearch affiliate library.

Highlights

Amy Johnson Crow welcomes viewers to an impromptu live stream from RootsTech 2024.

There have been significant announcements made at RootsTech, particularly around AI and genealogy.

FamilySearch's innovations and live announcements from the Technology and Innovation forum are discussed.

Handwriting recognition application is highlighted as an under-the-radar but significant announcement.

The use of handwriting recognition software in indexing the 1950 US Census is mentioned.

FamilySearch announces full-text searching for three major collections: US land records, US probate records, and Mexican notorial records.

The importance of full-text searching for genealogical research, especially in finding married daughters and enslaved individuals, is emphasized.

The structured format of the 1950 Census facilitated quick indexing, a factor that aids in the new full-text searchable collections.

The potential for reconstructing neighborhoods and finding specific properties through full-text searching is discussed.

Amy Johnson Crow demonstrates the new full-text search capabilities on FamilySearch.org during the live stream.

Corrections can be made to the text recognized by the algorithm, enhancing the system's accuracy.

The live stream is Amy's first attempt at going live from her phone, adding a personal touch to the presentation.

Instructions are given on how to access the new full-text search features on FamilySearch.org.

The limitations regarding restricted images and how to access them through FamilySearch Centers or affiliate libraries are explained.

Amy expresses excitement about the new technology and its potential for genealogical research.

The announcement of more records being added to the full-text searchable databases is shared.

Amy invites viewers to subscribe to her YouTube channel for updates and a future video on the search process.

A reminder is given about Leap Day, encouraging viewers to take advantage of the extra day for genealogical research.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Genealogy Research FamilySearch RootsTech Handwriting Recognition US Land Records Probate Records Mexican Notori Records AI in Genealogy Salt Lake City Leap Day Live Stream Research Innovation