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Archiver > ABERDEEN > 2001-10 > 1003460351


From: "Judith" <>
Subject: Re: [ABERDEEN] question about LDS
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 19:59:11 -0700
References: <000c01c1581a$6dce11a0$2d8b6420@home>


There are several types of LDS information. Within Ancestral File, you will
find information based on submissions of genealogies to the Church by its
members. While many of these submissions have been thoroughly researched,
some contain approximations and guesses. The IGI (Int. Genealogical Index)
uses some of those records but also relies on records that volunteers
transcribed in many countries over many years. You can tell which
information is from records when you look at the person's information-- take
a look at the bottom of the entry. If you see a batch number starrting with
C it's a christening record; M is marriage record. A string of numbers
indicates a submission by a researcher. That is why you will see duplicate
entries fro some people, and some entries that indicate "about" or "from"--
the researchers are guessing.

The LDS website (and Scots Origins) contains the Scots parish records prior
to 1855 when civil registration began. Scots Origins has that and the civil
registration records for 1855 on. You will never receive a certificate for
entries prior to 1855 because there were no official birth records, just
entries from parish registers. You can order microfilm from the LDS with
the parish records you are looking for. If you go through the films of the
original records, you can sometimes find additional information. For a
wedding, you will find the occupation of the groom and the bride's father,
which helps you make sure it is "your" couple. Witnesses are also
mentioned. Birth records occasionally list the father's occupation.

In addition to births and marriages, the filmed records also include burial
records, which were not indexed by the LDS. You can sometimes tell from
them when your ancestor died. Deaths after 1854 are in Scots Origins and
you can order those certs. from them.

I hope this helps you wend your way through these excellent resources.

Judith in Ohio, USA

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