The IGI (International Genealogical Index) can be found on-line at the Morman (Latter Day Saints) Family Search.org website. A while back there was a short discussion about whether something found in the IGI index could be in error. I have noticed that some of our FRENCH researchers regard an IGI entry as a primary source, apparently believing anything found in the IGI index can be regarded as an acceptable "source" requiring no additional research before adding it to their family tree. Although the IGI is a very useful tool for the genealogist, it is an index only and should not be considered a source which "proves" an entry on one's family tree. The IGI includes Private Patron submissions (Individual's family tree information) and extracts from the films of Parish Registers and Bishop's Transcripts. Quoting from TAMESIDE LOCAL AND FAMILY HISTORY "Those entries from private patron submissions are to be viewed with extreme caution. The rules governing proof of ancestry for church members are not as rigorous as those required by family historians, and were indeed interpreted with a considerable degree of licence, especially in the early days. Be especially careful with entries that say 'Relative' or 'About'. In the past church members went about collecting as many entries of the same surname in an area as possible, without proving any relationship between them. Also having found a marriage of their ancestors in a certain place they could assume that he/she had been baptised in the same area about 25 years previously, again without any real proof at all."

Re:IGI -Best lead source I have found. Not proof by a long shot! Dick ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 2:26 PM Subject: [FRENCH-L] The LDS IGI --is an index > The IGI (International Genealogical Index) can be found on-line at the > Morman (Latter Day Saints) Family Search.org website. > > A while back there was a short discussion about whether something found in > the IGI index could be in error. I have noticed that some of our FRENCH > researchers regard an IGI entry as a primary source, apparently believing > anything found in the IGI index can be regarded as an acceptable "source" > requiring no additional research before adding it to their family tree. > > Although the IGI is a very useful tool for the genealogist, it is an index > only and should not be considered a source which "proves" an entry on one's > family tree. > > The IGI includes Private Patron submissions (Individual's family tree > information) and extracts from the films of Parish Registers and Bishop's > Transcripts. > > Quoting from TAMESIDE LOCAL AND FAMILY HISTORY > > "Those entries from private patron submissions are to be viewed with extreme > caution. The rules governing proof of ancestry for church members are not as > rigorous as those required by family historians, and were indeed interpreted > with a considerable degree of licence, especially in the early days. Be > especially careful with entries that say 'Relative' or 'About'. In the past > church members went about collecting as many entries of the same surname in > an area as possible, without proving any relationship between them. Also > having found a marriage of their ancestors in a certain place they could > assume that he/she had been baptised in the same area about 25 years > previously, again without any real proof at all." > >