Can You Spare 10 Minutes? #TheWorldsRecords

Are you ever overwhelmed by the thought of getting involved in volunteer work? Are you nervous that saying "yes" is the equivalent of putting a big bullseye on your back, and that you will have to learn to say "no" to preserve your sanity? Fear not! I know of a great chance to be helpful. You can serve at your convenience, and you can spend as much or as little time as you want. What is this fantastic opportunity?

It's the third annual Worldwide Indexing Event!

Image: A hand holds a computer keyboard, with a handwritten marriage register in the background, and a sign stating "Worldwide Indexing Event 2016"

Here are the official details from FamilySearch:

From July 15-17, FamilySearch International will sponsor their third annual “Worldwide Indexing Event,” bringing 72,000 people from around the globe together online during a 72-hour event to save the world’s records by making them searchable to the public.

During the 72-hour indexing period, volunteers participate by downloading the FamilySearch software and completing as many names as they would like. Anyone with a computer and internet connection can join.

Volunteers have made over one billion historic records searchable online since FamilySearch introduced online indexing in 2008. The demand for indexed records continues to grow as millions of historical records worldwide are added every year.

To join 72,000 teammates in saving the World’s records, visit https://familysearch.org/worldsrecords

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,921 family history centers in 129 countries.

Indexing has allowed many important records--including, just recently, Freedmen's Bureau records--to be made available to genealogists. If you have ever wandered through a cemetery and found yourself reading tombstones and wondering about the individuals, or if you've ever been fascinated with your own family history discoveries, you will love indexing!

Directions are clear. Ample help is available. If a name is indecipherable, you can mark it as such. You needn't fear about making a mistake; each batch is indexed by more than one person, and arbitrators evaluate discrepancies between indexers.

I've indexed in the past, but it's been a while. I'm excited to join in this event; in fact, I'll probably go index a batch or two before it starts.

Won't you join me?