Juliana Smith Indexes are among the most often used tools for family historians, and while they are a great aid in the location of records, they are secondary sources of information and should be evaluated carefully when used. Below are some points to keep in mind when you are referencing an index. If you don't find an ancestor in an index, it does not mean that a record for that person does not exist.
Omissions are some of the most common errors found in indexes.
Though this may seem intimidating at first, there may be ways to make this search a bit easier. You will first want to assess in what order the records are in on the microfilm or how they are filed. If they are filed by date, you may be able to narrow your search by estimating the date of the record. If you have a location, a directory or other record with an address may aid in the search. When referencing a published index, you will want to read the introduction, foreword, or other bibliographic text to learn what criteria was used to determine what records were included in the index.