United States Index Systems

An index is a systematic guide, in list form, with references to the page where each item is located. There are many ways to index. They might be arranged alphabetically, by volume, or by time period. Some indexing systems are so complex that they require guides, keys, or tables to decipher. Some of the more common indexing systems for records in the United States are described below.

Alphabetical Indexes
Some indexes might be strictly alphabetical but many are organized using only the initial letter of the surname.

Burr Record Index
Entries are divided into subgroups under each letter of the alphabet. Surnames that begin with the letter J would appear under the following headings: JAA-JAC, JAE-JAL, JAM-JAP, JAQ-JAY, JE, JI, JOA-JOG, JOH-JOM, JON-JOP, JOR-JOY, JU, JY.

Campbell Index
Names are arranged alphabetically by initial letter of the given name along with the initial letter of the surname. The names Adam Clyde, Alice Crowther, and Andrew Czerny would all appear on the same page in chronological order. A key in front of the index provides the page number for the AC entries.

Cott System Indexes
The Cott Index Company has several indexing systems that are organized in one of these basic ways: • Every surname is given a separate page with given names listed alphabetically. • A key table provides a page number based on the first letter of the surname combined with the first letter of the given name • The alphabet is divided into sections or letter groupings with tab sheets and indexes for each grouping.

Liber Index
These indexes are organized by the initial letter of the surname and further distinguished by the volume (liber). All "C" surnames are grouped together with those for Volume 1 listed first, followed by Volume 2, etc.

For an example from The County Courthouses and Records of Maryland -- Part 2: The Records, see http://aomol.net/000001/000546/pdf/am546--22.pdf.

Paul Company Key Table Index
This index is grouped by the first three letters of the surname, then arranged in chronological order. A key table at the front of each volume provides a page reference to each letter group.

Russell Key Index
This index is not based on the first letter of the surname. Instead, it is based on key letters (L, M, N, R, and T) that follow the initial letter of the surname. For this reason, is sometimes called the LMNRT or L-M-N-R-T index. Surnames Camp, Chapman, Coffman, and Cushman would appear under the key letter “M;” Carr, Coker, Creecy, and Cubberly would appear under the key letter “R.” The given names are then arranged alphabetically within each group of key letters.

Soundex
Soundex is a phonetic index that groups together names that sound alike but are spelled differently, for example, Stewart and Stuart. This helps searchers find names that are spelled differently than originally expected, a relatively common genealogical research problem. (Read more)

Vowel Index
The initial letter is combined with the first vowel of the surname. Surnames Campbell, Chandler, and Craig would be found under the heading “CA.”

Other Indexes
Some indexes don't fit into these categories. For instance, the New Hampshire vital records are indexed using the first and third letter of the surname.

Land Indexes
Person-to-person land transfers are often indexed separately by the surname of the buyer or by the surname of the seller. These records are called by various names. Those indexed by the surname of the buyer might be referred to as "Grantee," "Reverse," or "Indirect" indexes. Those indexed by the surname of the seller might be referred to as "Grantor," "Forward," or "Direct" indexes.

Tips for Using Indexes

 * 1) Introductory pages to a record or a book might explain how the index is arranged and provide a key to abbreviations used.
 * 2) Indexes might appear as a separate record, at the beginning or end of a record, in each volume, or in the initial or final volume only.
 * 3) Don’t assume that the index is complete. Many indexes do not include everyone mentioned. A land index, for instance, might only list the husband, even if the wife is mentioned in the record.
 * 4) Check all possible spelling variations.
 * 5) Check to see if additions or corrections were included in a special section at the end of the index.
 * 6) Don’t stop with the index; examine the original record, if possible.
 * 7) Expect indexing errors to occur.
 * 8) If the person isn’t located in the index, check the record anyway.