Results of the World Wide Indexing Event

http://fh.familysearch.org/system/files/team/ait/images/blog/WWIE-infographic.jpg

The recent World Wide Indexing Event generated a significant response. Because I travel around from time to time, I do get to see different wards and stakes in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in different geographic areas. In this case, I had the opportunity to view different areas hear announcements about the Event and the wards' and stakes' participation in the Event or lack thereof. Some stakes and wards were fully participating while others seemed to be oblivious. Some wards and stake simply ignore any and all announcements coming from or about FamilySearch. 

The number of records indexed in 2016 was 10,447,887 as compared to the decrease in the number shown above for 2017. There was also a major decrease in the number of people participating. Overall numbers of people participating in Indexing are also down worldwide. 

I am sure that there is not just one reason for this decrease but the implementation of online Indexing is probably a contributing factor. To support the switch from a downloadable, local program to an online program is going to require a major education effort directed at the majority of those who are presently doing indexing. At least from my viewpoint on a local level, that education and awareness effort is almost entirely missing. Without a major increase in the ecclesiastical support for family history on the local level, these numbers will continue to decline.