The IGI is an index of the ordinances (baptism, sealing & endowment) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and when used as such is 100% accurate. It is not an index of parish registers even though genealogists use it as such.

Hopefully, this explanation of the information that they hold will help Brit-Gen members to understand how the IGI and the various other records may be of help. Visit FamilySearch.org

International Genealogical Index - information about births, marriages, deaths (limited information), parents and spouses. Information has been contributed by individual researchers or extracted from key original records such as parish registers. The IGI should be used as any other index, as a clue to the possible existence of a parish register entry.

Census Records - the 1880 United States census, the 1881 British census (England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, but not Scotland), and the 1881 Canadian census.

Vital Records Index - a collection of birth and marriage information extracted from civil or church records.

Ancestral File - information from many different contributors which may include some discrepancies and duplication. Always verify the information found by comparing it to information from other sources.

Pedigree Resource File - a database of records submitted by individuals through FamilySearch Internet. Again, always verify the information found by comparing it to information from other sources.

If when you bring up the Event it says “Message: Record submitted by a member of the LDS Church”, then use it as a finding aid but treat it with extreme caution.

Those entries which have been extracted from parish registers, and which are therefore more likely to be correct, have "Batch Numbers".

Source Information: This section may list either the batch or microfilm number where the information came from. Clicking the film number will take you to the Family History Library Catalogue so that you can locate which film you need. Print the film notes or write down the film number, and you may be able to order a copy at your local family history centre.