Editing International Genealogical Index

The '''International Genealogical Index''' ('''IGI''') is a [[database]] of [[genealogy|genealogical]] records, compiled from several sources, and maintained by [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. Originally created in 1969, the index was intended to help track the performance of [[Temple (LDS Church)#Temple ordinances|temple ordinances]] for the deceased.  

The IGI contains free genealogical information, submitted from various sources including names and data for [[Ordinance (Mormonism)#Temple ordinances|vicarious ordinances]] by Latter-day Saints (LDS) researchers, records obtained from contributors who are not members of the church, and data extracted from microfilmed birth or marriage records. The index contains millions of records of individuals who lived between 1500 and 1900, primarily in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Latin America]], and [[Europe]]. Ongoing efforts are made to compile genealogical data from other regions and peoples.

The IGI contains many duplicate names, accumulated over time from many sources, and no real effort is made to validate the information. Many IGI records contain information on the submitter and date of submission (but only with the submitter's consent). The IGI is available at [[FamilySearch]], the LDS genealogy website. 

In 1995, after a [[Mormonism and Judaism#Baptism for the dead|major controversy]], a deal was struck between the Jewish and LDS communities to "Remove from the International Genealogical Index in the future the names of all deceased Jews who are so identified if they are known to be improperly included counter to Church policy."<ref>[http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/ldsagree.html Agreement with the LDS Church]</ref> 

In 2008 [[Holy See|The Vatican]] issued a statement directing its dioceses to block access to parish records from Mormons performing [[Genealogy|genealogical research]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802443.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506081529/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802443.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-05-06 |title=Vatican letter directs bishops to keep parish records from Mormons |accessdate=2008-05-05 |last=Muth |first=Chad |authorlink= |date=2008-05-02 |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |quote= }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Family History Library]]
*[[Baptism for the dead#Genealogy and baptism|Genealogy and baptism]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi Search the IGI]
* [https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/International_Genealogical_Index International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch Wiki]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130709180809/http://www.livgenmi.com/fhcigi.htm "What is the IGI?" by Helen Schatvet Ullmann]
* [https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/International_Genealogical_Index_Coverage International Genealogical Index Coverage at FamilySearch Wiki]

[[Category:1969 works]]
[[Category:Genealogy publications]]
[[Category:Scientific databases]]
[[Category:Genealogy and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
[[Category:Properties of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]


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