All indexes are not created equally. There can be differences. It is up to the user of an online database to determine what sort of index they are using. It could be:
- a complete everyname index–most online census indexes are compiled this way.
- it could be just an index to the “main person” on the record–some indexes to probate records are compiled this way, only containing the name of the deceased.
- it could be an index to selected names on the record–death certificate indexes that only index decedent and parents’ names (if given). Doctors, informants, undertakers (if mentioned) not always indexed
- selected pieces of data–sometimes they just extract whatever they want
- etc.
Manually created indexes by record clerks may be different as well.
Find out. Informed users are better users. The Frequently Asked Questions page is a good place to start, but find out. Do not assume.
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