I recently posted about the many new innovations going on over at FamilySearch Labs. The latest tool - Record Search Pilot - was released last week. Here you can search and view available records in a variety of ways:

1. Search for records that have been indexed and view the transcribed information
2. Search for records that have been indexed and view the original image as well as the transcribed information
3. Find and view images that have not yet been indexed.

I find this last option the most interesting because it means we (hopefully) won't have to wait for a record series to be indexed and transcribed before we can view the actual records. Most of us are already used to scrolling through microfilm or browsing through digital collections for an image, so having earlier online access to previously unavailable records is definitely a plus.

The unindexed records currently online include the 1930 Mexico Census, Durham Bishop Transcripts, the US 1900 Census (portions are also included in the indexed section), and World War II Draft Cards (and no, don't expect to find the Southern States that Ancestry.com is missing because those were very unfortunately destroyed and no copies were ever made, or anything other than the fourth registration known as the "old man's draft" as they haven't yet been released to the public).

You will need to register before you can try out the new Record Search pilot, and it may take up to a day or two for your account to be activated once you have registered. Registration is entirely free! You play your part by providing thoughtful feedback on the new service.