CAPTURING EVIDENCE (cont.)

Now that you have seen notes can be entered as either free-flowing text which you entered in your own format or how the citation portion might be entered in a template, use the form below to prepare a "Source Note" for data entry into your program later. The PAF (Personal Ancestral File) program, Legacy, Reunion, Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic and The Master Genealogist all provide areas for entering sources.

Do you remember the problem with the sources area, however? Each program was written by different programmers. Often you will lose information when you transfer items from your source fields into other programs. While you may not ever own another program, most genealogists spend alot of time sharing files electronically with family. You want a program that will allow you to share the files with the evidence most clearly provided.

Cite the same source you did in the previous exercise using the template provided below for a source citation. Click on the icon below and print this form to use as an example. Your instructor wants you to be aware of different options, but also to be aware of their pitfalls.

Look at the three style guides available online as shown on page 4-20 or on the errata page of new information that is constantly updated for The Complete Beginner's Guide....  There are similar guides available for genealogists such as Evidence, a book written by Elizabeth Shown Mills. However, this book has not been popular among professional researchers who do work for hire because of the time required for the complete detail used in this format. The information is excellent, however, if you plan to do professional writing and publishing. In this semester we are preparing you for work for hire.

In the next chapter you can print out some practice source notes from your genealogy computer program. Once you've reviewed them, or looked back at your previous assignments in this lesson, you will be asked to list your impressions of why notes should be entered the way they have been explained.

One reason professionals like to use free-flowing text is that they are not sure which footnote or endnote format they will be using in their client's final product. It is also very difficult to print source notes in chronological order (except in Legacy's newest version, with some instruction). Therefore, for this course, you too should use the free form, chronological order format described. These notes are data entered directly into your general notes area.

The next few pages will cover Computer Checklist #4, Supplemental Computer Program Aids on using the Personal Ancestral File program. Since it is covering the topic of GEDCOM files (files used to transfer data from one genealogy computer program to another genealogy computer program), it will be of interest to each of you. This is the usual format for sending small pieces of your genealogy to another person.