Recording Notes in Genealogical Computer Software - International Institute

The original content for this article was contributed by The International Institute of Genealogical Studies in June 2012. It is an excerpt from their course Methodology - Part 1: Getting Started, Methodology - Part 2: Organizing and Skillbuilding], Methodology - Part 3: More Strategies], Methodology - Part 4: Effective Searching and Recording, Methodology - Part 5: How To Prove It, and Methodology - Part 6: Professional Preparation and Practice  by Louise St Denis, Brenda Dougall Merriman and Dr. Penelope Christensen. The Institute offers over 200 comprehensive genealogy courses for a fee ($).

Computer Software Program Ancestor Notes

One way to summarize your data is in the individual Notes section, which comes after the basic Family Group Record on a genealogy program, can be used in many ways. You can keep recordings and research notes on events, followed by my linkage proofs and details of photos held.

The chart below is an example of the PAF Notes kept for my ancestor Albert James JUPP. It indicates the sources of information, their exact wording, other items of interest as well as items not found and searches still needed.

PAF Notes—Albert James JUPP—RIN 186

BIRTH: Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. 2 Apr 1851. ‘Albert James s/o James JUPP keeper and Anne née. RICHARDSON. Informant: Father of Hurstpierpoint.’ Photocopy of certificate held. He was the only child in the family of 8 who had 2 christian names. One was his father’s, the other may have been in honour of Queen Victoria’s husband. Prince Albert was instrumental in organizing the Great Exhibition of 1851 which opened on 1st May that year, between Albert James JUPP’s birth and christening. He seems to have alternated between the 2 names throughout his life. CHRISTENING: Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. 4 May 1851. ‘Albert James s/o James and Anne JUPP of Hurst Pierpoint, gamekeeper. Godparents: George Jupp, George Godley, Louisa Pequick (?), Fanny Kane (?).’ Film 919,093 photocopy held. MARRIAGE: 1Q 1878 St. Saviour 1d-110. Albert James JUPP + Emma DARTNELL. St. Saviour, Southwark, Surrey. 7 Mar 1878. ‘Albert James JUPP full age bachelor, labourer of Park Street s/o James JUPP gamekeeper + Emma DARTNELL full age spinster, no occupation, of Park Street d/o Henry DARTNELL laborer, by banns, both signed. Wits: Henry Edward Dartnell [her brother], Alice Drewitt [possibly relative of Registrar Frederick Drewitt?].’ Photocopy of certificate held. NB They had already christened 2 children in Crayford, Kent where they were living as man and wife, so they couldn’t very well ask that vicar to marry them. Their wedding venue was 15 miles away on the direct train line to London. How did they manage to get banns called there? DEATH: 3Q 1927 Dartford 2a-588. Albert J. JUPP age 76. '/37 London Road, Crayford, Kent. 22 Sep 1927. Albert James JUPP, 76, retired engineer’s machinist. Cause of death: 1a bronchitis 1b morbus cardis. No post mortem, certified by F.J. O’Leary MB. Informant: E. Cunningham, daughter of 27 London Road, Crayford, present at the death.’ Certificate held. BURIAL: Not yet seen. Is this register microfilmed? M.I.: St. Paulinus, Crayford, Kent. Their grandson Bern Gardner said that they did have a stone but that he couldn’t find it in 1979. PROBATE: None found 1927-1930 CENSUS: 1851 born 2 days after census taken. 1861 with parents at Danny Lodge, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, age 9, scholar, born Hurstperpoint [sic], Sussex. James JUPP. Film 542,666. Piece RG9/583 folio 38v. Photocopy held. 1871 not yet found, not at home with parents in Hurstpierpoint. 1881 with wife and 3 children at 10 High St., Crayford, Kent, age 29, general labourer, born Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. James JUPP. Film 1,341,204. Piece RG11/862 folio 45v. Photocopy held. 1891 with wife and 7 children at Old Road, High St., Crayford, Kent, age 40, machine printer, employed, born—Sussex. Albert JUPP. Fiche 6095746. Piece RG12/636 folio 105r. Photocopy held. OCCUPATION: 1874 house painter (birth son Henry) 1881 general labourer (census) 1890 machine printer (birth son Arthur) 1891 machine printer (census) 1892 machine printer (birth daughter Edith) 1914 labourer (marriage daughter Edith) 1927 Jul journeyman silk printer (death wife) 1927 Sep retired engineer’s machinist (his death) His daughter Edith said ‘he was a labourer and often out of work.’ OTHER NOTES: [Various miscellaneous notes.] LINKAGE PROOFS: To parents 1 -Birth cert 2 -Christening 3 -1861 census Chr to Marr 1 -1881 census—born HPP 2 -Marriage cert—s/o James 3 -Mentioned in letter from brother George in Australia as living in Crayford. To spouse 1 -Marriage cert 2 -1881 census 3 -Wife’s death cert PHOTOS: Two photos of Albert and Emma JUPP are held, together with an earlier possible one of Emma in a group. Have pictures of Hurstpierpoint and Crayford houses and contemporary maps of these areas.

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