Timeline Grids: Difference between revisions

What About More Advanced Uses?  

#Add hyperlinks to census records and vital records; you can also easily link to related timeline grids—for instance, between parents and children.  

#Use your word processor’s Comments feature to record questions, information on discrepancies, negative search results, etc.  

#Change the text color to highlight things you want to stand out. For instance, when one family member is enumerated apart from the rest of the family, you can color that person’s information a different color. Or you could color unproven items red until you’ve proven them.  

#Keep a brief list of “next steps” at the top of the grid for easy reference.  

#If you use a service like Google Drive, you can easily collaborate with other researchers. You can see their edits in real time; you can also chat online or leave comments for each other. Documents are easily searchable. Also, Google keeps a revision history so it’s easy to see who made what changes, and to go back to an earlier version if necessary.<br>  

==How Can the Timeline Grid Help Me in My Research? ==

#Use the timeline grid to see at a glance what research you’ve done so far, and what still needs to be done—something that’s particularly helpful if you are starting research again after time away.  

#When you are working on multiple lines or generations, timeline grids can help you keep your research organized.  

#The grid helps you avoid tunnel vision by allowing you to see connections that might otherwise be overlooked. For instance, a boarder in one census might become a son-in-law in the next, or you might find a nephew that was missing from his family in another grid.  

#When you have two individuals with the same name, age, and birthplace who might easily be confused for each other, you can use the grid to help pinpoint unique identifiers so you can tell them apart.  

#The grid makes it easy to see trends or inconsistencies across census records—for instance, in birthplaces, occupations or addresses—which can help you verify your assumptions, or at least avoid making wrong assumptions.  

==Where Do I Go From Here? ==

#Choose a family to research using the grid.

#Decide whether you want to use Google Drive, Word, Excel, OpenOffice, etc.

#Create a grid or download a template.

#Start finding information for the family, and enter it on the grid!  

==Where Can I Find Templates? ==

Templates are [http://usabledesignmatters.com/fh/timeline_grid_templates/index.html available here].