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= A Family History Research Compass = | = A Family History Research Compass = | ||
Family history research does not need to be an uncertain trek through forests of library shelves. Guidance is available, and that guidance can be prioritized and digitally available right on your own computer. Imagine a “research consultant” right at your elbow, coaching you to take the next step, and then the next. How much easier that would be! Basically, this would be a research "compass" directing you to the ''records of highest priority'', and then making it possible to ''log your findings ''at the same time. This is called a “[[Strategic research logs--england|Strategic Research Log]],” which is discussed in a companion article. But a compass is not sufficient if it only gets you to the destination—it must also get you back home, and then guide you on several return trips. That is where '''computerized linking '''is essential. [[ | Family history research does not need to be an uncertain trek through forests of library shelves. Guidance is available, and that guidance can be prioritized and digitally available right on your own computer. Imagine a “research consultant” right at your elbow, coaching you to take the next step, and then the next. How much easier that would be! Basically, this would be a research "compass" directing you to the ''records of highest priority'', and then making it possible to ''log your findings ''at the same time. This is called a “[[Strategic research logs--england|Strategic Research Log]],” which is discussed in a companion article. But a compass is not sufficient if it only gets you to the destination—it must also get you back home, and then guide you on several return trips. That is where '''computerized linking '''is essential. [[Hyperlinks to Source Documents|Hyperlinks]] that provide quick links to digitized source documents can help with accuracy as we compare documents and analyze them. | ||
<br>As researchers wade through mountains of paper, or large numbers of computer files, an '''organizing system '''becomes urgently important. All of this can be on the computer in one integrated system and be easily accessed. Using computers to implement "document linking" technology wisely is like following a compass over a mountain trail full of twists and turns, eventually arriving safely at our destination and then returning. This makes it possible for us to do family history research in a paperless manner, creating links between electronic copies of text and image sources, a research log, an analysis table, and our choice of records management software. | <br>As researchers wade through mountains of paper, or large numbers of computer files, an '''organizing system '''becomes urgently important. All of this can be on the computer in one integrated system and be easily accessed. Using computers to implement "document linking" technology wisely is like following a compass over a mountain trail full of twists and turns, eventually arriving safely at our destination and then returning. This makes it possible for us to do family history research in a paperless manner, creating links between electronic copies of text and image sources, a research log, an analysis table, and our choice of records management software. | ||
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The steps mentioned in this article are not hard. Do not be discouraged if they seem complex or if you are not used to computers. Actually, once you understand the system it is simple and saves a lot of time. Let's begin! | The steps mentioned in this article are not hard. Do not be discouraged if they seem complex or if you are not used to computers. Actually, once you understand the system it is simple and saves a lot of time. All of the documents discussed in this article can be downloaded to your own computer. The instructions on how to do all of this follows. Let's begin! | ||
== <br>A Total Research Compass == | == <br>A Total Research Compass == | ||
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[[Image:Research_Analysis_Table_(law_of_witnesses).png]] | [[Image:Research Analysis Table (law of witnesses).png|Image:Research_Analysis_Table_(law_of_witnesses).png]] | ||
<br>From among sources that that were searched and logged, you would copy only the pertinent data to this form. If, for example, you had found two other possible candidates for your ancestor Jane Beck, you would have listed them also and then given appropriate comments to discuss the issues and possible resolution. As it was, the other sources yielded either unimportant data or none at all. | <br>From among sources that that were searched and logged, you would copy only the pertinent data to this form. If, for example, you had found two other possible candidates for your ancestor Jane Beck, you would have listed them also and then given appropriate comments to discuss the issues and possible resolution. As it was, the other sources yielded either unimportant data or none at all. | ||
<br>This file is now ready to be linked as an OLE file in your records manager.<br><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | <br>This file is now ready to be linked as an OLE file in your records manager.<br><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
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== Report Work Files == | == Report Work Files == | ||
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<br>A major key to productive family history research is to become organized in advance of launching a research project, however small. Digital computers make it possible to do this in a superb way. Careful backups and regular printouts of key documents are also necessary to preserve these vital records. Digital files can be shared more readily, however, particularly by posting them on the Internet. Family members can then benefit from your provident organization efforts. | <br>A major key to productive family history research is to become organized in advance of launching a research project, however small. Digital computers make it possible to do this in a superb way. Careful backups and regular printouts of key documents are also necessary to preserve these vital records. Digital files can be shared more readily, however, particularly by posting them on the Internet. Family members can then benefit from your provident organization efforts. | ||
<br>Anyone interested in developing a menu system such as this is for England research, with prioritized search strategies, could do it for another country or an area of the United States. The prioritized lists of sources for other countries are available at FamilySearch.org under "Research Guidance." Hopefully this will stimulate interest in digital linking and organization, for it has been very beneficial to those who have used it in their research.<br><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | <br>Anyone interested in developing a menu system such as this is for England research, with prioritized search strategies, could do it for another country or an area of the United States. The prioritized lists of sources for other countries are available at FamilySearch.org under "Research Guidance." Hopefully this will stimulate interest in digital linking and organization, for it has been very beneficial to those who have used it in their research.<br><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --><!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
You may download a copy of this article to your own computer for further study by clicking | |||
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[[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:File_Organization]] | [[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:File_Organization]] | ||