Use Appropriate Forms: Difference between revisions

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Begin by carefully recording and organizing your information so important facts and clues will not be lost. To help record the information you already know about family members, you may want to use standard genealogical forms such as family group records, and pedigree charts. These forms are familiar to other researchers and assure that your findings will be understandable to others. The forms, used by most researchers, can be purchased at genealogical stores, the FamilySearch Library, FamilySearch Centers, and most genealogical libraries.<ref>[[Start Family History by Writing What is Known]]</ref>  

You could also use computer programs to generate these forms. After you type genealogical information once, these programs can generate many kinds of forms such as completed family group records and pedigrees. For example, the [[Ancestral File|Personal Ancestral File]] computer program makes it easier to cite the sources which document events, and allow you to even add customized events to a family group record. Computer programs allow you to make frequent updates and share information with others while limiting the mistakes caused by redundant typing or writing of information. For further details see [[Organize the New Records#Using_a_Computer_for_Genealogy|Using a Computer for Genealogy]]. The 2009 edition of the book "Secrets of Tracing Your Ancestors" by W. Daniel Quillen recommends creating forms that work for your unique research goals. Templates can be easily created by anyone familiar with common everyday programs such as MS Office applications. When designing such a template be sure to keep it simple and universally applicable to all researchers' needs with emphasis on including blocks for key source information so that research can be duplicated by others who may later rely on it to prove a familial relationship.  

The Personal Ancestral File program is no longer available for download at the FamilySearch^TM Internet Genealogy Service home page at [http://www.FamilySearch.org FamilySearch.org]. There are several other commercial computer programs you can purchase which also help you keep and organize genealogical information. Most commercial software has a 'lite' version available for free. For more information about various programs see [[Select Computer Software#Choosing software|Choosing software]].

[[Image:Family Group Record side 2.png|thumb]] Family Group Records (also called family group sheets) are forms with space to record information about the parents and children in one family. Good family group records show names, dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths (see the example to the right). You can enhance their value by citing the sources that document these events in the lives of family members. If you use computers to generate family group records, you also can easily display additional events such as censuses, change of residence, land purchases or sales, wills proved, and any other events in the family members' lives. The most useful family group records display as many events and sources as possible. Recently there has been a trend of amateur researchers creating photographic family group record templates which requires that source and possibly other information be transferred to the reverse of each group record to make room for small portraits of each family member. Family portraits are being incorporated into many form templates to help researchers increase the preservation efforts of priceless family images right along side the key vital statistics of their ancestors and other relatives. You can print or download a family group record by clicking [[Media:Family_Group_Record.pdf|'''here''']]. <br><br>  

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[[Image:Pedigree Chart Blank.png|thumb|right]] Pedigree charts , sometimes called “Ancestor” or “Lineage” Charts, typically have space for four or five generations (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.) There is space for full names, dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. See the example at the right. Ancestral lines can continue onto other charts. Some pedigree charts display fewer generations for simplicity and, in doing so, allow plenty of room to include whatever researchers may value most; ancestor portraits, ancestors' siblings in birth order, source information, or customized compiler comments to aid the other researchers in verification or overcoming their next brick wall relative. You may print or download a blank pedigree chart by clicking [[Media:Pedigree Chart Blank.png|'''here''']].

[[Image:Log17.png|thumb|right]]

A research log (or calendar of searches) is a list of the source you searched, or plan to search for each objective, ancestor or family. It includes notes about what you found (and didn’t find). Most logs are kept in the order that records are selected or searches are made <ref> [[:File:Research_Log.pdf|Wiki Research Log]]. </ref>  

You may purchase a basic log at the FamilySearch Library, at FamilySearch Centers, or at genealogical stores, '''or you may purchase a research log program for your computer,''' or you may create your own. One research log may start with three areas for vital records for birth, death, and marriage and then have several areas for other common life research subjects such as education, employment, military service, photos, etc. For more details about research logs see the wiki article <ref> [[Research Logs]] </ref> and <ref> [[Prepare a Research Log]] </ref> in Step 2 of this article.

As you record information, be consistent in the way you write it. Someday, other researchers may use your information or notes as they continue research on your family. The following suggestions are practiced by most genealogists, and are easily understood by all researchers.  

*'''''Sources'''''. Be sure to fully identify the source of your information. If a person, give their full name. For a book or other document give the complete title and other information. For suggestions see <ref> [[Transfer the Information#Cite_Your_Sources]] </ref>.

*[[Genealogy Research Forms]]

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  [[Category:Charts_and_Forms]]