FamilySearch Wiki:Standardized Wiki Pages: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 263: Line 263:


----
----
== Naming ==
== Naming New Articles ==
 
*Most new Wiki articles in the Main namespace are created by Wiki Administration. Contact them when creating a new article.
=== New Articles ===
*Check to ensure that another article does not already exist for the topic before creating a new article.<br>  
 
'''{{main|FamilySearch Wiki:Naming a Page or Article}}'''
 
Before creating a new article, check to ensure that another article does not already exist for the topic.<br>  


===Guidelines==
*'''Unique titles:''' No two articles may have the same title. <br>  
*'''Unique titles:''' No two articles may have the same title. <br>  
*'''Avoid duplication:''' If an article already exists for the same topic, edit the existing article rather than creating a new article.  
*'''Avoid duplication:''' If an article already exists for the same topic, edit the existing article rather than creating a new article.  
Line 276: Line 273:
*'''Common terms:''' Titles should use common terms that users might search for. A well chosen name for a new article can be very helpful to users and make it easier for search engines to guide users to the most relevant wiki article.  
*'''Common terms:''' Titles should use common terms that users might search for. A well chosen name for a new article can be very helpful to users and make it easier for search engines to guide users to the most relevant wiki article.  


==== Capitalization in article titles ====
*[[FamilySearch Wiki:Naming a Page or Article|More information]]
 
=== Capitalization in Article Titles ===


In article titles, capitalize the first word of the title.  Also, capitalize nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and the first word after a colon. Conjunctions and prepositions should not be capitalized.
In article titles, capitalize the first word of the title.  Also, capitalize nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and the first word after a colon. Conjunctions and prepositions should not be capitalized.
Line 341: Line 340:


<br><br>
<br><br>
==Miscellaneous==
==Miscellaneous==
===Buttons on the Wiki===
===Buttons on the Wiki===

Revision as of 11:45, 29 June 2024


Green check.png This page explains a policy, a widely accepted standard that all contributors should normally follow.
Please visit the talk page to add comments or suggestions for further development of the policy.

We are standardizing specific types of pages on the Wiki to improve the Wiki experience for all users including those new to our website. The following is a list of pages affected and details and standardization regarding the information on that page.

All Wiki Pages[edit | edit source]

Online Databases Found on Wiki Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Use the Manual of Style regarding formatting of databases on the Wiki
  • Following these guidelines will assist users in understand the information listed and bring uniformity to the pages
  • Formatting-Wiki Manual of Style

Protected Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Some types of pages, such as Country pages, Guided Research pages, Getting Started pages, etc. have been protected from public editing.
  • This is to improve consistency of content and to preserve material that is deemed complete or to prevent misrepresentation of complex topics as determined necessary by Wiki Administration.

Locality Pages - Draft[edit | edit source]

Note: These locality page headers are being actively worked on and is in draft form

Master List of Record Type Headers - Draft[edit | edit source]

Country Pages - Level 0[edit | edit source]

Guidelines[edit | edit source]

Template[edit | edit source]

Level 0 Template - draft

Items to be Standardized on Country Pages[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each Country page and should not be changeExample]] - draftdebar (see below)

  • Paragraph at the top of the page, sometimes called SEO paragraph
  • Section Headings, for example, "Getting Started" and "Country Information"
  • Category for: [Country] (example: England)
  • Completed Example: England Genealogy

Items to be Standardized on Country Sidebars[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each Country sidebar and should not be changed:

2nd Jurisdiction - Level 1[edit | edit source]

This locality page is the next jurisdiction from the country level 0 and is labeled Level 1. For example, counties are Level 1 in England.

Template[edit | edit source]

Guidelines[edit | edit source]

3rd/4th Jurisdiction - Level 2/3[edit | edit source]

This locality page is the next 2 jurisdictions down from a Level 1. For example, parishes in England, Level 0, counties (Level 2) is the 2nd jurisdiction. For the country, Chile, regions are Level 1, provinces are Level 2, and communes are Level 3.

Template[edit | edit source]

Guidelines[edit | edit source]



Types of Locality Pages[edit | edit source]

United States State Pages[edit | edit source]

Items to be standardized on United States State Pages[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each US state page and should not be changed:

Items to be Standardized on State Sidebars[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each state sidebars and should not be changed:

United States County Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Specific details regarding content allowed are on the United States County Wiki page - still in progress.
  • County pages include information about databases and records for the whole county (thus, statewide collections can be found there)
  • Links to state topic pages should be included on the county page to save restating information about a topic that applies to the state level and every county
  • Example: Franklin County, Indiana Genealogy

Items to be Standardized on US County Pages[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each US county page and should not be changed:

NOTE: The County Transfer Project currently is restructuring every county in the United States to fit the above parameters.



Locality Topic Pages[edit | edit source]

A typical locality topic page should include:

  • "Online Resources" heading at the top of the article listing all online databases and resources available for that record type for that location in chronological order by year.
  • For some topic pages, the online resources is under the heading, "How to Find the Records." Example: Ghana Civil Registration
  • Website and database links can be repeated in the body of the article as needed.
  • Topic pages for record types should include:
    • What the record is/history of record
    • Information typically on the record
    • How to access the record
    • Coverage and compliance of the record type
    • Other unique information reference to the record type
  • All information on the topic page should be pertinent to locating records for ancestors.
  • Substitute records SHOULD NOT be listed as resources for the topic and will be removed.
  • Example: Ohio Naturalization and Citizenship

Items to be Standardized on Locality Topic Pages[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each Locality Topic page and should not be changed:

  • Breadcrumb trail
  • Locality sidebar
  • Table of Contents
  • "Online Resources" or "Online Databases" header at the top of the page
  • Category for: location (example: England) and record type (example: Civil Registration) or combination of both (example: England Civil Registration)

Exceptions[edit | edit source]

Some topic pages have a unique or adjusted layout from what is listed above:

Topic Page Templates Available - DRAFT[edit | edit source]

When a new topic page is created, the following templates should be used for conformity purposes.

Underserved Country Topic Page Templates[edit | edit source]

The Underserved Country Topic page is a project that focuses on populating topic pages for countries that have very little information in the Wiki.
Structure layout and instructions on some topic pages are found here: Underserved Countries project



Historical Records Pages[edit | edit source]

This page is to:

  • Specifically for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections (published or scheduled) at FamiliySearch.org
  • Describes the collection and what records contain
  • Some articles include coverage tables
  • Gives other resources to assist in locating additional information on the collection or topic
  • These pages are created and maintained by FamilySearch staff

Items to be Standardized on Historical Records Collections Pages[edit | edit source]

  • The FamilySearch Wiki Historical Records team creates, maintains, and determines layout of all Historical Records Collections pages.



Record Finder Wiki Pages[edit | edit source]

This page is to:

  • Assist the researcher in determining record types that contain the information they are looking for in that locality.
  • Links to other Wiki pages containing information about how to locate the records, including databases online and repositories
  • Example: Austria Record Finder

Items to be Standardized on Record Finder Wiki Page[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each Record Finder page and should not be changed:




Research Tips and Strategies Pages[edit | edit source]

This page contains:

  • Links to specific research strategies for the locality
  • General tips and other resources for finding ancestors
  • Is not a strategy article, but an article listing to other strategy articles or websites
  • Example: Germany Research Tips and Strategies

Items to be Standardized on Research Tips and Strategies Page[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each Record Finder page and should not be changed:



Guided Research Pages[edit | edit source]

  • A list of prioritized databases for a specific country/locality
  • Focuses on birth, marriage, and death information
  • Links to both free and subscription databases and websites
  • Has What Else You can Try pages to assist in problem solving when you do not locate your ancestor in the databases provided
  • Created for researchers who were beginning research in a new locality to find the very best resources
  • Are protected pages and can only be edited by FamilySearch staff
  • For more information:
  • Example: England Guided Research

Items to be Standardized on Guided Research Pages[edit | edit source]

  • The FamilySearch Wiki Content team creates, maintains, and determines layout of all Guided Research pages.



Online Genealogy Records (OGR) Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Found: Online Genealogy Records by Location
  • Online Genealogy Records blue buttons link to corresponding page and are on country/locality pages throughout the Wiki
  • Lists databases that cover the entire region; smaller jurisdiction databases should be listed on the corresponding locality page
  • Lists abbreviated versions of a database link to save space and for easier readability
  • Example: Austria Online Genealogy Records

Items to be Standardized on Online Genealogy Records Pages[edit | edit source]

The following should be on each Record Finder page and should not be changed:

  • Breadcrumb trail
  • Locality sidebar
  • Paragraph at the top of the page, sometimes called SEO paragraph
  • Category for: Category:Online Genealogy Records; location (example: England)

Formatting Databases on Online Genealogy Record Pages[edit | edit source]

Databases listed on the Online Genealogy Record pages should be abbreviated to save space on the Wiki page and for usability purposes.
Examples:


Example of multiple websites with the same collection:



FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]

WILL BE REMOVED ON JULY 1, 2024

Exceptions to Deletion of Center Wiki pages

  • Large FamilySearch Center pages will be deleted once their new Brightspot webpage is available.
  • Small Centers that believe they need a webpage instead of just the map can request to have a Brightspot webpage. It will be provided later in 2024.

Items to be Standardized on FamilySearch Centers and FamilySearch Library Pages[edit | edit source]



FamilySearch Affiliate Library Pages[edit | edit source]

Items to be Standardized on FS Affiliate Library Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Breadcrumb trail back to the state or country
  • Format of address and other contact information
  • Category may include: [locality] Archives and Libraries (example: New York Archives and Libraries); county or other location the library is in (Example: Westchester County, New York)

Libraries and Societies Pages[edit | edit source]

  • These pages are used to give information about either a specific library or society
  • Use Template:Repository for new library pages
  • Use Template:Societies B for new society pages

Items to be Standardized on Libraries and Societies Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Breadcrumb trail back to the state or country it is in
  • Format of address and other contact information
  • Category may include: [locality] Archives and Libraries or Societies (example: New York Archives and Libraries; New York Societies); OR county or other location the library or society is in (Example: Westchester County, New York)

Naming New Articles[edit | edit source]

  • Most new Wiki articles in the Main namespace are created by Wiki Administration. Contact them when creating a new article.
  • Check to ensure that another article does not already exist for the topic before creating a new article.

=Guidelines[edit | edit source]

  • Unique titles: No two articles may have the same title.
  • Avoid duplication: If an article already exists for the same topic, edit the existing article rather than creating a new article.
  • Specific but short titles: Titles should be as short as possible but specific enough that users can identify the topic of the article when it appears in the search results. Avoid clever but unclear titles as they will be difficult to find using the search feature. Remove unnecessary words or punctuation.
  • Common terms: Titles should use common terms that users might search for. A well chosen name for a new article can be very helpful to users and make it easier for search engines to guide users to the most relevant wiki article.

Capitalization in Article Titles[edit | edit source]

In article titles, capitalize the first word of the title. Also, capitalize nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and the first word after a colon. Conjunctions and prepositions should not be capitalized.


Correct
 Incorrect
Finding Newspaper Records
Finding newspaper records
Cemetery Records for St. Joseph County, Michigan
Cemetery records for St. Joseph County, Michigan
Franklin County, Illinois Court House Franklin County, Illinois court house
Canada Ontario Births (FamilySearch Historical Records) Canada Ontario births (FamilySearch historical records)

Other rules apply when citing sources within wiki articles. See FamilySearch Wiki:Source Citation Format.

Place names[edit | edit source]

Please review the information found in the above article as it gives much more details about the process. Below is only an abbreviated version.

Places listed in ascending order: If a city or county is listed in a title, at least the state, province, or country where the place is located should also be listed. The place is listed in ascending order (smallest place to largest). Unlike most genealogy software place name conventions, the word "county" should be included in the title of an article about a particular county.

Exception: The titles of historical records collections in FamilySearch.org list places in descending order.
Correct
 Incorrect
Cook County, Illinois
Illinois, Cook County
Canada Ontario Births (FamilySearch Historical Records) Ontario Canada births (FamilySearch historical records)



Places that have had different names or jurisdictions: If a place has had more than one name or been in more than one jurisdiction (county, state, province, country, and so on), the current name and jurisdiction should be used in the title. If the article gives information about the place only when it had a specific name or jurisdiction, use those in the title. Redirects can be used to make sure users will find the article regardless of the name or jurisdiction they search for.

Non-English place names: Generally, if a country is listed in the title, use the English name (for example, Germany rather than Deutschland). Redirects can be used to make sure users will find the article regardless of which spelling is used.


Places and dates in titles: If the place, country, or time period is important to the content of the article, include them in the title of the article.
For more details: FamilySearch Wiki:Naming a Page or Article

Correct
 Incorrect
Utah Birth Records, 1890 to 1925
1890 to 1925 Birth Records for Utah
Orange County, California Orange, California



Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

Buttons on the Wiki[edit | edit source]

  • Buttons are to be used sparingly on Wiki pages and are only used for specific situations.
  • Assigned button colors:
    • Blue: Online Genealogy Records pages
    • Purple: Ask the Community - can be linked to FamilySearch Community for that location or the FamilySearch Genealogy Research Groups page listing all known Community groups and Facebook groups
  • Unassigned FamilySearch branded button colors:
    • Green
    • Red
    • Brown
    • Orange
    • Gray
  • Wiki Buttons - more information

Navigation Templates[edit | edit source]

  • Navigation templates previously used before the refinement of sidebars are now discontinued. The refined sidebars now automatically link to new standardized articles where navigation templates must be updated manually.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=FamilySearch_Wiki:Standardized_Wiki_Pages&oldid=5778122"