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= Concepts = | = Concepts = | ||
Some people confuse the terms ''source'' and ''citation''. A source is “the origin that supplies information” and “citations are statements in which we identify our source.” | Some people confuse the terms ''source'' and ''citation''. A source is “the origin that supplies information”<ref>''Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary'', online edition (http://www.m-w.com : accessed 23 November 2009), “[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/source source].”</ref> and “citations are statements in which we identify our source.”<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, ''Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace'', 2nd ed. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009), 42.</ref> | ||
Sources can be classified as either ''original'' or ''derivative''. An original source is one that is not derived from another. Originals include documents written at the time of an event or from memory. Photographs and recordings can be originals. Since genealogists can’t visit archives to access originals, they must rely on copies derived from the originals. | Sources can be classified as either ''original'' or ''derivative''. An original source is one that is not derived from another.<ref>Christine Rose, ''Genealogical Proof Standard: Building a Solid Case,'' 3rd rev. ed. (San José, California: CR Publications, 2009), 4.</ref> Originals include documents written at the time of an event or from memory. Photographs and recordings can be originals. Since genealogists can’t visit archives to access originals, they must rely on copies derived from the originals. | ||
There are two types of derivatives: textual and image. Textual derivatives are hand copied text, so mistakes occur regularly. Originals can be hard to read. Important information can be inadvertently left out. There are several types of textual derivatives. Arranged by typical value, best to worst, (depending on the skill of the creator,) they are: | There are two types of derivatives: textual and image.<ref>Board for Certification of Genealogists, ''The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual'', ed. Helen F. M. Leary (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2000), 9.</ref> Textual derivatives are hand copied text, so mistakes occur regularly. Originals can be hard to read. Important information can be inadvertently left out. There are several types of textual derivatives. Arranged by typical value, best to worst, (depending on the skill of the creator,) they are: | ||
#Transcript - attempt to render precisely and completely all words and punctuation exactly as in original. No corrections are made to punctuation, grammar, or spelling. | #Transcript - attempt to render precisely and completely all words and punctuation exactly as in original. No corrections are made to punctuation, grammar, or spelling. | ||
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Emerging genealogists use whatever sources they find online. Census records and vital records are two of the most important. | Emerging genealogists use whatever sources they find online. Census records and vital records are two of the most important. | ||
Census records are important because they place ancestors at specific places at specific times. They help identify family units. They help locate families moving from place to place. Be careful, however. Information in the census is often wrong because the person who answered the questions often didn’t know all the answers. Names are often spelled phonetically and ages are often approximate. Always verify census information with other sources. | Census records are important because they place ancestors at specific places at specific times.<ref>Christine Rose and Kay Germain Ingalls, ''The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Genealogy'', 2nd ed. (New York: Alpha Books, 2005), 99.</ref> They help identify family units. They help locate families moving from place to place. Be careful, however. Information in the census is often wrong because the person who answered the questions often didn’t know all the answers. Names are often spelled phonetically and ages are often approximate. Always verify census information with other sources. | ||
Vital records contain information about three vital events in a person’s life: birth, marriage, and death. Vital records are important because they contain a wealth of genealogical information. Birth records are useful for finding the names of parents. Marriage records often identify not just the spouse, but also the parents. More than just death information, death records can include birth and parents. The sometimes overlooked “informant” is a clue to the identity of a child or another close relative. In the United States, vital records are typically found at the state and county levels. Other countries may have nationwide vitals. | Vital records contain information about three vital events in a person’s life: birth, marriage, and death. Vital records are important because they contain a wealth of genealogical information. Birth records are useful for finding the names of parents. Marriage records often identify not just the spouse, but also the parents. More than just death information, death records can include birth and parents. The sometimes overlooked “informant” is a clue to the identity of a child or another close relative. In the United States, vital records are typically found at the state and county levels. Other countries may have nationwide vitals. | ||