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FamilySearch Wiki:Purpose and Appropriate Topics: Difference between revisions
FamilySearch Wiki:Purpose and Appropriate Topics (view source)
Revision as of 15:14, 16 February 2010
, 16 February 2010Moved some bullet items from the forbidden-topics section to the limited-coverage section.
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FamilySearch Wiki is a tool people can use to learn how to find their ancestors. It offers information on how to find, use, and analyze records of genealogical value. The site’s content is variously targeted to beginners, intermediate researchers, and experts.<sup>1</sup> Some suitable types of content for the wiki are: | FamilySearch Wiki is a tool people can use to learn how to find their ancestors. It offers information on how to find, use, and analyze records of genealogical value. The site’s content is variously targeted to beginners, intermediate researchers, and experts.<sup>1</sup> Some suitable types of content for the wiki are: | ||
* | *Instructions on how to find, use, and analyze records that are genealogically useful. | ||
*Historical definitions of legal terms, occupations, and other terms that are useful to genealogists. | *Historical definitions of legal terms, occupations, and other terms that are useful to genealogists. | ||
* | * | ||
== FamilySearch Wiki is not... == | == FamilySearch Wiki is not... == | ||
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*Use of computer hardware in genealogy. | *Use of computer hardware in genealogy. | ||
*Lists of Family History Library materials derived from the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC). The wiki isn't meant to replicate the FHLC. However, when a FHLC entry fails to provide enough information for patrons to be able to use a resource, the wiki, like the in-house Registers at the FHL, can complement the FHLC entry. | *Lists of Family History Library materials derived from the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC). The wiki isn't meant to replicate the FHLC. However, when a FHLC entry fails to provide enough information for patrons to be able to use a resource, the wiki, like the in-house Registers at the FHL, can complement the FHLC entry. | ||
*Information on specific repositories. The wiki is not intended to replicate the catalogs of other repositories. To what extent should the wiki include information on a specific library or archive and its collection? | *Information on specific repositories. The wiki is not intended to replicate the catalogs of other repositories, but it can be helpful to provide a general description of the major collections of a library or archive. To what extent should the wiki include information on a specific library or archive and its collection? | ||
*Information on genealogical groups, such as genealogical societies, companies, or | *Information on genealogical groups, such as genealogical societies, companies, or non profit organizations. Although the wiki is not intended to replicate, for instance, the catalog of a genealogical society's library, it can be helpful to list certain facts about a genealogical society. Which facts are appropriate and which are not? | ||
Writings on | Writings on the topics above can easily become bloated. For instance, while some kinds of geographic information can help genealogists learn where their ancestors may have migrated, others have little or no bearing on genealogy. When writing on any topic, then, the best rule of thumb is to ask “Have I made a good case as to how this information helps someone find, use, or analyze genealogical records?” | ||
== Items for Discussion == | == Items for Discussion == | ||
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*Name studies, lists of common names for an area, or guidance as to the geographic distribution of names. | *Name studies, lists of common names for an area, or guidance as to the geographic distribution of names. | ||
*Locality-centric research advice. To what extent should the wiki give advice to patrons based on where/how they access records? Should we give advice on satisfying research objective X in Library Y? How will localized advice be navigated, searched, and identified by title? | *Locality-centric research advice. To what extent should the wiki give advice to patrons based on where/how they access records? Should we give advice on satisfying research objective X in Library Y? How will localized advice be navigated, searched, and identified by title? | ||
*Political information relating to genealogy, such as a bill that will restrict access to a record collection, or a move to purge a library's genealogical collection. | |||
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