FamilySearch Wiki:Standardized Wiki Pages

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Revision as of 15:13, 9 July 2021 by Batsondl (talk | contribs)


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 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 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

Country Pages[edit | edit source]

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

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

  • Breadcrumb trail
  • Country sidebar (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)
  • Example: England Genealogy

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

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

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 sidebar infoboxes and should not be changed:

United States County Pages[edit | edit source]

  • 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 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.
  • 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:

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 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)


Family History Centers and FamilySearch Library Pages[edit | edit source]

  • Family History Centers have a template typically used for all centers: Template:FHC page outline
  • FamilySearch Library have a template typically used for all libraries
  • FamilySearch Wiki Content team is responsible for initially creating the Family History Library Wiki page and add the link to the Family History Library and Affiliate Library Locator Map.
  • Centers and library staff are to add relevant content to the Wiki page
  • Both Center and Centre spellings are used on Wiki pages; use the correct spelling for the country
  • Updating a Family History Center page - Specific instructions

Items to be Standardized on Family History 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)

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

Buttons on the Wiki[edit | edit source]

  • Buttons are to be used sparingly on Wiki pages and are only used specific
  • 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
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