FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style-Formatting

Formatting

Character Formatting

Font	Regardless of the font you paste into the wiki edit screen, your work will be saved in the system's default font.
Bold	To be used in headings and the beginning of collection links to emphasis information, such as, dates and surnames. Otherwise, bold should be used sparingly.
Italics	Use italics if a word must be emphasized. List book titles in italics. Do not use italics for quoted text.
Underline	Because the use of underline indicates text with a hyperlink, do not use underline as a way to emphasize text. Do not underline book titles.

Collection Links

Although, there is no one absolute way to list a database in the Wiki, the following are some guidelines that can help make the list of databases more user-friendly. Some of the examples below use the RecordSearch template for FamilySearch collections.

• Information on how to use the RecordSearch Template
• Information about formatting databases on free and subscription websites

Databases

Below is a suggested way to format a database collection. This is especially helpful for a list collections on a Wiki page.

*'''DATE RANGE''' [URL DATABASENAME] at [URL WEBSITENAME] — index & images, ($)

Example:

• 1880-1920 Sweden Household Examination Books, 1860-1947 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)
  
  

Example wikitext code:

*'''1880-1920''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10180/sweden-household-examination-books-1860-1947?s=218489221 Sweden Household Examination Books, 1880-1920] at [https://www.myheritage.com MyHeritage] — index & images, ($)

Additional guidelines:

• Subscription websites should have, "($)" at the end of the bullet point
• You can add additional information at the end of the database line such as information regarding how complete the collection is, what it covers, or additional helpful information.
• Additional examples are listed below:
  
  

Additional Examples:

• 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840-2004 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
• 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840-2004 at Ancestry — index, ($)
• 1639-1962 New York, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index, ($)
• 1847–1848 and 1908–1936 New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images; marriage license index on film goes to 1935
  
• 1801–1890 Barber Collection- Newspaper Deaths at Ancestry – Index, ($); information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."

Identical Collection Databases on Multiple Websites

Some databases are shared on more than one genealogical website. Below is an example of the preferred way to list a database available on multiple websites:

Example:

• 1849-1940 Sweden Baptisms at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images; Also at: Ancestry($), MyHeritage($), FindMyPast($)
  
  

Example Wikitext Code:

*'''1849-1940''' {{RecordSearch|1520594|Sweden Baptisms}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] - [[Sweden Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images; ''Also at: [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60361/ Ancestry]($), [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30098/sweden-baptisms-1611-1920 MyHeritage]($), [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/sweden-baptisms-1611-1920 FindMyPast]($)''

Elements should include:

1. Bullet list: Start the database link with a bullet
2. List Dates: If the database has dates listed, bring them to the front of the line for easy review for patrons to see which database might apply to their research goal.
3. Hyphen and bold: Use a hyphen between the dates and bold the dates
4. Exact title: When it is possible, list the exact title of the database in the clickable link to the database
5. List website: To help let the user know what website/company provides the database, put "at" and the name of the website. You can also link the name of the website to a general search page or main page.
6. Index/Images: Add whether the database contains an index, images or both. Place that after an m-dash.
7. Other info: And any additional notes that would be helpful for users to know about this database. That can include a note like, incomplete. Or, information about the localities it covers if it's not stated in the database name.
8. ($): If the database is on a subscription website, indicate it by putting a dollar sign in parenthesis ($) at the very end of the database link. For websites requiring pound sterling, use, (£).
9. (Free collection): If the collection is free, but on a subscriptions website, add, (Free collection). For free websites that are always free, no indication is necessary. (Free collection) should only be used for subscription websites. See below for more information.

Free and Subscription Websites

Free Websites

Websites that are free and do not require a payment to view their information, do not require any indication in the link. It can be assumed by the user that any database listed without a "($)" is free.

Subscription Websites

If you refer to a subscription website or one which has a charge to obtain information, use the "($)" to indicate that there may be a fee for the site. For websites requiring pound sterling, use "(£)."

Free Collections on Subscription Websites

When a collection is free to the public but housed on a subscription website, you can use the phrase, (Free collection) to make this indication. NOTE: Websites that are free do not require any indication in the link. It can be assumed by the user that any database listed without a ($) is free.

Example:

• 1849-1985 Web: Minnesota, Naturalization Index, 1849-1985 at Ancestry (Free collection)
  
  

Example wikitext code:

*'''1849-1985''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70800/ Web: Minnesota, Naturalization Index, 1849-1985] at [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry] (Free collection)

Free Indexes and Images for Pay

When a website offers free access to their index, but requires payment to access the records, use, "free index, images ($) at the end of the link.

Example:

• 1900-1934 Minnesota Births, 1900-1934 at Minnesota Historical Society - free index, images ($)

Example wikitext code:

*'''1900-1934''' [https://www.mnhs.org/search/people Minnesota Births, 1900-1934] at [https://www.mnhs.org/ Minnesota Historical Society] - free index, images ($)

FamilySearch Historical Records database

For FamilySearch Historical Records collections, the RecordSearch template is used to assist in updating URL links.

Example:

• 1817 – 1979 Arkansas Probate Records 1817-1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images; includes guardianship records
  
  

Example wikitext code:

*'''1817 – 1979''' {{RecordSearch|2061549|Arkansas Probate Records 1817-1979|access=browse}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — [[Arkansas Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images; includes guardianship records

Specific to FamilySearch Historical Records Collections:

1. RecordSearch template: Instead of an external link, use the RecordSearch template to for any FamilySearch Historical Records databases. 'Instructions for creating RecordSearch template links.
2. How to Use this Collection: Create an internal link to the Historical Records Collection Wiki page for users to easily access the information about the collection.
3. Add additional info: Add any additional information after the "How to Use this Collection" link.

Source Citations

There is no one way to create a source. You will find many sources in the reference section of wiki pages are using The Chicago Manual of Style, but all are acceptable. Below are some suggested formatting regarding citations.

Reference Bibliography

When adding a reference to information within a Wiki article, use the following code:

<ref>AUTHOR, "ARTICLE NAME," REPOSITORY, URL, accessed ACCESSDATE.</ref>

Example wikitext code:
Chile’s official language is Spanish.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Chile," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile, accessed 24 March 2016.</ref>

Display result:
Chile’s official language is Spanish.

Adding References Heading

Add a heading 2 or heading 3 (whichever is more appropriate for the page) named References as the last header on the page; i.e. at the bottom of the page before the NAVBOX and Category templates. The reference list tag is added below the header in the following format:
== References ==
<references />

More information can be found on Source Citation Formats

Bibliography List in Body of the Wiki Page

When there are long lists of books or articles within a Wiki page, use the suggested format. This allows users to easily scan a list of pertinent resources.
Add the information in the following order, left to right:
1. First element: add a bullet at the beginning of each book/article citation
2. Second element: Title of book in italics
3. Year of publication
4. Add the word “By” and then put the author’s full name, starting with first name
5. Add publication information, using the following: publication location, followed by colon, publisher.
6. Add the words "Online at:" at the end following the publisher.

Example:

• Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska. 1890. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Pub. Co. Online at:

Wikitext example:

*''Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska.'' 1890. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Pub. Co. Online at:

Words of guidance:

• Capitalize the complete title even though it is not in the catalog
  
• If the title is really long, just give the first portion of the title and leave off the rest.
  
• If there is ever information missing use the following guidelines:
  • Missing author: leave it blank and move on to the publisher information.
  • Missing publication date: use n.d.
  • Missing publication place: use n.p.
  • Missing publisher: use n.p.

Example of no author, no date of publication, no place of publication, and no publisher information:

Niobrara Centennial 1856-1956. N.d. N.p: n.p.

Repositories - Contact Information

Below is the suggested format for listing information about a specific repository in the Wiki:

INSTITUTION NAME

ADDRESS
ADDRESS
ADDRESS
Telephone: #######
Email: address@email.com
Website: [URL WEBSITENAME]

(optional: brief description of institution hours/services, etc.)

Example Wikitext code:
'''Seychelles National Archives'''<br>
5th June Avenue<br>
P.O. Box 720<br
Victoria, Mahe<br>
Seychelles<br>
'''Telephone:''' +248 4 321 333<br>
'''Email:''' archives@seychelles.net<br>
'''Website:''' [http://www.sna.gov.sc/ sna.gov.sc]<br><br>

:Family history research is done Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm on appointment.<br>
:Genealogical Research at the National Archives has a fee:<br>
::SR350.00 if you do your own research<br>
::SR500.00 if the staff carries out your research<br>

Display result:

Seychelles National Archives
5th June Avenue
P.O. Box 720
Victoria, Mahe
Seychelles
Telephone: +248 4 321 333
Email: archives@seychelles.net
Website: sna.gov.sc/

Family history research is done Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm on appointment.

Genealogical Research at the National Archives has a fee:

SR350.00 if you do your own research.

SR500.00 if the staff carries out your research.

Geographical Names

A proposed style guideline Naming Conventions for Geographic Names is being discussed. Once a consensus is reached a guideline will be adopted.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

The first time you use a term that can be abbreviated, write it out and put the acronym in parentheses, e.g., the zone improvement plan (zip) codes were developed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1963. 

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

Use the Special characters menu to insert m-dash

The collection is free on this subscription website.