FamilySearch Wiki

FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style-Formatting

Revision as of 13:00, 24 May 2022 by Batsondl (talk | contribs) (→‎Website)

The following includes information regarding formatting in the Research Wiki Manual of Style.

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 emphasize 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

Do not use underline as a way to emphasize text because the use of underline indicates text with a hyperlink. Do not underline book titles.

Collection Links

Although there is no one absolute way to list a database in the Wiki, the following are guidelines to provide a more user-friendly experience.

Summary of elements in a database link:

  1. Bullet list: Start each database link with a bullet.
  2. List Dates: If dates are known regarding the database, repeat the dates in bold at directly after the bullet and before the database link. Do not use a hyphen after the dates or before the database link.
  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 inform the website/company providing the database, put "at" and the name of the website. To increase readability, do not link the name of the website to a general search page or main page. The only time a link should be added is when the websites are found in a database link listing multiple websites. Include a link directly to the database for that website. Use the Guidelines for more formatting instructions.
  6. Index/Images: Add whether the database contains an index, images, or both. Place that after an m-dash (preferred, but not required). Use the guidelines found below.
  7. ($): If the database is on a subscription website, indicate it by putting a dollar sign in parenthesis ($) at the very end of the database link. Use the guidelines found below.
  8. Other info: Add any additional notes that would be helpful for users to know about this database. This can include information about locality coverage or any other important information.
  9. Identical Databases on Multiple Websites Use the guidelines for formatting a database link that is available on multiple websites.


Databases

Below is the format of a database collection. This format especially helpful for a list of collections found on a Wiki page.

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


Examples:



Examples 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 MyHeritage — index & images, ($)

* '''1850-1939''' {{RecordSearch|2527591|Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939}} at FamilySearch — [[Iowa, Delayed Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images

Guidelines for "Index & Images" Phrases

Give information regarding how complete the collection is, what it covers, or additional helpful information at the end of the database line, by using an m-dash (preferred, but not required) and one of the following phrases:

  • "index & images" or "index and images": used for collections that have indexes with images attached or browsable images available
  • "index": used for databases that are only an index and no images
  • "images": used for databases that only have browsable images available


Examples:


Linking to Websites

  • List the website the database is located on by stating, "at WEBSITENAME" after the name of the database
  • Put a dash after the website name to list further information regarding index, images, subscription fees, completeness of database, and other important notes regarding the database collection.
  • To increase readability, do not add a link to the website name.


Listing Databases on Wiki Page

  • When possible, list databases in chronological order.
  • When listing databases that do not have a beginning or ending date, you can use "Pre" and "Post" to help identify the dates the database may cover.
  • Do not use circa or ca. to identify about dates. The dates we list at the beginning of the database link are suggestions to what the database may cover and are not verified for accuracy on their websites. Thus, all database links are "about" dates and do not need to be marked as "about", "circa", or "ca.".


Example:


Identical Collection Databases on Multiple Websites

  • Some databases are shared on more than one genealogical website.
  • The first website listed should be formatted as found above.
  • Subsequent websites with the same database should be listed adding the relevant link to the website name.
  • FamilySearch databases should be listed first, when applicable.
  • The phrase, Also at: should be added before the list of additional websites.
  • Below is an example of the preferred way to list a database available on multiple websites:

Example:

Example Wikitext Code:

*'''1849-1940''' {{RecordSearch|1520594|Sweden Baptisms}} at FamilySearch — [[Sweden Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & 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]($)''


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 that databases without a "($)" are 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 "(£)."


Examples:


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:

Example wikitext code:

*'''1849-1985''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70800/ Web: Minnesota, Naturalization Index, 1849-1985] at 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:


Example wikitext code:

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


FamilySearch Historical Records Collections - Using Templates

1. RecordSearch template: For FamilySearch Historical Records collections, use the RecordSearch template instead of an external link for any FamilySearch Historical Records databases.

2. How to Use this Collection link: Add a link titled, "How to Use this Collection" to the corresponding Historical Records collection Wiki page.

a. From the collection details page, click the link that says "How to Use this Collection".
b. Use the code below to create the internal link.
Hr screenshot.PNG

[[NAME OF PAGE|How to Use this Collection]]
c. Copy the name of the page and paste it to replace NAME OF PAGE in the code use above.

3. Add additional info: Add any additional information as shown in the examples above after the "How to Use this Collection" link.

Example:

Example wikitext code:

*'''1884-1910''' {{RecordSearch|4324902|Arizona, Yuma, Prison Records, 1884-1910}} at FamilySearch — [[Arizona, Yuma, Prison Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


Example for browse only collections:

Example wikitext code for browse only collections:

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


FamilySearch Collections With Limited Access

There are some FamilySearch Historical Collections that have limited access online and instead must be viewed at a Family History Center or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Collections that have this limitation, will be indicated by the following: (*)

When you hover over the "(*)", it displays the following: Due to contractual agreements, some images and/or databases on FamilySearch.org may only be viewed at a Family History Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

Example:

Example wikitext code:

*'''1884-1910''' {{RecordSearch|4233297|England, Nottinghamshire, Church Records, 1578-1937}}(*) at FamilySearch — [[England, Nottinghamshire, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


FamilySearch Catalog Links - Using Templates


FamilySearch Catalog Link to Digital Images

  • When possible, use the corresponding FamilySearch template to link to catalog entries that have links to digital images.

  • (*): Because the ability to view images varies from collection to collection for our patrons, add "(*)" at the end of the collection link to inform patrons that visiting a family history center or FamilySearch affiliate library may be required to view the images. Use "(*)" regardless of if the collection is currently unrestricted. Contracts are occasionally altered and there is no way to know if access has changed.

Example:

Example wikitext code:

*'''1642-1904''' {{FHL|123968|title-id|disp=Deeds, 1642-1904; index to deeds, 1647-1905}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images


Source Citations

There are many accepted ways to create a source for a citation. Many sources in the reference section of Wiki pages follow The Chicago Manual of Style, but other forms are acceptable. Below are some suggested formatting regarding citations. More information can be found on the Wiki page: Source Citation Formats.

Reference Bibliography

Book

Book Format Example:

 <ref>Author(s), ''Title'' (Place of publication: Publisher, year of publication), volume: page number(s), [book call number; microfilm call number]. Digitized by Repository at URL (accessed date).</ref>


Book Example:

Clement Luther Martzolff, FamilySearch Digital Library (New Lexington, Ohio: Ward & Weiland, 1902), 144-46. [FHL book 977.159 H2m; FHL film 897280 Item 2]. Digitized by BYU Family History Archives (accessed 20 January 2009).


Example wikitext code with Ref tags:

<ref>Clement Luther Martzolff, ''[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/378867-history-of-perry-county-ohio?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]'' (New Lexington, Ohio: Ward & Weiland, 1902), 144-46. [FHL book 977.159 H2m; FHL film 897280 Item 2]. Digitized by BYU Family History Archives (accessed 20 January 2009).</ref>

Website

When adding a reference to information within a Wiki article in a bibliographic list or in the reference section, you can use the following formats:

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

Website Example 1:

Wikipedia contributors, "Chile," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile, accessed 24 March 2016.

Example 1 wikitext code with Ref Tags:

<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Chile," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile, accessed 24 March 2016.</ref>


Website Example 2:

National Genealogical Society, "Standards for Sharing Information with Others" in National Genealogical Society (Internet site), at www.ngsgenealogy.org/comstandsharing.htm (accessed 11 November 2003).

Example 2 wikitext code with Ref Tags:

<ref>National Genealogical Society, "Standards for Sharing Information with Others" in National Genealogical Society (Internet site), at www.ngsgenealogy.org/comstandsharing.htm (accessed 11 November 2003).</ref>

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

Bibiliographic Lists

There are two ways to list sources in the Wiki:
1. Using the traditional format listed above, such as, The Chicago Manual of Style
2. Reformatting the bibliographic source to list the title first. More about the format is listed below.

It is suggested that long lists of sources for users to review for further information should be formated listing the title first for easier readability. However, the final decision of the format can be left to the discretion of the editor.

Traditional List of Bibliographic Sources

  • Use The Chicago Manual of Style or other citation formats.
  • Use templates to list call numbers for the FamilySearch Catalog and for WorldCat.
  • If the book is online, add the phrase "Online at:" at the end following the citation. Bold and italicize the phrase for better visibility.


Examples of Bibliographic entry for bibiliographic list and/or reference section of a Wiki page:

  • Austin, Jeannette Holland. The Georgians: Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984.) FSC book 975.8 D2ag; At various libraries (WorldCat)
  • Crozier, William Armstrong. A Key to Southern Pedigrees: Being a Comprehensive Guide to the Colonial Ancestry of Families in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Southern Book Company, 1953. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  • Gnann, Pearl R. Georgia Salzburger and Allied Families. Revised. (Savannah, Georgia: Mrs. C. LeBey and Georgia Genealogical Reprints, 1970.) FSC book 975.8 D2g; At various libraries


Example of Bibliographic entry in the references section of the Wiki page in wikitext code:

*Austin, Jeannette Holland. ''The Georgians: Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers.'' (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984.) {{FHL|359047|item|disp=FSC book 975.8 D2ag}}; {{WorldCat|11206286|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}

*Crozier, William Armstrong. ''A Key to Southern Pedigrees: Being a Comprehensive Guide to the Colonial Ancestry of Families in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama.'' 2nd ed. Baltimore: Southern Book Company, 1953. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/370403-a-key-to-southern-pedigrees-being-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-colonial-ancestry-of-families-in-the-states-of-virginia-maryland-georgia-north-carolina-south-carolina-kentucky-tennessee-west-virginia-and-alabama?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library].

*Gnann, Pearl R. ''Georgia Salzburger and Allied Families''. Revised. (Savannah, Georgia: Mrs. C. LeBey and Georgia Genealogical Reprints, 1970.) {{FHL|665285|item|disp=FSC book 975.8 D2g}}; {{WorldCat|19172047|disp=At various libraries}}

Bibliography List in Body of the Wiki Page - Listing the Title First

When there are long lists of books or articles within a Wiki page, use the suggested format listed below. 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 phrase "Online at:" at the end following the publisher. Bold and italicize the phrase for better visibility.

Examples:

  • Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska. 1890. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Pub. Co. Online at: Internet Archive
  • History of Washington County, Iowa : from the first white settlements to 1908. 1909. By Howard A Burrell. Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. At various libraries (WorldCat)
  • The Georgians: Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers 1984 By Jeannette Holland Austin. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company. FSC book 975.8 D2ag; At various libraries (WorldCat)


Examples wikitext code:

*''Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska.'' 1890. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Pub. Co. '''''Online at:''''' [https://archive.org/details/biographicalhistachhne00good Internet Archive]
 
*''History of Washington County, Iowa : from the first white settlements to 1908''. 1909. By Howard A Burrell. 	Chicago, IL: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. {{WorldCat|181357802|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}

*''The Georgians: Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers'' 1984 By Jeannette Holland Austin. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company. {{FHL|359047|item|disp=FSC book 975.8 D2ag}}; {{WorldCat|11206286|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}


Formatting Guidelines:

  • Capitalize the complete title.
  • 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.

Listing Online Books

  • When a digital version of a source is available, add the phrase "Online at:" at the end of the citation.
  • Bold and italicize the phrase for better visibility.
  • The clickable link to the digital book should be the name of the Website.


Examples:

  • Crozier, William Armstrong. A Key to Southern Pedigrees: Being a Comprehensive Guide to the Colonial Ancestry of Families in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Southern Book Company, 1953. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  • Pioneer days of Bremer County, Iowa. 1918, W.V. Lucas. Waverly, Iowa: Waverly Democrat. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
  • DeMond, Robert O. The Loyalists in North Carolina During the Revolution. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1940. Online at: Ancestry ($)
  • Hoffman, Ogden and Numa Herbert. Reports of Land Cases Determined in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California June Term, 1853 to June Term, 1858. United States District Court (California: Northern District), 1862. Online at: Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat)
  • Jack, George S. History of Roanoke County. Roanoke, Va.: Stone, c1912. 'Online at: Ancestry ($); Google Books
  • Kvasnicka, Robert M., compiler. The Trans-Mississippi West, 1804–1912, Part IV, A Guide to Records of the Department of the Interior for the Territorial Period, Section 3: Records of the General Land Office]. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007. Online at: Hathitrust; At various libraries (WorldCat)

Examples wikitext code:

*Crozier, William Armstrong. ''A Key to Southern Pedigrees: Being a Comprehensive Guide to the Colonial Ancestry of Families in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama.'' 2nd ed. Baltimore: Southern Book Company, 1953. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/370403-a-key-to-southern-pedigrees-being-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-colonial-ancestry-of-families-in-the-states-of-virginia-maryland-georgia-north-carolina-south-carolina-kentucky-tennessee-west-virginia-and-alabama?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library].

*''Pioneer days of Bremer County, Iowa''. 1918, W.V. Lucas. Waverly, Iowa: Waverly Democrat. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/49127-pioneer-days-of-bremer-county-iowa?offset=1 FamilySearch Digital Library]

*DeMond, Robert O. ''The Loyalists in North Carolina During the Revolution. ''Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1940. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48260/ Ancestry] ($)

*Hoffman, Ogden and Numa Herbert. ''Reports of Land Cases Determined in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California June Term, 1853 to June Term, 1858.'' United States District Court (California: Northern District), 1862. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Reports_of_Land_Cases_Determined_in_the/HNNGAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 Google Books]; [https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Reports+of+Land+Cases+Determined+in+the+United+States+District+Court+for+the+Northern+District+of+California&qt=owc_search At various libraries (WorldCat)]

*Jack, George S. ''History of Roanoke County''. Roanoke, Va.: Stone, c1912. '''''Online at:''''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=10589 Ancestry] ($); [http://books.google.com/books?id=904SAAAAYAAJ Google Books]

*Kvasnicka, Robert M., compiler. ''The Trans-Mississippi West, 1804–1912, Part IV, A Guide to Records of the Department of the Interior for the Territorial Period, Section 3: Records of the General Land Office]''. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007. '''''Online at:''''' [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89082447038&view=1up&seq=3&skin=2021 Hathitrust]; {{WorldCat|1305869686|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}

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: [mailto:address@email.com address@email.com]

[URL Website]

[URL Facebook]

(optional: brief description of institution hours/services, etc. Please indent using a colon)


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

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.


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: [mailto:archives@seychelles.net archives@seychelles.net]<br>

[http://www.sna.gov.sc/ Website]<br><br>

[https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1437064109845935 Facebook]<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>

Geographical Names

See Naming Conventions for Geographic Names for more information.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

  • The first time you use a term that can be abbreviated, write it out and put the acronym in parentheses.

Example:
The International Genealogical Index (IGI) was a computer file created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Naming Subheadings within Articles

Organizing Information

In an article, subheadings or sections should be used to organize the content and keep similar information together. Subheadings should help users scan an article to find the information they need.

Guidelines for Subheadings/section Titles

Use the guidelines for article titles with the following differences. Once you put in a title it can't be changed by you but subtitles can be changed, removed and reorganized by you.

  1. There are many templates that will help to organize a page. Two great examples:
  1. Use Help pages. They are guides to assist in the detailing of a page. An example:
  1. Another guide that will help you organize a page is Headings for Articles about Records
  1. Then go to Editing the Wiki. This page gives many ways to add to your page and options to use.

Use the Special characters menu to insert m-dash

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

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

The collection is free on this subscription website.

Due to contractual agreements, some images and/or databases on FamilySearch.org may only be viewed at a FamilySearch Center or FamilySearch Affiliate Library.

Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)

FamilySearch Center (FSC); formerly called, Family History Center (FHC)

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