The sources for all the information you gather for individuals and marriages should be properly documented. As you enter source citation information, your genealogy software automatically formats it to create three types of references used in written family histories and reports. So, once youve entered that census record as a source for greatgrandpas birthplace, it only takes a few clicks of the mouse to add it as a source. Mar 31, 2019 when evaluating and documenting the sources used to establish your family tree connections, it is important to understand the different types of sources. You may remember writing papers in school that required a list of sources such as a bibliography, footnotes or endnotes. How to name sources in rootsmagic 7 genealogy gems.
One of our genealogists shows how to properly cite your sources. The specific steps vary depending on your program, but most let you create a master source that includes a title, author and publication information, as well as the source s locationwhether its a library, courthouse or your personal filesand a specific call number or web site address. Citing an online database like, or with just the title of the web page is not a sufficient source citation. Generate works cited pages, bibliographies and more in mla, apa, chicago and various other formats. Although errors can be made when scanning documents as so many genealogical sources are, the actual format of the document is not important to cite e. Citing genealogical sources for your family history shouldnt require a degree in rocket science or entail spending every waking moment trying to determine exactly how to document your materials. A manual for documenting family histories and genealogical records. Do a search on genealogy source documentation and you will come up with a long list. I would record new information into threering notebooks. The legacy sourcewriter style helps you so you dont have to remember all these different. But first, heres a quick summary of the best genealogy software. The same basic process can be used for genealogy research. Cite the census source for each member of the family listed. I would write down names, dates, places, and perhaps a bit more information that.
Sourcewriter cite your sources easily and correctly with the new sourcewriter. You typed the code into your computer, which was a common way of publishing software in the early days. Keeping track of your source information and citations is the other half of the battle. Why ancestry and familysearch arent sources amy johnson crow. For example, a marriage license may also divulge birth information and should be cited for both the marriage and the birth. Many genealogy software programs offer source citation templates which create footnotes or endnotes in printed charts and forms. Referring to the provenance of the record, original sources are records that contribute written, oral, or visual information not derived copied, abstracted. Geoff rasmussen has volunteered to give several examples of how he would enter varying types of sources with legacy. If youre using paper charts and forms, you can still create your own footnote system by attaching numbers to each fact, and recording your citations. To allow others to check your facts and perhaps learn from you to let others know enough about the sources so they could find and use the same information to help you find your sources if you need to look at them again to credit others whom you might quote where and when do you cite your sources.
Easier source citation with your genealogy software. In the add source window, click more to select a template. In addition, this guide contains over 25 of the most used source citation formats for genealogists. That, of course, was a major step for users wishing to cite sources consistently. After completing the course, you will be able to safely and confidently record sources, citations, and quality in your genealogy software without having to consult a book or quick sheet. Above are links to different examples of how i document my sources using legacy 9. In or any other software you are using you should cite the sources of all facts and information that you enter into profiles on your family tree. How to cite your sources in genealogy the best way to go about citing your sources is to write down what youve found as you find it. You could collaborate with a genealogy friend in drafting your basic citations, or ask a respected professional to critique your style. Throughout that week, i consulted with genealogy experts, built my own family tree back five generations, created family trees based on fictional characters, and learned a lot about irish kings and u. Secondary sources a primary source is a record that was created at the time of a event by a person who had reasonably close knowledge of the event. Simplifying genealogy sources and citations helps you cite your research so you always know where you found your genealogy records.
Citing genetic sources for history research evidence. By citing your sources you can effectively see what you have researched and what you have missed. In fact, in the genealogy world source citations are an important part of the research process as you discover your ancestors. Discover the differences between sources and citations. Link each source citation to the events it documents. One of the most essential elements of a genealogy research report are accurate citations. Cite those sources great examples that show you how. Most genealogy source and citation information does not.
The genealogical research process involves finding our ancestors by collecting sources that, when combined with our own knowledge, skills, and intuition, result in evidence from which we draw conclusions. Online genealogy sites usually have multiple databases. Sourcewriter makes it simple for you to select the correct input screen so that you enter all the pieces needed to correctly cite any source of information in the thousands of formats that exist for them. Luckily for us, citing your sources does not have to be a difficult task. If genealogy without documentation is mythology, recording our citations is essential to sound genealogical research. Taking time to document your findings, will bring credibility to your work, and save you hours of reresearching. When evaluating and documenting the sources used to establish your family genealogy connections, it is important to understand the different types of sources. For many of us, it was a painfully tedious process. Referring to the provenance of the record, original sources are records that contribute written, oral, or visual information not derived copied, abstracted, transcribed, or summarized from another written or oral record. Luckily, genealogy software makes it easy to record your sources. Examples of genealogical source citations national institute.
Genealogy software programs like family tree maker allow you to enter source information once, and then apply it to multiple records as necessary. A footnote is a reference system using numbers or special characters to alert the reader to a source citation at the bottom of the page. When a sculptor is commissioned to create a piece of art, the artists efforts are conveyed via the finished statue. A manual for documenting family histories and genealogical records was published. Cite your sources source footnotes examples of genealogical source citations national institute. The family tree university course source documentation.
Whether youre a beginner or an experienced professional, rootsmagic is the perfect tool for you compare our features with any other genealogy software, or better yet, download our free version and take it for a spin. Whether you are new to citing sources or you just need a refresher, ive created an easytouse guide at legacy family tree entitled citing your sources. Rootsmagic is the awardwinning genealogy software which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history easy. This not only makes your work look sloppy and unprofessional to other researchers, but it can also be confusing for you when you look at your. The new legacy sourcewriter will help you prepare properly formatted sources regardless of your expertise.
Some sources are given greater weight than others, and comparing sources is part of genealogical study. A manual for documenting family histories and genealogical records lackey, richard s. Besides citing your sources during your research it is also important to cite any sources if you are publishing your very own family history book. In this webinar, geoff rasmussen will 1 explain what makes a good citation, 2 demonstrate how to properly and consistently record the citation, and 3 provide insider tips and tricks for using legacy family trees sourcewriter. How to cite genealogy sources accurately and effectively, taught by charlotte bocage and available for the november session starting nov. Different sources or media format may require different arrangements. Be careful when citing your sources, especially on genealogy family tree software programs. I try to follow the documentation guidelines outlined in elizabeth shown mills book, evidence. Oct 20, 2017 when i started on my genealogy over 40 years ago, i was a name collector and i didnt cite my sources nor did i understand the value of citing sources.
What genealogy software programs can use simple citations. Once youve found a record, book, person, web page, artifact, or any source, make sure you document where you found it. Say goodbye to uncertainty about citation templates and formats. While youre visiting, be sure to visit the rest of this site and find out how easy it is to cite your sources. The citing your sources legacy quickguide contains valuable information so you can understand the components of source citations and start tracking your genealogy research in a uniform manner. How to create source citations for genealogy research.
Apr 09, 2016 helen recently transitioned from mac family tree 7 to rootsmagic 7. One of the purposes of this quicksheet is to show how to cite sources in compiling a genealogy using dna analysis. When evaluating and documenting the sources used to establish your family tree connections, it is important to understand the different types of sources. It can be easy to accidentally put a source on the wrong fact. This lets you record each source once and cite it unlimited times. Detail information on citing sources basic source system. While there are many opinions out there as to the correct way to cite various kinds of sources e. When i first started my transferring, family tree maker was still actively supporting transfers of information from to their program and now rootsmagic has introduced support. Mar 03, 2015 the best genealogy software and services. Census, this site has been updated and a blank form is being provided that may be used for transcribing your ancestors information. Cite your sources source footnotes genealogy familysearch.
These samples have been put together using legacys basic style of sources. Then you can create a source once and then cite it as needed, avoiding duplication. You should be able to answer affirmatively without hesitation. Well show you how the current versions of three popular desktop genealogy programsfamily tree maker, legacy family tree and rootsmagiccan turn the sometimesscary task of source citation into a satisfying one instead. Each genealogy program has its own system for citing sources. Most genealogy software and family tree sites let you type in source details and attach digitized records to facts and events in your tree.
Finding the correct source for information about your ancestor can require timeconsuming research. Before we get into the details of how to cite sources, lets take a brief look at genealogy. I personally want the citation details on my notes, regardless of where else they may appear. For standard genealogy programs such as gramps, my recommendation is to cite i. A source is any material book, document, record, or periodical, for example that provides information for your genealogy research. The dangers of being careless on citing resources in your. Mills demonstrates, the standards for citation, evidence analysis, and proof. I have written my own book, albeit just printed out and bound for my family, not published, and i have put in citations where appropriate. Your genealogy computer program should have a way to add your sources. Referring to the provenance of the record, original sources are records that contribute written, oral, or visual information not derived copied, abstracted, transcribed, or summarized from another. She sent me this question about how to name sources in rootsmagic. After selecting a fact, click the downarrow beside new under the sources tab, and select add new source citation. The blank 1940 census form may be found by clicking here. Version 7 of legacy heralds the introduction of sourcewriter.
Why citing sources is crucial in genealogy and how to do it. Examples of genealogical source citations national. Sourcewriter is a template driven sourcing system that makes it easy for you to select the correct input screen so that you enter all the pieces needed to correctly cite any source of information in the thousands of formats that exist for them. A citation is the link that connects a source to our conclusion. Aug 25, 2017 a source is wherever you get your information. If you share your file with relatives who use genealogy software, they wont need to reenter all your sources. Sources, citations and documentation with rootsmagic.
Simple citations was created for use with rootmagic as that was the first program that introduced templates for citing genealogical sources. This is easily accomplished by using genealogy software such as rootsmagic. May 01, 2018 think back to your college and high school days, when every research paper you wrote required properly cited sources. I well remember my early days of family tree searches. Facebook has a genealogy site called cite your sources and i think you will find this answered there, also. Where to cite sources person, family, or facts discussion. Sources and citations made simple, standard, and powerful. Jul 14, 2014 one thing that genealogists need to do is to always cite their sources. Jan 30, 2019 i spent 40 hours researching and testing genealogy software to find out which program is the best. Learn how to link your citations to your paper and digital records. This is easily accomplished by using genealogy software.
Is the citation clear enough that they can understand the merit of the source being cited. Keeping track of sources helps you remember where you discovered the information and helps other researchers retrace your steps. Genealogical software has a builtin style, some more useful than others. This not only makes your work look sloppy and unprofessional to other researchers, but it can also be confusing for you when you look at your research later. Lets take a closer look at what genealogy software can do for your research.
I created simple citations for my own use because all of the existing approaches require too much work, are fraught with ambiguities, and are far. Your software might even use those details to generate a formal source citation. Rootsmagic 7 best overall desktopbased family tree software and most used by professional genealogists. Also called a source list entry, this is information about the source itself. Its been many months since i first decided that i wanted to manually transfer my sources from to my genealogy program of choice, legacy family tree.
Software source citations made easy family tree magazine. It was written in microsoft basic for the trs80 by radio shack. In practice, most of us cite our sources with different degrees of formality. Sound genealogy research is built on a variety of sources. In this way, you and those who come after you from your own descendants to fellow researchers will have an easier time following your. Your records should be detailed enough so that any other person in the future could. While youre researching, just make it a point to write down what record you are using. Mar 03, 2015 the best genealogy software and services for 2015. This handy 5page pdf guide can be used on your computer or mobile device for. Detail information on citing sources basic source system when doing genealogy work, you should keep track of each piece of information you collect and also where you found it. Citing sources eastmans online genealogy newsletter. If you keep records in digital form, you can include a source number in each file name and keep a spreadsheet of the corresponding source citations. Simplifying genealogy sources and citations sassy jane.
Discussion of proper source citations in genealogy research. It could be the conversation you had with your aunt betty. If youre using an online service like familysearch or ancestry, your work is mostly done for you as you can attach source documents directly to an individuals record. I stripped out all sources from my old file before exporting the gedcom because i wanted to start fresh with a consistent system in rootsmagic 7. A citation is a notation that connects the source to your research and supports any conclusions made. This is the basic and most accepted guide for documenting sources in genealogy. To me this is a no brainer, as i made the decision early on in my research to document all my sources and how they should look when i created a narrative report, so if i had to go back and. Genealogy software programs rootsmagic, legacy, ancestral quest, paf and others have options that allow you to not only cite your sources but the program formats them for you. Dig deep into your familys history using these applications and websites. This was long before the invention of the personal computer. Some people or archival institutions prefer the description to begin with the broadest elements, narrowing to the specific.
1435 204 1161 95 1117 663 1062 129 894 931 696 815 1268 1255 906 797 1476 646 4 883 289 171 51 337 784 358 785