Family History Advancements 2013 - March 21, 2013
If you've been to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah over the last 6 years you've noticed some changes. Chief among them is the movement from shelves of books to more and more computer stations.
The movement has been possible thanks to conversions of books to film and digital images. This is providing for more access to film or book information from computer stations as digital images. To those converting these films and books to digital images we give thanks. Thank you to all the workers both volunteer and paid. The work of indexing of films in catalogs and indexing of images also moves forward.
The number of digital/CDROM/DVD stations has increased. Allowing for moving images to USB drives and Media rather than having to print and scan.
Thus the move to more digital has not only begun but has increased. Now researchers can access the Library Catalog from anywhere and access digital images. In some cases this is without indexes to images but that is improving also.
Does this mean the need for the Library is gone. Far from it.
The number of books and films imaged is still quite small but is growing.
Filming continues all over the world and book acquisitions and donations continue.
But their is great hope. These improvements in resources are allowing more and more access for users online. And what the Main Family History doesn't have filmed or digitized is sometimes available through other libraries. Brigham Young University (BYU), New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) and many others. Subscription services continue to publish more digitized images at Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, Newspaperarchive.com, and many others.
Newspapers are digitizing or partnering with others to digitize.
Volunteers are adding to databases of cemeteries.
Local governments, including towns, cities, counties, and federal government are providing more or working with partners to provide more.
Temple submission work can now be done from a computer anywhere as can many of these libraries, subscription companies, universities, newspapers, and other repositories.
While progress is definitely being made their is much more still to be done. Yes, the future is bright. Unfortunately, with progress also comes set backs. Legislators changing laws to restrict access to documents used for genealogical purposes have in some cases blocked the use of already filmed documents. Some churches have closed off their records which were once available. So with the advancements we have some setbacks. But the improvements are many.
To those again helping to make these images and data more accessible. We salute you. We thank you for your service and look forward to the continuing to make available more and more books, films and records for research.
Sincerely, James.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Family Tree/New Family Search
March 21, 2013
From Temple Ready to New.Familysearch and now Family Tree.
Change is about making something better or improving. We usually have less difficulty if the change is a smooth transition and makes things easier.
Family Tree at this point in time is a change but it's also duplication.
New.family search was initially designed to be used as a replacement for Temple Ready in processing temple names and saving us from duplication. Unfortunately, the software engineers/updaters again didn't listen to the users and family history professionals and put duplicate databases of Ancestral File from users multiple correction databases in New.Family Search. Then add the Pedigree Resource File (PRF) and you have more duplicates. Fortunately, PRF was done so only the most recent file was kept on updates. Then we were instructed that we could clean up new.familysearch duplicates and have clean files. But the new.familysearch program wasn't set up for live individuals. People tried to use it for that but had to add live data and it wasn't accessable to anyone but the user.
Along comes Family Tree, an online proposed solution for the need to have a genealogy program like Personal Ancestral File (PAF), Ancestral Quest, Legacy, FamilyTreeMaker, RootsMagic, The Master Genealogist and other lesser known programs. While all these programs have their pluses and minuses and some charting software or database software is used to do the same things they are all used to record genealogical data. You could now cleanup duplicates in Family Tree and do live individuals and do temple submissions.
So instead of adding the additional features of Family Tree to New Family Search they are now requiring duplicates to be cleaned up in Family Tree. And as a user and discussing it with many users (including advanced) the problem remains of adding more work to clean up duplicates.
My biggest problem with changes is the lack of ease in moving data between existing genealogy software and New.familysearch and Family Tree. So now we have to enter information and sources in Family Tree or whatever genealogy software you are using then transfer the information to new.familysearch to do ordinance work. And don't forget cleaning up duplicates in New Family Search or Family Tree.
While some of the genealogy programs sync with new.familysearch for ordinance work creation and updating, others do not. And the level of success varies. Meaning sometimes you still have to do it in New.familysearch.
For users entering data and doing research and sourcing documentation Family Tree is cumbersome at best in forcing you to switch between screens, something most genealogy programs do a better job of. And Family Tree has your good data along with all the bad data people submit and mix in with the good.
As a user of genealogy software for over 20 years I find the Family Tree program to be an addition that is a step backward rather than forward. Just because something is new doesn't mean it's better is another way of saying it. So for now, I'd stick with genealogy software programs above and not use Family Tree. Even for a new user I wouldn't recommend it over other software. Hopefully the designers and people at New.Family Search will listen more to qualified beta testers in the future and researchers and get it right for a change. Having spent over 30 years working with software engineers it's easy to know why they shouldn't be leading the way in designing software for family history. The blunders of DOS PAF, Ancestral File Submissions then stripping sources, Ancestral File Corrections, Ancestral File computer merges, Pedigree Resource Filer, Temple Ready & IGI seperate, NewFamily Search Database duplicates and now Family Tree duplicates and sourcing are a history lesson on not listening. Were their improvements along the way, yes some, but much more could have been done to avoid more problems and improve.
Competent professionals in family history have identified these blunders and issues long before releases and given feedback but were ignored.
They are still ignored. We continue to keep hope alive waiting for the day when these problems will be avoided by listening to users and professionals.
All for now, James.
From Temple Ready to New.Familysearch and now Family Tree.
Change is about making something better or improving. We usually have less difficulty if the change is a smooth transition and makes things easier.
Family Tree at this point in time is a change but it's also duplication.
New.family search was initially designed to be used as a replacement for Temple Ready in processing temple names and saving us from duplication. Unfortunately, the software engineers/updaters again didn't listen to the users and family history professionals and put duplicate databases of Ancestral File from users multiple correction databases in New.Family Search. Then add the Pedigree Resource File (PRF) and you have more duplicates. Fortunately, PRF was done so only the most recent file was kept on updates. Then we were instructed that we could clean up new.familysearch duplicates and have clean files. But the new.familysearch program wasn't set up for live individuals. People tried to use it for that but had to add live data and it wasn't accessable to anyone but the user.
Along comes Family Tree, an online proposed solution for the need to have a genealogy program like Personal Ancestral File (PAF), Ancestral Quest, Legacy, FamilyTreeMaker, RootsMagic, The Master Genealogist and other lesser known programs. While all these programs have their pluses and minuses and some charting software or database software is used to do the same things they are all used to record genealogical data. You could now cleanup duplicates in Family Tree and do live individuals and do temple submissions.
So instead of adding the additional features of Family Tree to New Family Search they are now requiring duplicates to be cleaned up in Family Tree. And as a user and discussing it with many users (including advanced) the problem remains of adding more work to clean up duplicates.
My biggest problem with changes is the lack of ease in moving data between existing genealogy software and New.familysearch and Family Tree. So now we have to enter information and sources in Family Tree or whatever genealogy software you are using then transfer the information to new.familysearch to do ordinance work. And don't forget cleaning up duplicates in New Family Search or Family Tree.
While some of the genealogy programs sync with new.familysearch for ordinance work creation and updating, others do not. And the level of success varies. Meaning sometimes you still have to do it in New.familysearch.
For users entering data and doing research and sourcing documentation Family Tree is cumbersome at best in forcing you to switch between screens, something most genealogy programs do a better job of. And Family Tree has your good data along with all the bad data people submit and mix in with the good.
As a user of genealogy software for over 20 years I find the Family Tree program to be an addition that is a step backward rather than forward. Just because something is new doesn't mean it's better is another way of saying it. So for now, I'd stick with genealogy software programs above and not use Family Tree. Even for a new user I wouldn't recommend it over other software. Hopefully the designers and people at New.Family Search will listen more to qualified beta testers in the future and researchers and get it right for a change. Having spent over 30 years working with software engineers it's easy to know why they shouldn't be leading the way in designing software for family history. The blunders of DOS PAF, Ancestral File Submissions then stripping sources, Ancestral File Corrections, Ancestral File computer merges, Pedigree Resource Filer, Temple Ready & IGI seperate, NewFamily Search Database duplicates and now Family Tree duplicates and sourcing are a history lesson on not listening. Were their improvements along the way, yes some, but much more could have been done to avoid more problems and improve.
Competent professionals in family history have identified these blunders and issues long before releases and given feedback but were ignored.
They are still ignored. We continue to keep hope alive waiting for the day when these problems will be avoided by listening to users and professionals.
All for now, James.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Why research siblings?
Professional Research vs Novice/Beginning/Hobbyist:
Often I see research work done by novice/beginning/hobbyist researchers that encompasses hours of time and is unsuccessful.
Many factors make up the causes: Detail matters!
1. Failure to document research adequately.
a. Many people use existing published information on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Genealogy.com, Genforum.com and others without documenting or verifying the information. Much of this published information is undocumented. Some of it even has disclaimers, stating you need to document and verify it. Major blunder.
ex. Years ago I posted some personal family research on Genealogy.com and Ancestry.com. Later I learned that each charged people to get my information and didn't pay anything to me for it. Not only did people copy the information but they deleted notes that identified information only as proposed or requiring further research. They also failed to identify where it came from. (Sources) I was following up on this proposed information and came on several people posting on it. After hours, weeks, months and in some cases years, I found my researched information utilized by many others. So and so got it from so and so and they got it from so and so and eventually this person got it from me, James Clemans postings. What frustration and agravation? My number one question became: What do you have as sources to document that information on a particular, person, and event. I.E. Ebenezer Clemons as the son of Philip Clemons. If the answer was none, (Which it unfortunately always was) I moved on. So while undocumented information can give clues it can also be a dead end and cause hours of wasted correspondence. On the other hand it can sometimes ...... be fruitful so remember to ask about sources and documentation always.
B. Some people do one basic census lookup and assume the information is correct.
Correctness of information on censuses varies depending on who the enumerator spoke to. (which is not listed. )
Or the enumerators understanding of language, spelling, and own education.
Places can be wrong, ages off, assumptions could have been made on step children coming from their current mother, etc. Searching multiple censuses will give a more clear picture but cannot replace the value of primary source documents like birth, marriage, death, burial, military, church, etc. Error in the Sex - Male or Female or son or daughter are common. Sometimes relatives are listed as servants or borders.
2. Failure to cite research sources properly.
a. It was common years ago for people to record names and dates on bible records but not locations or relationships. Searching other records in tandem can turn up many mistakes.
Many books identify names and dates but no sources other than to say Family records, or Lists a long list of sources for the book but not the individual information. Checking other available records often identify descrepancies.
b. Some have listed a source at the bottom of a family group sheet but not identified with event or individual it is associated with. Always identify the event and individual to whom the source is referring.
c. Some abbreviate or partially identify only 1850 Census or 1850 Ohio Census under the father's notes. This saves time initially but it may cost more time later if further information or reference is necessary. This incomplete citing also makes it unclear to determine if it just applied to the father, mother, or which children. Noting the source on each individual is preferrable, and saves time now and in the future if questions arise. Ex. 1850 U.S. Census, Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, ED 123, Page 8, Folio 10 is more appropriate.
d. It is sometimes useful on key ancestral connections to extract all the information from primary or secondary sources and put it as notes in genealogy software programs on the individual and event. Review of such may identify the person living next door was really a relative or person living with them, or attending the wedding, or baptism.
e. Frequently variations in name are not cited accurately or with each source. Doing this properly initially can save a tremendous amount of time for researchers later. ex. Annet, Annetta, Annette, Ann, Mary A., Mary Annetta. and which document said what.
3. Failure to fully identify places correctly.
a. Names of town can change, counties and boundaries change, languages documents are in can change. People can live in the same place but the boundaries keep changing meaning the locations for records change also. ex. Bitter Creek becomes Delta, or Paris is in a county in Idaho, then later in Utah, then later back in Idaho, then changed to another name and later another town by the name of Paris was started in Idaho that is totally unrelated to the first. Another example is a client has ancestor born in Posen, Germany. Well, Posen is both a town and province. They paid a researcher to look in Posen town and after two sessions of research wasted quit researching for 10 years. We recommended the need to verify the town, found more on the siblings and other relatives in New York and located the family properly in Posen Province (also Poznan, Poland) and other names and extended the ancestry another 10 generations eventually.
4. Failure to incorrectly assume name changes.
Had a client with surname Johnson, family thought it later changed to Johnston. It severly lacked any documentation and sources. Family searching for a Peter Johnson and found a Peter Johnston in nearby town. Pursued that line and Cyrus Johnston famous military instead of correct Robert Seymour Johnson, Peter's father. Careful checking revealed middle name of Peter Harvey Johnson vs Peter Henry Johnston so details matter.
5. Failure to research spouses and siblings (Naming Patterns)
a. Often people want to extend the ancestry - extend, extend, extend. But they hit brick walls because their ancestor doesn't have a linking document to the next ancestor. So they keep looking for documents to link their ancestor.
b. Research of siblings can often lead to success. They may have the family bible, or had parents living with them, or dying with them, or buried next to them, or selling them land, or moving with them. ex. Allen research, Eliza Allen, sister of ancestral Mary Cecelia Allen. By researching her we found a mother Mrs. Mary Allen, living with Eliza and her husband, Henry O'Hagan. Also Mary's brother John Flood. This contradicted the marriage of Mary Cecilia Allen saying her mother was Mary Cornielson. Further research from this clue identified Mary Cecilia Allen's father had Eliza, another son James (who appears to have died young) and then Mary Cecilia and then Mary Cornielson/Allen died. James remarried Mary Flood who was living next door.
While researching Eliza we located her also with other siblings, one who was married into the Meade Family. Several Meade biographies identified several siblings marrying, and Allen ancestry going back into Ireland and exact town locations, a rare find for Ireland ancestry and a necessary one. The result full families documented, extensions of research on both Mary Cecilia Allen's mother and father's lines and especially extensions on Allen line. So years of going no where by the family were solved in one research project by researching siblings.
c. Research of spouses - frequently we see people take census information as fact. This child with that mother and parents as listed. They fail to factor in deaths of spouses. One such case involved Joseph Nichols. Research had stalled until spouses were researched. Death of second wife and her family revealed children by a prior wife, thus giving proper naming patterns for further research and resulting in line extensions on both first wife, second wife, and husband lines plus all children of each wife grouped properly.
6. Failure to understand naming patterns:
a. Naming patterns are first son named after paternal grandfather, second son after maternal grandfather, third son after father and fourth son after uncles on paternal or maternal side, the same pattern for girls. While not always followed or followed exactly, the numbers of this pattern being used are frequent. So if you research the spouse you then know names that don't come up on her side that maybe from the main surname. Thus is redefines the names and patterns to look for. So don't forget to research the spouses family.
b. Scandanavian, Welsh and other country or ethnic naming patterns. i.e. Patronymics.
A big word for countries and nationalities that didn't use surnames like we do today. John Williams names his son William and he becomes William Johnson and his sister Anna becomes Anna Johnsdatter/Johnsdotter. Understanding this can correct many common novice research mistakes. Also Native American/Indian and so other cultures only used first names and were matriarchial orders so names are also misleading and follow patterns. Don't assume because your ancestor was Ole Olson that he's related to Other Olson's in Norway or Denmark as their may be no relation whatsoever.
All for now, So sweat the details. And while you're sweating the details check out prior posts on the differences between Professional Researchers and Novices.
http://forgenerations.blogspot.com/2007/09/avoiding-pitfalls-in-hiring.html
http://forgenerations.blogspot.com/2007/11/part-ii-avoiding-pitfalls-in-hiring.html
$10 or $20.00 an hour for a researcher (saying their a professional but really a novice or hobbyist) may seem like a bargain at the time, but it's what you get and don't get that can make a difference. You may end up spending much more for much less. James Clemans, ForGenerations.com
Often I see research work done by novice/beginning/hobbyist researchers that encompasses hours of time and is unsuccessful.
Many factors make up the causes: Detail matters!
1. Failure to document research adequately.
a. Many people use existing published information on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Genealogy.com, Genforum.com and others without documenting or verifying the information. Much of this published information is undocumented. Some of it even has disclaimers, stating you need to document and verify it. Major blunder.
ex. Years ago I posted some personal family research on Genealogy.com and Ancestry.com. Later I learned that each charged people to get my information and didn't pay anything to me for it. Not only did people copy the information but they deleted notes that identified information only as proposed or requiring further research. They also failed to identify where it came from. (Sources) I was following up on this proposed information and came on several people posting on it. After hours, weeks, months and in some cases years, I found my researched information utilized by many others. So and so got it from so and so and they got it from so and so and eventually this person got it from me, James Clemans postings. What frustration and agravation? My number one question became: What do you have as sources to document that information on a particular, person, and event. I.E. Ebenezer Clemons as the son of Philip Clemons. If the answer was none, (Which it unfortunately always was) I moved on. So while undocumented information can give clues it can also be a dead end and cause hours of wasted correspondence. On the other hand it can sometimes ...... be fruitful so remember to ask about sources and documentation always.
B. Some people do one basic census lookup and assume the information is correct.
Correctness of information on censuses varies depending on who the enumerator spoke to. (which is not listed. )
Or the enumerators understanding of language, spelling, and own education.
Places can be wrong, ages off, assumptions could have been made on step children coming from their current mother, etc. Searching multiple censuses will give a more clear picture but cannot replace the value of primary source documents like birth, marriage, death, burial, military, church, etc. Error in the Sex - Male or Female or son or daughter are common. Sometimes relatives are listed as servants or borders.
2. Failure to cite research sources properly.
a. It was common years ago for people to record names and dates on bible records but not locations or relationships. Searching other records in tandem can turn up many mistakes.
Many books identify names and dates but no sources other than to say Family records, or Lists a long list of sources for the book but not the individual information. Checking other available records often identify descrepancies.
b. Some have listed a source at the bottom of a family group sheet but not identified with event or individual it is associated with. Always identify the event and individual to whom the source is referring.
c. Some abbreviate or partially identify only 1850 Census or 1850 Ohio Census under the father's notes. This saves time initially but it may cost more time later if further information or reference is necessary. This incomplete citing also makes it unclear to determine if it just applied to the father, mother, or which children. Noting the source on each individual is preferrable, and saves time now and in the future if questions arise. Ex. 1850 U.S. Census, Toledo, Lucas, Ohio, ED 123, Page 8, Folio 10 is more appropriate.
d. It is sometimes useful on key ancestral connections to extract all the information from primary or secondary sources and put it as notes in genealogy software programs on the individual and event. Review of such may identify the person living next door was really a relative or person living with them, or attending the wedding, or baptism.
e. Frequently variations in name are not cited accurately or with each source. Doing this properly initially can save a tremendous amount of time for researchers later. ex. Annet, Annetta, Annette, Ann, Mary A., Mary Annetta. and which document said what.
3. Failure to fully identify places correctly.
a. Names of town can change, counties and boundaries change, languages documents are in can change. People can live in the same place but the boundaries keep changing meaning the locations for records change also. ex. Bitter Creek becomes Delta, or Paris is in a county in Idaho, then later in Utah, then later back in Idaho, then changed to another name and later another town by the name of Paris was started in Idaho that is totally unrelated to the first. Another example is a client has ancestor born in Posen, Germany. Well, Posen is both a town and province. They paid a researcher to look in Posen town and after two sessions of research wasted quit researching for 10 years. We recommended the need to verify the town, found more on the siblings and other relatives in New York and located the family properly in Posen Province (also Poznan, Poland) and other names and extended the ancestry another 10 generations eventually.
4. Failure to incorrectly assume name changes.
Had a client with surname Johnson, family thought it later changed to Johnston. It severly lacked any documentation and sources. Family searching for a Peter Johnson and found a Peter Johnston in nearby town. Pursued that line and Cyrus Johnston famous military instead of correct Robert Seymour Johnson, Peter's father. Careful checking revealed middle name of Peter Harvey Johnson vs Peter Henry Johnston so details matter.
5. Failure to research spouses and siblings (Naming Patterns)
a. Often people want to extend the ancestry - extend, extend, extend. But they hit brick walls because their ancestor doesn't have a linking document to the next ancestor. So they keep looking for documents to link their ancestor.
b. Research of siblings can often lead to success. They may have the family bible, or had parents living with them, or dying with them, or buried next to them, or selling them land, or moving with them. ex. Allen research, Eliza Allen, sister of ancestral Mary Cecelia Allen. By researching her we found a mother Mrs. Mary Allen, living with Eliza and her husband, Henry O'Hagan. Also Mary's brother John Flood. This contradicted the marriage of Mary Cecilia Allen saying her mother was Mary Cornielson. Further research from this clue identified Mary Cecilia Allen's father had Eliza, another son James (who appears to have died young) and then Mary Cecilia and then Mary Cornielson/Allen died. James remarried Mary Flood who was living next door.
While researching Eliza we located her also with other siblings, one who was married into the Meade Family. Several Meade biographies identified several siblings marrying, and Allen ancestry going back into Ireland and exact town locations, a rare find for Ireland ancestry and a necessary one. The result full families documented, extensions of research on both Mary Cecilia Allen's mother and father's lines and especially extensions on Allen line. So years of going no where by the family were solved in one research project by researching siblings.
c. Research of spouses - frequently we see people take census information as fact. This child with that mother and parents as listed. They fail to factor in deaths of spouses. One such case involved Joseph Nichols. Research had stalled until spouses were researched. Death of second wife and her family revealed children by a prior wife, thus giving proper naming patterns for further research and resulting in line extensions on both first wife, second wife, and husband lines plus all children of each wife grouped properly.
6. Failure to understand naming patterns:
a. Naming patterns are first son named after paternal grandfather, second son after maternal grandfather, third son after father and fourth son after uncles on paternal or maternal side, the same pattern for girls. While not always followed or followed exactly, the numbers of this pattern being used are frequent. So if you research the spouse you then know names that don't come up on her side that maybe from the main surname. Thus is redefines the names and patterns to look for. So don't forget to research the spouses family.
b. Scandanavian, Welsh and other country or ethnic naming patterns. i.e. Patronymics.
A big word for countries and nationalities that didn't use surnames like we do today. John Williams names his son William and he becomes William Johnson and his sister Anna becomes Anna Johnsdatter/Johnsdotter. Understanding this can correct many common novice research mistakes. Also Native American/Indian and so other cultures only used first names and were matriarchial orders so names are also misleading and follow patterns. Don't assume because your ancestor was Ole Olson that he's related to Other Olson's in Norway or Denmark as their may be no relation whatsoever.
All for now, So sweat the details. And while you're sweating the details check out prior posts on the differences between Professional Researchers and Novices.
http://forgenerations.blogspot.com/2007/09/avoiding-pitfalls-in-hiring.html
http://forgenerations.blogspot.com/2007/11/part-ii-avoiding-pitfalls-in-hiring.html
$10 or $20.00 an hour for a researcher (saying their a professional but really a novice or hobbyist) may seem like a bargain at the time, but it's what you get and don't get that can make a difference. You may end up spending much more for much less. James Clemans, ForGenerations.com
Friday, January 25, 2008
Temple Submissions
Many people doing temple work do not understand the process. The most important part is first doing thorough research to document individuals and their marriages and children with full names, dates, and correct places. The more this is done the less duplication will exist.
Next people have to understand names and research to check already completed work to avoid redoing work that is already done. Just using temple ready does not do this. Nor using temple update. Currently individual online International Genealogical Index (IGI) lookups are necessary, and/or using PAF Insight or other programs to assist. This doesn't completely solve the problem but also reduces duplicates.
A combination of all these plus analyzing properly individuals will help you determine if someones temple work has been done. As mentioned before, if the name isn't slightly right, or the date is wrong, or the place is wrong, the ordinance was still done and does not need to be repeated.
Another part of the process -
When done through temple ready the work has only been submitted. Once this file is processed at the temple ordinances will appear online as being cleared. If you are not printing the cards and doing the ordinances yourself but just submitting to the temple be prepared for ordinances taking years to complete.
Baptisms may be done more rapidly but endowments submitted for the temple to do can take years. Sealings even longer.
So next time you think about submitting names to the temple, you may want to rethink and have your family do them, otherwise they may still be waiting for someone to do them.
From the inside - James.
Next people have to understand names and research to check already completed work to avoid redoing work that is already done. Just using temple ready does not do this. Nor using temple update. Currently individual online International Genealogical Index (IGI) lookups are necessary, and/or using PAF Insight or other programs to assist. This doesn't completely solve the problem but also reduces duplicates.
A combination of all these plus analyzing properly individuals will help you determine if someones temple work has been done. As mentioned before, if the name isn't slightly right, or the date is wrong, or the place is wrong, the ordinance was still done and does not need to be repeated.
Another part of the process -
When done through temple ready the work has only been submitted. Once this file is processed at the temple ordinances will appear online as being cleared. If you are not printing the cards and doing the ordinances yourself but just submitting to the temple be prepared for ordinances taking years to complete.
Baptisms may be done more rapidly but endowments submitted for the temple to do can take years. Sealings even longer.
So next time you think about submitting names to the temple, you may want to rethink and have your family do them, otherwise they may still be waiting for someone to do them.
From the inside - James.
LDS Church - Ancestry.com
In case you missed it, the LDS Church in early 2007 made the determination not to continue paying large sums of money for Ancestry.com database access in their libraries.
They moved to a program of partnering with libraries worldwide and are in the process of making more available in their libraries, family history centers, and on their site.
Since they had lost access to all the digitized census images and indexes of Ancestry.com they moved agressively to mobilizing an army of volunteers to index the censuses on their own. This is the Family Search Labs projects.
More and more records including censuses are coming online.
Now in the last month, an agreement with Ancestry.com for the top 13 regionals centers and the main library with Ancestry.com to use the records, but no current committment for roughly 4,000 other centers.
Smells like Ancestry.com realized they were missing out on not just some money from the Church but all the referrals from people who use it in the libraries then buy it themselves. For the church its a stopgap that helps at least some while they do without and create their own.
Stay tuned for future agreements if they really happen.
From the inside - James.
They moved to a program of partnering with libraries worldwide and are in the process of making more available in their libraries, family history centers, and on their site.
Since they had lost access to all the digitized census images and indexes of Ancestry.com they moved agressively to mobilizing an army of volunteers to index the censuses on their own. This is the Family Search Labs projects.
More and more records including censuses are coming online.
Now in the last month, an agreement with Ancestry.com for the top 13 regionals centers and the main library with Ancestry.com to use the records, but no current committment for roughly 4,000 other centers.
Smells like Ancestry.com realized they were missing out on not just some money from the Church but all the referrals from people who use it in the libraries then buy it themselves. For the church its a stopgap that helps at least some while they do without and create their own.
Stay tuned for future agreements if they really happen.
From the inside - James.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Part II. Avoiding pitfalls in hiring a professional Family History Research Company or Researcher
Part II. What about A Genealogy & Family History Research Company versus a researcher?
There are advantages and disadvantages to an individual researcher versus a research company. The major differences are in the scope, number, and quality of services provided. Most people underestimate the amount of work and the number of services that can and should be part of research.
As identified in Part I, much depends on the specific research company or researcher. The same would hold true for a doctor, dentist, or lawyer by himself versus a company or firm without staff. How many of the other services or the quality of services you want may determine whether you go with an individual or company. An individual may or may not do many things well. Since most research involves multiple tasks this factor alone may make a company more feasible. If you have a limited task requirement, and are willing to do more of the work yourself; an individual researcher might work for you. (ex. You want research done in England, 1800-1900 time period, already have all your information organized and possibly computerized, understand the time period documents, sources, and can read them, and are willing to do all but researching of books, films, etc.)
Questions to ask:
How much do I know about research, genealogy programs, data entry. If little, a company is better. The more you can do and know; the more an individual for a specific research need (location, time period) may work.
Pros & Cons of an individual researcher versus a Research Company -
Services Provided or needed
Understanding each of these services and the pros and cons of an individual versus a company are critical.
Marketing:
Website, handouts, samples, education
Note: As a general rule, many individual researchers don't have a website, some don't even have a web page. Be prepared, many individuals do not answer calls, emails or letters, or return them promptly, unless they know you're ready to order or aren't busy. The more you require the less they will like to do for you unless you handle large budgets. Many individuals do not have samples and the quality of research reporting varies greatly. Remember they are researchers not marketers or educators. They may not take the time to answer your questions in depth or know how to explain things at a level other than their own. Pro - Company, Con- Individual
Sales:
Order forms, check lists, proposals
Since they are individual researchers they may not have forms, just type a few words on a paper or you tell them and they go do it. The problem is that many are not good note takers and may not complete all your requests. Pro - Company, Con- Individual
Account Management:
Calls - follow-up on items they need, items you need or receive, etc. Availability and timeliness in making and receiving calls.
Visits - pickup, drop-offs, availability and timeliness.
Education - what your getting and why, terms - patronymics, diatrics, naming patterns, geography, languages, boundaries, record types, categories, availability, etc. Availability and Capability.
Pro - Company, Con - Individual
Clerical:
Sifting: organizing, sorting, and reviewing family information on a particular person, surname/lastname etc.
Data Entry: computer genealogy programs, research calendars, correspondence
Reports: research summaries, reports and calendars/logs
Copies: copies of originals from client, working and deliverable copies, other relative copies, correspondence copies
Some individual researchers do not have computer skills or are good at it. Capabilities and Quality control measures. Pro - Company, Con - Individual.
Accounting:
Invoicing
Statements
Collections
Many may only send a note or email. Few have forms and standard processes or reminders. Most do not have programs or payment plans. Capabilities.
Pro - Company, Con - Individual
Research:
Initial review, preliminary research for proposal
Verification Research
Original Research
Heir/descendant research
Summaries
Reports
Research Calendars/Logs
Documents
The quality of reports, calendars/logs, and deliverables will usually be better with a Company. An individual may be better with time frames for delivery or lower cost if they are not doing any clerical. An individual will not have peer review, brainstorming with others, quality control measures, discussion of research methods as they might in a company. Capability and Quality. Pro - Company, Con - Individual
Deliverables:
Quality of what I receive - understandable, organized.
An individual will not usually be concerned with anyone other than themselves understanding what they are providing while a company may have several staff reviewing work and explaining reports to clients. Pro - Company, Con - Individual
While additional categories and subcategories of these services could be listed and explored in most cases a Professional Research Company will provide more of these services that fit the needs of most clients. Individual needs for services may very and in some limited cases an individual may meet those needs better.
Part I of Avoiding Pitfalls, has a Tips and Checklist that should also be consulted when reviewing an individual researcher or research company.
For further discussion and analysis we recommend consulting the professionals at: ForGenerations - 801-947-1897 or 877-400-4554.
There are advantages and disadvantages to an individual researcher versus a research company. The major differences are in the scope, number, and quality of services provided. Most people underestimate the amount of work and the number of services that can and should be part of research.
As identified in Part I, much depends on the specific research company or researcher. The same would hold true for a doctor, dentist, or lawyer by himself versus a company or firm without staff. How many of the other services or the quality of services you want may determine whether you go with an individual or company. An individual may or may not do many things well. Since most research involves multiple tasks this factor alone may make a company more feasible. If you have a limited task requirement, and are willing to do more of the work yourself; an individual researcher might work for you. (ex. You want research done in England, 1800-1900 time period, already have all your information organized and possibly computerized, understand the time period documents, sources, and can read them, and are willing to do all but researching of books, films, etc.)
Questions to ask:
How much do I know about research, genealogy programs, data entry. If little, a company is better. The more you can do and know; the more an individual for a specific research need (location, time period) may work.
Pros & Cons of an individual researcher versus a Research Company -
Services Provided or needed
Understanding each of these services and the pros and cons of an individual versus a company are critical.
Marketing:
Website, handouts, samples, education
Note: As a general rule, many individual researchers don't have a website, some don't even have a web page. Be prepared, many individuals do not answer calls, emails or letters, or return them promptly, unless they know you're ready to order or aren't busy. The more you require the less they will like to do for you unless you handle large budgets. Many individuals do not have samples and the quality of research reporting varies greatly. Remember they are researchers not marketers or educators. They may not take the time to answer your questions in depth or know how to explain things at a level other than their own. Pro - Company, Con- Individual
Sales:
Order forms, check lists, proposals
Since they are individual researchers they may not have forms, just type a few words on a paper or you tell them and they go do it. The problem is that many are not good note takers and may not complete all your requests. Pro - Company, Con- Individual
Account Management:
Calls - follow-up on items they need, items you need or receive, etc. Availability and timeliness in making and receiving calls.
Visits - pickup, drop-offs, availability and timeliness.
Education - what your getting and why, terms - patronymics, diatrics, naming patterns, geography, languages, boundaries, record types, categories, availability, etc. Availability and Capability.
Pro - Company, Con - Individual
Clerical:
Sifting: organizing, sorting, and reviewing family information on a particular person, surname/lastname etc.
Data Entry: computer genealogy programs, research calendars, correspondence
Reports: research summaries, reports and calendars/logs
Copies: copies of originals from client, working and deliverable copies, other relative copies, correspondence copies
Some individual researchers do not have computer skills or are good at it. Capabilities and Quality control measures. Pro - Company, Con - Individual.
Accounting:
Invoicing
Statements
Collections
Many may only send a note or email. Few have forms and standard processes or reminders. Most do not have programs or payment plans. Capabilities.
Pro - Company, Con - Individual
Research:
Initial review, preliminary research for proposal
Verification Research
Original Research
Heir/descendant research
Summaries
Reports
Research Calendars/Logs
Documents
The quality of reports, calendars/logs, and deliverables will usually be better with a Company. An individual may be better with time frames for delivery or lower cost if they are not doing any clerical. An individual will not have peer review, brainstorming with others, quality control measures, discussion of research methods as they might in a company. Capability and Quality. Pro - Company, Con - Individual
Deliverables:
Quality of what I receive - understandable, organized.
An individual will not usually be concerned with anyone other than themselves understanding what they are providing while a company may have several staff reviewing work and explaining reports to clients. Pro - Company, Con - Individual
While additional categories and subcategories of these services could be listed and explored in most cases a Professional Research Company will provide more of these services that fit the needs of most clients. Individual needs for services may very and in some limited cases an individual may meet those needs better.
Part I of Avoiding Pitfalls, has a Tips and Checklist that should also be consulted when reviewing an individual researcher or research company.
For further discussion and analysis we recommend consulting the professionals at: ForGenerations - 801-947-1897 or 877-400-4554.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Computer innovations & changes at Family History Library
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah continues to grow and improve. Movement of administrative offices out of the library to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the moving of more books back into the library were a start. Here's just a few other things you may not be aware of if you haven't visited in a while.
Digital copiers that copy images from films to CD-ROMS to save in copy charges and provide other advantages in publishing and recording information.
Print cards to allow fast printing from your workstation rather than having to go to the copy center.
Specialized printing from films to letter size, legal size or 11 x 17 size printouts.
Computer workstation monitors changing from CRT Monitors to Flat Screen and LCD or Plasma monitors for larger text, and more workspace for users.
USB drive support for computer users to upload and download files rather than use floppy drives or CD-ROM's.
Consolidation of printers from individual workstations to larger and better quality print stations.
PAF genealogy software loaded on workstations to allow quick loading of files.
Network card and cable connections for users bringing their own workstations or laptop computers to the Library. This has led to laptop or luggable computers that can now access the library printers and network without cable connections. Just let the computer use its internal card to find the network and synch up.
Innovations are constantly taking place. Online catalog, Temple Ready software. Access to internet and other subscription databases from the library. Many favorites and links to help in research in all areas of the work including online research guides. And almost everything for free.
The wonders just keep happening.
If you have a computer you can even volunteer time to help in transcribing records to link indexes to images of various databases.
If you haven't visited in a while, take a tour, you'll be surprised at the innovations that continue to come forth.
Thanks to all who contribute their time for the indexing, to those who donate for computers, money, time and more to these and other projects for the benefit of all. A big round of applause to all those who seldom get any credit or appreciation for their donations.
All for now from the inside, James.
Digital copiers that copy images from films to CD-ROMS to save in copy charges and provide other advantages in publishing and recording information.
Print cards to allow fast printing from your workstation rather than having to go to the copy center.
Specialized printing from films to letter size, legal size or 11 x 17 size printouts.
Computer workstation monitors changing from CRT Monitors to Flat Screen and LCD or Plasma monitors for larger text, and more workspace for users.
USB drive support for computer users to upload and download files rather than use floppy drives or CD-ROM's.
Consolidation of printers from individual workstations to larger and better quality print stations.
PAF genealogy software loaded on workstations to allow quick loading of files.
Network card and cable connections for users bringing their own workstations or laptop computers to the Library. This has led to laptop or luggable computers that can now access the library printers and network without cable connections. Just let the computer use its internal card to find the network and synch up.
Innovations are constantly taking place. Online catalog, Temple Ready software. Access to internet and other subscription databases from the library. Many favorites and links to help in research in all areas of the work including online research guides. And almost everything for free.
The wonders just keep happening.
If you have a computer you can even volunteer time to help in transcribing records to link indexes to images of various databases.
If you haven't visited in a while, take a tour, you'll be surprised at the innovations that continue to come forth.
Thanks to all who contribute their time for the indexing, to those who donate for computers, money, time and more to these and other projects for the benefit of all. A big round of applause to all those who seldom get any credit or appreciation for their donations.
All for now from the inside, James.
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