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.
Friday, November 30, 2007
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.
Temple Names without real research
It seems every few weeks I hear about someone having hundreds if not thousands of temple names submitted or cleared. Worst of all when no real research was done, they just pulled information from Ancestral File (AF) or Pedigree Resource File (PRF) or someones online posts or other databases. (WorldTree, One World Tree, etc.) (See other posts on these)
While submitters using Temple Ready software are counseled to check the online International Genealogical Index (IGI) for more recently submitted work, many still neglect this process, particularly research companies.
Some do limited checking of the online IGI by using Ohana Softwares PAF Insight to do it for them. Some run it through once or a few times. What they fail to realize is that individual lookups still need to be done with various spellings not caught or handled properly by PAF Insight.
An example we saw recently involved 539 name cards provided to a client by another research company. Utilizing PAF Insight on these names we located numerous duplicates or already completed work identifying several hundred of the individuals on the cards as already having had work submitted and completed. Additional individual lookups with variations in spelling and forms of given names and surnames resulted in only 75 names on cards not having been already completed. So over 80% had already been done.
The question might be asked why individuals don't check them more thoroughly. Many answers to this question can be suggested. Ignoring the need to check online IGI. No knowledge of PAF Insight or other computer software checking programs. A lack of understanding of Temple Ready, Temple Update, and PAF Insights limitations. Or in some instances a deliberate avoidance of these extra procedures to save time, money, and have inflated results. To those who neglect these procedures knowingly we say shame. Multiple peoples time and effort go into seeing that staffing and this work is done. Some have estimated as much as 17 hours per submitted name. With that in mind doesn't it make sense to work harder to check them and reduce the numbers to only those which haven't been submitted and really should be.
If you're having a hard time because someone doesn't have the same spelling on the last name, or a different abbreviation or spelling on the given name, or the same birth but a different location, get over it. It's the same person. Record it properly in your records and genealogy or family history software, record that it's already done and move on.
We've seen instances of an individual having their work done 25-50 times. Why?, Why? Why?. If they have the same spouse, same children, or same parents, chances are its the same person. Familiarity with name variations will clear a few more duplicates. (ex. Johannes, Johann, Johan, John, Hans, Jan.) Depending on the original birth place and language all could refer to the same individual. Unfortunately many submit names for temple work from Census records without making an effort to located birth, death, burial, or marriage records for the same individuals. Thorough research takes time. Seldom are census records the only records available.
So do everyone a favor, spend more time in checking for duplicates. Individual lookups, learning name variations, spelling variations, nicknames (ex. Mary, Polly, Nancy) and many more exist. Don't resubmit just because the date isn't exact, or the exact location, if its the same person slight variations don't require the work to be resubmitted.
And thanks for doing it right to all those who've learned this already.
That's all for now from the inside, James.
While submitters using Temple Ready software are counseled to check the online International Genealogical Index (IGI) for more recently submitted work, many still neglect this process, particularly research companies.
Some do limited checking of the online IGI by using Ohana Softwares PAF Insight to do it for them. Some run it through once or a few times. What they fail to realize is that individual lookups still need to be done with various spellings not caught or handled properly by PAF Insight.
An example we saw recently involved 539 name cards provided to a client by another research company. Utilizing PAF Insight on these names we located numerous duplicates or already completed work identifying several hundred of the individuals on the cards as already having had work submitted and completed. Additional individual lookups with variations in spelling and forms of given names and surnames resulted in only 75 names on cards not having been already completed. So over 80% had already been done.
The question might be asked why individuals don't check them more thoroughly. Many answers to this question can be suggested. Ignoring the need to check online IGI. No knowledge of PAF Insight or other computer software checking programs. A lack of understanding of Temple Ready, Temple Update, and PAF Insights limitations. Or in some instances a deliberate avoidance of these extra procedures to save time, money, and have inflated results. To those who neglect these procedures knowingly we say shame. Multiple peoples time and effort go into seeing that staffing and this work is done. Some have estimated as much as 17 hours per submitted name. With that in mind doesn't it make sense to work harder to check them and reduce the numbers to only those which haven't been submitted and really should be.
If you're having a hard time because someone doesn't have the same spelling on the last name, or a different abbreviation or spelling on the given name, or the same birth but a different location, get over it. It's the same person. Record it properly in your records and genealogy or family history software, record that it's already done and move on.
We've seen instances of an individual having their work done 25-50 times. Why?, Why? Why?. If they have the same spouse, same children, or same parents, chances are its the same person. Familiarity with name variations will clear a few more duplicates. (ex. Johannes, Johann, Johan, John, Hans, Jan.) Depending on the original birth place and language all could refer to the same individual. Unfortunately many submit names for temple work from Census records without making an effort to located birth, death, burial, or marriage records for the same individuals. Thorough research takes time. Seldom are census records the only records available.
So do everyone a favor, spend more time in checking for duplicates. Individual lookups, learning name variations, spelling variations, nicknames (ex. Mary, Polly, Nancy) and many more exist. Don't resubmit just because the date isn't exact, or the exact location, if its the same person slight variations don't require the work to be resubmitted.
And thanks for doing it right to all those who've learned this already.
That's all for now from the inside, James.
Indexing of US Censuses
Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and their Family History Library and Family History Centers parted ways with Ancestry.com and licensing their databases particularly with the US Censuses.
I was sitting in a meeting and momentarily shocked when I heard numerous people referring to how wonderful it will be to have the U.S. Census images indexed. I took a few moments to inform them that Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others already had the scanned images and most of the indexes for years now.
It never ceases to amaze me how uninformed people are. I guess I just need to keep learning it and remember that most people know far less than we give them credit for when referring to genealogy and family history. Particularly new developments.
When I shifted from research into sales, account management and client support for research clients it was because I saw so many researchers talk over the clients heads, become offended by their lack of knowledge and unwilling or irritated to talk down to their level. It reminded me that we all need a doze of tolerance, me included, and that we are all on different levels. Some beginners, some amateurs, some novices, some intermediate, some advanced researchers. The desparity between each is also unnerving. See the post on research companies, you may be surprised at the differences.
All researchers and research companies are not created equal so it pays to do your homework.
All for now from the inside, James.
I was sitting in a meeting and momentarily shocked when I heard numerous people referring to how wonderful it will be to have the U.S. Census images indexed. I took a few moments to inform them that Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest and others already had the scanned images and most of the indexes for years now.
It never ceases to amaze me how uninformed people are. I guess I just need to keep learning it and remember that most people know far less than we give them credit for when referring to genealogy and family history. Particularly new developments.
When I shifted from research into sales, account management and client support for research clients it was because I saw so many researchers talk over the clients heads, become offended by their lack of knowledge and unwilling or irritated to talk down to their level. It reminded me that we all need a doze of tolerance, me included, and that we are all on different levels. Some beginners, some amateurs, some novices, some intermediate, some advanced researchers. The desparity between each is also unnerving. See the post on research companies, you may be surprised at the differences.
All researchers and research companies are not created equal so it pays to do your homework.
All for now from the inside, James.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Privacy Laws affecting Research work
Unfortunately, we live in an age of identity theft and computer fraud. Fake identification for illegal aliens and criminals and other types of identity theft has caused tighter laws on information.
These shifting laws create great hardships for document repositories/archives in that they are having to pull books or microfilms or microfiche at times from the shelves that make this published information no longer available to researchers. This can vary from country to country and state to state and even within states.
Finding a proper balancing act will continue to be a problem. We urge caution in finding proper limits.
While their are many examples for and against here's one to illustrate:
A family wishes to research their family history on the great-grandmother's ancestry. Their great-grandmother is deceased and died in 1904. She died just after child birth. Most civil records published in Wyoming began recordings in 1906. The father in addition to the loss of his wife and newborn child had several other small children to care for. A major work accident crippled him resulting in his being committed to hospital and insane asylum. The youngest daughter was adopted. This adopted daughter is now deceased. All of the other children are deceased as well as the great-grandfather and have nothing in their records to help.
The adoption was thought to possibly have more information. Wyoming State law requires that only grandparents, parents or guardian of the child can get the records. Hoping the records would tell more about the mother the court was petitioned as none of those are living. The Court said that although we were not direct descendants of the adopted daughter we could have the state supplied confidential intermediary review the records for information on the mother or other helpful information since our clients were direct descendants of the mother. Again they said they would grant for the records to be searched then said they would have a confidential intermediary contact us. Without notice they quickly changed their mind and correspondence revealed the change of heart. The Judge rather than helping the family did not want to set a precedent and said since the law is still on the books that the state legislature would have to be petitioned to change the law.
The question should be who is harmed by providing the information if any. Other examples can go the other way. We don't think their is an easy catch all solution but closing off all information is also not an answer. And tying things up in legal fees, courts, and legislatures is also not the answer, but something needs to be done.
Laws are changed every day. We hope you'll talk to your legislatures, be aware of the laws, actively petition for law changes that make sense and protect opportunities for research that allow families to learn their heritage.
Something to consider. For us and for them, for generations. James.
These shifting laws create great hardships for document repositories/archives in that they are having to pull books or microfilms or microfiche at times from the shelves that make this published information no longer available to researchers. This can vary from country to country and state to state and even within states.
Finding a proper balancing act will continue to be a problem. We urge caution in finding proper limits.
While their are many examples for and against here's one to illustrate:
A family wishes to research their family history on the great-grandmother's ancestry. Their great-grandmother is deceased and died in 1904. She died just after child birth. Most civil records published in Wyoming began recordings in 1906. The father in addition to the loss of his wife and newborn child had several other small children to care for. A major work accident crippled him resulting in his being committed to hospital and insane asylum. The youngest daughter was adopted. This adopted daughter is now deceased. All of the other children are deceased as well as the great-grandfather and have nothing in their records to help.
The adoption was thought to possibly have more information. Wyoming State law requires that only grandparents, parents or guardian of the child can get the records. Hoping the records would tell more about the mother the court was petitioned as none of those are living. The Court said that although we were not direct descendants of the adopted daughter we could have the state supplied confidential intermediary review the records for information on the mother or other helpful information since our clients were direct descendants of the mother. Again they said they would grant for the records to be searched then said they would have a confidential intermediary contact us. Without notice they quickly changed their mind and correspondence revealed the change of heart. The Judge rather than helping the family did not want to set a precedent and said since the law is still on the books that the state legislature would have to be petitioned to change the law.
The question should be who is harmed by providing the information if any. Other examples can go the other way. We don't think their is an easy catch all solution but closing off all information is also not an answer. And tying things up in legal fees, courts, and legislatures is also not the answer, but something needs to be done.
Laws are changed every day. We hope you'll talk to your legislatures, be aware of the laws, actively petition for law changes that make sense and protect opportunities for research that allow families to learn their heritage.
Something to consider. For us and for them, for generations. James.
Documenting Genealogy - A computer problem
Documenting Genealogy in any day and age is a problem. All to frequently information is undocumented. Even in our profession, years ago historians and researchers did a less than stellar job of documenting. Here are a few examples you may recall:
Books written that list a large number of sources at the beginning of the book, some good documented sources but others undocumented and all lumped together at the front of the book. Then the genealogies (Pedigree charts, family group sheets with names, dates and places) are listed but the specific sources are not identified. Ugh! What a shame!
Our perhaps you've seen a family group sheet/book of remembrance sheet that lists a few sources on the bottom of the page but doesn't identify the member of the family or individual that they pertain too or the specific event (birth, baptism/christening, marriage, death, burial, etc). Ouch! If that doesn't bother you it should. Even from an education reporting standpoint.
Students are taught when doing research papers to quote their sources and footnote the specific points that pertain to them. Family history research and genealogical research is and should be done the same. Sources each for every event, birth, baptism/christening, marriage, draft, divorce, death, burial, etc. Nothing new just how it should be done correctly.
So in an age of computer technology you think we'd improve. Unfortunately not.
Take all the leading genealogy software programs (PAF, Ancestral Quest, Family Tree Maker, Legacy, Family Origins, Roots Magic, TMG, etc.) they all are flawed in the basic area of sourcing.
With many years of experience with software development companies the solution appears to be very simple. So why don't they require it for every record creation/new name entry, event date or note. Most say it would make the product to difficult for people to use or they wouldn't do anything if they had to. Is that a good enough answer? Don't do it because people won't buy my program if I force them to enter sources. In a market driven society that makes sense.
Solution - So why not make it a setup option. For those who are serious about sourcing it would solve the problem and for those who don't care about sources they would go on as they have.
A Dream you say - Hopefully not - Here's an idea.
How could software developers solve this -
When you first enter the genealogy program you create/enter your name or select from a list of users already entered. The program picks this up and takes the current computer date and time. (ex. Personal knowledge of James Clemans, 10/6/07 8 a.m. ) At least that way anyone looking at the source knows who entered it. If it came from someone else and they didn't source anything, you would put them as the default source on everything until you have something better. At least you'd knew where it started. A list of default sources or categories are provided in most software and are customizable so it wouldn't take much. Can this problem be solved? We hope so, we plead for it to be so. If you work for a genealogy software company please make it so.
So lets all ask and be positive and maybe, just maybe, we'll get what we ask for. Even though it may make us work a little more, it will be worth it, now and later.
For Generations to come, James.
Books written that list a large number of sources at the beginning of the book, some good documented sources but others undocumented and all lumped together at the front of the book. Then the genealogies (Pedigree charts, family group sheets with names, dates and places) are listed but the specific sources are not identified. Ugh! What a shame!
Our perhaps you've seen a family group sheet/book of remembrance sheet that lists a few sources on the bottom of the page but doesn't identify the member of the family or individual that they pertain too or the specific event (birth, baptism/christening, marriage, death, burial, etc). Ouch! If that doesn't bother you it should. Even from an education reporting standpoint.
Students are taught when doing research papers to quote their sources and footnote the specific points that pertain to them. Family history research and genealogical research is and should be done the same. Sources each for every event, birth, baptism/christening, marriage, draft, divorce, death, burial, etc. Nothing new just how it should be done correctly.
So in an age of computer technology you think we'd improve. Unfortunately not.
Take all the leading genealogy software programs (PAF, Ancestral Quest, Family Tree Maker, Legacy, Family Origins, Roots Magic, TMG, etc.) they all are flawed in the basic area of sourcing.
With many years of experience with software development companies the solution appears to be very simple. So why don't they require it for every record creation/new name entry, event date or note. Most say it would make the product to difficult for people to use or they wouldn't do anything if they had to. Is that a good enough answer? Don't do it because people won't buy my program if I force them to enter sources. In a market driven society that makes sense.
Solution - So why not make it a setup option. For those who are serious about sourcing it would solve the problem and for those who don't care about sources they would go on as they have.
A Dream you say - Hopefully not - Here's an idea.
How could software developers solve this -
When you first enter the genealogy program you create/enter your name or select from a list of users already entered. The program picks this up and takes the current computer date and time. (ex. Personal knowledge of James Clemans, 10/6/07 8 a.m. ) At least that way anyone looking at the source knows who entered it. If it came from someone else and they didn't source anything, you would put them as the default source on everything until you have something better. At least you'd knew where it started. A list of default sources or categories are provided in most software and are customizable so it wouldn't take much. Can this problem be solved? We hope so, we plead for it to be so. If you work for a genealogy software company please make it so.
So lets all ask and be positive and maybe, just maybe, we'll get what we ask for. Even though it may make us work a little more, it will be worth it, now and later.
For Generations to come, James.
Online Genealogy - Mixed Reviews
Online Genealogy -
While more and more records are being entered into computers by scanning and data entry the fact remains that this amounts to an extremely small amount of filmed records or books from published sources.
A year or two ago I had a novice genealogist suggest that they were doing all their research online using online databases. They were looking up information submitted by individuals to various internet sites (Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, Genforum, Rootsweb.com, Familysearch.com) primarily and using it for all their information.
One of the starting points was Ancestral File (AF) which contains user submitted, undocumented, and unverified information. (See articles concerning AF issues) Next they had message posts from various people in family trees, forums, message boards. The one major flaw in much of this was that it was undocumented information.
Since many online database services have digital images of most Censues 1800-1930 for subscription fees (HeritageQuest, Ancestry, Newsbank, Godfrey, etc) this was a novices' idea of documentation. Undocumented posts and information and census records. A conclusion that horrifies and frustrates any research minded individual let alone a professional researcher. You need to remember that Census enumerations are secondary records. AF and online posts are not sources. They are not documentation unless written by someone who attended the event (birth, baptism/christening, marriage, death, burial, funeral, etc.). So until many more of these records are available online research will remain a part of research but not the complete answer.
Does that mean don't use them. - No. Use what you can but remember the difference between undocumented and documented information and real vital record, civil or church source records and documents. More will continue to be added and make online work more beneficial but for now, don't forget to use the books and films that are published in addition to the online. You'll save yourself and others a lot of headaches by properly documenting.
More and more online services are constantly being added and more partnerships and alliances mean more scanning of images done sooner but the volume of work to be done versus what is currently available is staggering. Just walk through any of the major repositories in the country and ask how much is digitized/scanned images, computer entered and indexed and online.
The answers may surprise you. Til next time, James.
While more and more records are being entered into computers by scanning and data entry the fact remains that this amounts to an extremely small amount of filmed records or books from published sources.
A year or two ago I had a novice genealogist suggest that they were doing all their research online using online databases. They were looking up information submitted by individuals to various internet sites (Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, Genforum, Rootsweb.com, Familysearch.com) primarily and using it for all their information.
One of the starting points was Ancestral File (AF) which contains user submitted, undocumented, and unverified information. (See articles concerning AF issues) Next they had message posts from various people in family trees, forums, message boards. The one major flaw in much of this was that it was undocumented information.
Since many online database services have digital images of most Censues 1800-1930 for subscription fees (HeritageQuest, Ancestry, Newsbank, Godfrey, etc) this was a novices' idea of documentation. Undocumented posts and information and census records. A conclusion that horrifies and frustrates any research minded individual let alone a professional researcher. You need to remember that Census enumerations are secondary records. AF and online posts are not sources. They are not documentation unless written by someone who attended the event (birth, baptism/christening, marriage, death, burial, funeral, etc.). So until many more of these records are available online research will remain a part of research but not the complete answer.
Does that mean don't use them. - No. Use what you can but remember the difference between undocumented and documented information and real vital record, civil or church source records and documents. More will continue to be added and make online work more beneficial but for now, don't forget to use the books and films that are published in addition to the online. You'll save yourself and others a lot of headaches by properly documenting.
More and more online services are constantly being added and more partnerships and alliances mean more scanning of images done sooner but the volume of work to be done versus what is currently available is staggering. Just walk through any of the major repositories in the country and ask how much is digitized/scanned images, computer entered and indexed and online.
The answers may surprise you. Til next time, James.
Myth - My Genealogy is all done
My Genealogy is all done -
Everytime I hear someone tell me their genealogy is all done, I just smile. After 35 years involvement in family history and genealogical research I have yet to meet anyone with it all done. Other research professionals smile too.
Why - What does all done mean? An individual surname line.? Four (4) generations? Back to immigrant ancestor? As much as can be done because records are not currently available (end of line)?
Does all done mean just an ancestral surname line like Clemans. Well unless you link into royalty and have the bible or other canonized sources you probably are lucky if you can go back to the early 1600's.
Some people think doing four (4) generations means its all done. Since all members of the LDS Church are encouraged to work in family history, some members in the LDS Church have that misconception. Many years ago people were encouraged to start by doing their four generations. You - Your parents, Your Grandparents, Your Great-Grandparents (That's four generations or possibly one more from you) That's at least a start.
Some people just say it's all done because they don't know. Perhaps its time to start. Start asking relatives to see what's been done and look at it. If your not sure consult a professional to review it and propose what can be done.
So the next time someone tells you it's all done - Think again and investigate. The answers may surprise you.
One last thought if you are concerned about proxy ordinance work, submission rules change(who can be sealed, when they can be submitted/105 year cutoff, etc), availability of information changes, maybe its time to re-visit and review, you may be surprised what you find.
Don't forget to look at multiple wives and children of theirs, adoptions and children born out of wedlock, they are easily overlooked.
To new surprises, James.
Everytime I hear someone tell me their genealogy is all done, I just smile. After 35 years involvement in family history and genealogical research I have yet to meet anyone with it all done. Other research professionals smile too.
Why - What does all done mean? An individual surname line.? Four (4) generations? Back to immigrant ancestor? As much as can be done because records are not currently available (end of line)?
Does all done mean just an ancestral surname line like Clemans. Well unless you link into royalty and have the bible or other canonized sources you probably are lucky if you can go back to the early 1600's.
Some people think doing four (4) generations means its all done. Since all members of the LDS Church are encouraged to work in family history, some members in the LDS Church have that misconception. Many years ago people were encouraged to start by doing their four generations. You - Your parents, Your Grandparents, Your Great-Grandparents (That's four generations or possibly one more from you) That's at least a start.
Some people just say it's all done because they don't know. Perhaps its time to start. Start asking relatives to see what's been done and look at it. If your not sure consult a professional to review it and propose what can be done.
So the next time someone tells you it's all done - Think again and investigate. The answers may surprise you.
One last thought if you are concerned about proxy ordinance work, submission rules change(who can be sealed, when they can be submitted/105 year cutoff, etc), availability of information changes, maybe its time to re-visit and review, you may be surprised what you find.
Don't forget to look at multiple wives and children of theirs, adoptions and children born out of wedlock, they are easily overlooked.
To new surprises, James.
PAF Insight Flaws
While PFA Insight by Ohana Software is a good product it has its flaws.
PAF Insight is a useful tool for a variety of fixes for PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Genealogy software program. Its a combination of add ons to the free program originally created and donated to the LDS Church by author Gaylon Findlay (see Ancestral Quest/Incline Software) and other blog on this.
PAF Insight has a big user base as a software add on for checking IGI (International Genealogical Index) online database for temple ordinance information. Unfortunately it has its flaws with name variations of given and surname. While it does better on given names, soundex and spelling variations on surnames are not properly checked/matched.
Users will also find that results differ when running it more than once. Some run it six or seven times. Computers are great tools but can't do everything. So while the program has it's place and is a helpful tool, Remember to check the names individually with various spelling variations on manual lookups outside of PAF Insight. The results of finding additional information to update ordinance fields will suprise you and reduce duplications. So let's reduce duplications everyone.
And don't forget, if you are just running names through PAF Insight that you pulled from Ancestral File (AF) you are making a big mistake. Read the AF disclaimer in other articles on this blog or on all printed AF pages, and either document and verify the information before submitting it or hire a qualified professional researcher or research company that does heavy screening of names. Ask about their processes and if they don't do enough checking find a good company like ours. (shameless plug)
James, forgenerations.com
PAF Insight is a useful tool for a variety of fixes for PAF (Personal Ancestral File) Genealogy software program. Its a combination of add ons to the free program originally created and donated to the LDS Church by author Gaylon Findlay (see Ancestral Quest/Incline Software) and other blog on this.
PAF Insight has a big user base as a software add on for checking IGI (International Genealogical Index) online database for temple ordinance information. Unfortunately it has its flaws with name variations of given and surname. While it does better on given names, soundex and spelling variations on surnames are not properly checked/matched.
Users will also find that results differ when running it more than once. Some run it six or seven times. Computers are great tools but can't do everything. So while the program has it's place and is a helpful tool, Remember to check the names individually with various spelling variations on manual lookups outside of PAF Insight. The results of finding additional information to update ordinance fields will suprise you and reduce duplications. So let's reduce duplications everyone.
And don't forget, if you are just running names through PAF Insight that you pulled from Ancestral File (AF) you are making a big mistake. Read the AF disclaimer in other articles on this blog or on all printed AF pages, and either document and verify the information before submitting it or hire a qualified professional researcher or research company that does heavy screening of names. Ask about their processes and if they don't do enough checking find a good company like ours. (shameless plug)
James, forgenerations.com
Ancestral File Corrections
If your still submitting corrections to Ancestral File (AF) your wasting your time.
Ancestral File is a collection of submitted information by virtually anyone in the world located at familysearch.org on the web. The information hasn't been verified by anyone and is the responsibility of anyone using it to document and verify it.
The file is not receiving new updates and has not for over five (5) yes five plus years. Contrary to what some have suggested corrections are not and have not been added for years. Workers in family history centers are not always aware of this so beware.
Information from such files unless documented with sources should always be verified.
See other stories on AF on this blog.
All for now, James
forgenerations.com
Ancestral File is a collection of submitted information by virtually anyone in the world located at familysearch.org on the web. The information hasn't been verified by anyone and is the responsibility of anyone using it to document and verify it.
The file is not receiving new updates and has not for over five (5) yes five plus years. Contrary to what some have suggested corrections are not and have not been added for years. Workers in family history centers are not always aware of this so beware.
Information from such files unless documented with sources should always be verified.
See other stories on AF on this blog.
All for now, James
forgenerations.com
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Personal Ancestral File (PAF) Genealogy Program Revealed
One of the reasons I started this blog was a disservice I saw taking place for the author(s) of Personal Ancestral File (PAF) current version 5.2 which is the largest user base of millions of users the World over for a genealogical software program.
The unsung heroes of this product and the author and owners Gaylon Findlay of Incline Software and new owner The Hope Foundation had created Ancestral Quest 2.2 and provided the full source code as a donation (YES, for FREE) to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints with the product initially renamed as PAF 3.0 with the only change for this initial Windows product by the Church in changes to icons and additional description of these icons. Little was said or acknowledged by the Church about this and millions of users and church employees, members, and others in the genealogy community have mistakenly assumed the product was created by the Church.
It was not. I repeat - It was not!
Minor press coverage, a limited time referral to The Hope Foundation for manuals by the Church was soon lost in the Church publishing a smaller, less complete manual of their own. Thus more lost revenues for a struggling genealogy software company.
Promises of working together and enhancements being sold by The Hope Foundation were not fulfilled and resulted in the demise of The Hope Foundation due to lost revenue and their product now available for free from the church to all the world while they sold their product for $39.95 at the time. The media made much news along with the genealogy community for the Church's new product but little mention of its true authorship.
Many of the original members involved in the agreements written and verbal for the Church moved to other areas with new developmental staff taking over the project and software development with little knowledge of its origins. Hence more lack of acknowledgement of original authorship.
Unable to generate sufficient revenues the Hope Foundation could not fulfill its obligations to Gaylon Findlay and Incline Software/Ancestral Quest and others resulting in the product going back to its original authors. Since this donation Incline Software & Hope Foundation have parted with Gaylon and Incline reclaiming Ancestral Quest and adding additional updates and upgrades to it.
So the authors of the largest installed base of genealogy software while surviving in a lesser degree have remained in much obscurity.
Others have come to the forefront with enhancement products like PAF Pal or PAF Insight with PAF Insight author Ohana Software receiving substantial recognition and sales promotion. The same has not happened for Gaylon Findlay and Ancestral Quest even with their new product enhancements and overlays with enhancements for PAF users. I think that's a travesty of justice and shameful.
So I'm writing to set the record straight. Hopefully to give some credit where credit is due. Hopefully to help people see the Ancestral Quest product upgrades not available in PAF and the overlays. And just maybe to get someone at the Church to correct the disservice done to Ancestral Quest/Incline Software and more actively work with Incline Software as they do with PAF Insight and others.
Having worked for many years with software development companies (SSI Software/WordPerfect, Electronic Text Corporation, IPRO, Invzn, and Optisys) I know that the church probably had to have spent for many years, over a million dollars in development of a Windows program that never made it to release with their receipt of the donated program from Incline Software originators. This donated software code, an immediately releasable product, not only expedited the release but was a better product than what the Church (more mainframe software oriented at the time) had and were working on and probably saved the Church another million or more dollars in development. So hopefully something better can come for these unsung heroes at Incline Software.
Incidently few enhancements have been made over the last several years by the Church to the program. I think its not to late to correct the matter. I am not affiliated with Incline Software/Ancestral Quest other than a user of their product before and after the donation.
So I have nothing to gain. Hopefully, Incline Software and its authors will. Hopefully more than just a little recognition. Hopefully a lot more.
That's all for now from the inside. James
The unsung heroes of this product and the author and owners Gaylon Findlay of Incline Software and new owner The Hope Foundation had created Ancestral Quest 2.2 and provided the full source code as a donation (YES, for FREE) to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints with the product initially renamed as PAF 3.0 with the only change for this initial Windows product by the Church in changes to icons and additional description of these icons. Little was said or acknowledged by the Church about this and millions of users and church employees, members, and others in the genealogy community have mistakenly assumed the product was created by the Church.
It was not. I repeat - It was not!
Minor press coverage, a limited time referral to The Hope Foundation for manuals by the Church was soon lost in the Church publishing a smaller, less complete manual of their own. Thus more lost revenues for a struggling genealogy software company.
Promises of working together and enhancements being sold by The Hope Foundation were not fulfilled and resulted in the demise of The Hope Foundation due to lost revenue and their product now available for free from the church to all the world while they sold their product for $39.95 at the time. The media made much news along with the genealogy community for the Church's new product but little mention of its true authorship.
Many of the original members involved in the agreements written and verbal for the Church moved to other areas with new developmental staff taking over the project and software development with little knowledge of its origins. Hence more lack of acknowledgement of original authorship.
Unable to generate sufficient revenues the Hope Foundation could not fulfill its obligations to Gaylon Findlay and Incline Software/Ancestral Quest and others resulting in the product going back to its original authors. Since this donation Incline Software & Hope Foundation have parted with Gaylon and Incline reclaiming Ancestral Quest and adding additional updates and upgrades to it.
So the authors of the largest installed base of genealogy software while surviving in a lesser degree have remained in much obscurity.
Others have come to the forefront with enhancement products like PAF Pal or PAF Insight with PAF Insight author Ohana Software receiving substantial recognition and sales promotion. The same has not happened for Gaylon Findlay and Ancestral Quest even with their new product enhancements and overlays with enhancements for PAF users. I think that's a travesty of justice and shameful.
So I'm writing to set the record straight. Hopefully to give some credit where credit is due. Hopefully to help people see the Ancestral Quest product upgrades not available in PAF and the overlays. And just maybe to get someone at the Church to correct the disservice done to Ancestral Quest/Incline Software and more actively work with Incline Software as they do with PAF Insight and others.
Having worked for many years with software development companies (SSI Software/WordPerfect, Electronic Text Corporation, IPRO, Invzn, and Optisys) I know that the church probably had to have spent for many years, over a million dollars in development of a Windows program that never made it to release with their receipt of the donated program from Incline Software originators. This donated software code, an immediately releasable product, not only expedited the release but was a better product than what the Church (more mainframe software oriented at the time) had and were working on and probably saved the Church another million or more dollars in development. So hopefully something better can come for these unsung heroes at Incline Software.
Incidently few enhancements have been made over the last several years by the Church to the program. I think its not to late to correct the matter. I am not affiliated with Incline Software/Ancestral Quest other than a user of their product before and after the donation.
So I have nothing to gain. Hopefully, Incline Software and its authors will. Hopefully more than just a little recognition. Hopefully a lot more.
That's all for now from the inside. James
Avoiding Pitfalls in hiring a professional researcher or research company, Part I
Part I:
Looking to hire a professional researcher or research company -
They are not all the same. Here's how you can filter out non-professionals who really aren't.
Several tips and this checklist can help when looking for a professional researcher or company:
1. Do they have a website?
This may help to explain their company, policies, procedures and more. If they don't have one it tells you a little about them. They may not be computer saavy, utilizing email, internet, online databases, and fully functioning as a business. A website is not only informational but a credibility piece on the company or individual.
2. Do they have business cards?
Contact information including email, phone, fax, website and more.
2. What do they provide? (Deliverables)
Will they review your initial information and make a proposal on what they can do? Do they charge for this and if so what?
Do they have account managers that come to your home or business and bring samples?
Do they provide account numbers and project numbers for each project?
Do they take copies of originals and leave you with originals?
Do they provide email, calls, or mailed updates on progress on projects? Do they have automated tracking of projects?
Do they have tax deductible options?
Do they have corporate plans?
Do they do monthly installment payment plans and have other payment options?
Do they have any written contracts or agreements or order forms? Do you get copies?
Do you get copies of invoices or statements?
Do you get payment coupons or copies of your order forms?
What do you get when a project is delivered?
a. Research reports and/or summary reports.
Professional researchers do research reports, generally 5-10 pages for original research.
Original research being defined as research on a new person or line with no provided information or clues to start.
Verification research summaries or reports may only be a one to two page report per session listing the research objective(s), results - what was located, and recommendations for future research.
If you speak to someone and they don't have these reports or samples you can see you might want to think again about hiring them.
Research reports are used to allow the research to identify the methods, facts and conclusions, in a pattern not only for a customer but more importantly for future researchers. It along with research calendars or logs provide researchers with knowledge of what has been searched and those sources where something was found or not found. It lists the books and films looked at, what surname(s) or individuals were searched for and what was or was not found.
b. Research Calendars/Logs - These should be provided to help researchers see what has and has not been researched.
c. Documents - These are copies of documents that were found, birth, marriage or death certificates, censuses, military records, church records, cemetery records, biographies, etc.
d. Printouts - Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets on the session that was worked
e. Miscellaneous reports - Temple updates, Temple submissions, Temple Tracking.
f. Temple Submission Diskette or Cards and updating of these cards to a genealogy program
g. Entry of your information into a genealogy program - Personal Ancestral File (PAF), Legacy, Ancestral Quest, Family Tree Maker or others. All of these can output to a GEDCOM (file format) for use in any of the other programs.
h. Copies of the genealogy program files on disc after every session or project delivery.
Knowing the facts can save you and your family valuable time and money. Want to know more. Contact the professionals at: http://www.forgenerations.com/
Stay tuned for Part II:
What about A Genealogy & Family History Research Company versus a researcher?
Looking to hire a professional researcher or research company -
They are not all the same. Here's how you can filter out non-professionals who really aren't.
Several tips and this checklist can help when looking for a professional researcher or company:
1. Do they have a website?
This may help to explain their company, policies, procedures and more. If they don't have one it tells you a little about them. They may not be computer saavy, utilizing email, internet, online databases, and fully functioning as a business. A website is not only informational but a credibility piece on the company or individual.
2. Do they have business cards?
Contact information including email, phone, fax, website and more.
2. What do they provide? (Deliverables)
Will they review your initial information and make a proposal on what they can do? Do they charge for this and if so what?
Do they have account managers that come to your home or business and bring samples?
Do they provide account numbers and project numbers for each project?
Do they take copies of originals and leave you with originals?
Do they provide email, calls, or mailed updates on progress on projects? Do they have automated tracking of projects?
Do they have tax deductible options?
Do they have corporate plans?
Do they do monthly installment payment plans and have other payment options?
Do they have any written contracts or agreements or order forms? Do you get copies?
Do you get copies of invoices or statements?
Do you get payment coupons or copies of your order forms?
What do you get when a project is delivered?
a. Research reports and/or summary reports.
Professional researchers do research reports, generally 5-10 pages for original research.
Original research being defined as research on a new person or line with no provided information or clues to start.
Verification research summaries or reports may only be a one to two page report per session listing the research objective(s), results - what was located, and recommendations for future research.
If you speak to someone and they don't have these reports or samples you can see you might want to think again about hiring them.
Research reports are used to allow the research to identify the methods, facts and conclusions, in a pattern not only for a customer but more importantly for future researchers. It along with research calendars or logs provide researchers with knowledge of what has been searched and those sources where something was found or not found. It lists the books and films looked at, what surname(s) or individuals were searched for and what was or was not found.
b. Research Calendars/Logs - These should be provided to help researchers see what has and has not been researched.
c. Documents - These are copies of documents that were found, birth, marriage or death certificates, censuses, military records, church records, cemetery records, biographies, etc.
d. Printouts - Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets on the session that was worked
e. Miscellaneous reports - Temple updates, Temple submissions, Temple Tracking.
f. Temple Submission Diskette or Cards and updating of these cards to a genealogy program
g. Entry of your information into a genealogy program - Personal Ancestral File (PAF), Legacy, Ancestral Quest, Family Tree Maker or others. All of these can output to a GEDCOM (file format) for use in any of the other programs.
h. Copies of the genealogy program files on disc after every session or project delivery.
Knowing the facts can save you and your family valuable time and money. Want to know more. Contact the professionals at: http://www.forgenerations.com/
Stay tuned for Part II:
What about A Genealogy & Family History Research Company versus a researcher?
Ancestral File Revealed
Ancestral File (AF) for short is a collection of submissions by individuals to the http://www.familysearch.org/ website. Although a disclaimer appears on printouts from the website, many novice researchers, hobbyists, or amateur genealogists fail to read it.
Heres what it says:
"Ancestral File is a collection of genealogical information taken from Pedigree
Charts and Family Group Records submitted to the Family History Department since 1978. The information has not been verified against any official records. Since the information in Ancestral File is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the file to verify its accuracy. "
Two statements need repeating:
1. The information has not been verified against any official records
2. It is the responsibility of those who use the file to verify its accuracy.
What does that mean:
Sorry no shortcuts. It means you can't just accept the information. You have to research it and find primary documents (vital records-birth, marriage, death, church records, cemetery records, etc.) to prove the dates, names, and places or hire a researcher or research company [Shameless plug - http://www.forgenerations.com/ ] to do that for you.
Unfortunately, too many ignore this disclaimer. Its not verified. Its not documented. You need to verify it. You need to find documents to prove it. That's what they are saying.
Why the disclaimer. Because every day thousands of people download the files and take them as correct. They erroneously assume that because its on a site provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormons because of a belief in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Christ) that it must all be done and correct.
Wrong!.
So why post it. Because its a tool to help others know what's been done and others working on the same lines. Its a clue to help others.
In the professional research world, Ancestral File is looked at as only a clue, a starting point, not a destination. Sorry to present the gloom and doom but that's how it is.
Other Problems with Ancestral File:
1. When you submitted (submissions no longer updated for AF, since 2002) your GEDCOM file (a genealogy program file format) was uploaded to their file. Unfortunately they didn't tell you that it would strip all the notes and sources. [Oops!!!!] So all the documentation or verification done from others was stripped. [Thank you to the great minds who thought up that blunder]
2. AF no longer updated!!!
So if you are still sending correction diskettes or CD-ROM's ... STOP!!, they are not getting corrected and updated. Repeat - They are not getting Corrected or Updated!.
AF hasn't been updated for years, even prior to a formal announcement to Family History Consultants in early 2004 or 2005 that never got down to all the submitters. And yes, the printed correction pages where still on the shelves of the LDS Distribution center for AF years after they stopped updating.
3. Pedigree Resource File (PRF) -
Why PRF? AF was no longer being corrected or added to.
Why?,
A. Because it didn't have the sources or notes.
B. Because computer matching and merging of the information had created mistakes in the matching. Ex. You could find loops in pedigrees where the improper merging took two identical names and made the child and the grandfather have the same information. [Oops!!] Or two like named individuals had their marriages mixed up. And so on. [Among some researchers its referred to as incestous file, for all the improper matching and marriages.]
[Stay tuned for future post/article on PRF - its a dandy too!]
4. Why not just get rid of it?
With all its problems its still a source of information that can help others with clues. You just have to remember that this rose "AF" has some thorns.
Until next time - James Clemans, http://www.forgenerations.com/
Heres what it says:
"Ancestral File is a collection of genealogical information taken from Pedigree
Charts and Family Group Records submitted to the Family History Department since 1978. The information has not been verified against any official records. Since the information in Ancestral File is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the file to verify its accuracy. "
Two statements need repeating:
1. The information has not been verified against any official records
2. It is the responsibility of those who use the file to verify its accuracy.
What does that mean:
Sorry no shortcuts. It means you can't just accept the information. You have to research it and find primary documents (vital records-birth, marriage, death, church records, cemetery records, etc.) to prove the dates, names, and places or hire a researcher or research company [Shameless plug - http://www.forgenerations.com/ ] to do that for you.
Unfortunately, too many ignore this disclaimer. Its not verified. Its not documented. You need to verify it. You need to find documents to prove it. That's what they are saying.
Why the disclaimer. Because every day thousands of people download the files and take them as correct. They erroneously assume that because its on a site provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormons because of a belief in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Christ) that it must all be done and correct.
Wrong!.
So why post it. Because its a tool to help others know what's been done and others working on the same lines. Its a clue to help others.
In the professional research world, Ancestral File is looked at as only a clue, a starting point, not a destination. Sorry to present the gloom and doom but that's how it is.
Other Problems with Ancestral File:
1. When you submitted (submissions no longer updated for AF, since 2002) your GEDCOM file (a genealogy program file format) was uploaded to their file. Unfortunately they didn't tell you that it would strip all the notes and sources. [Oops!!!!] So all the documentation or verification done from others was stripped. [Thank you to the great minds who thought up that blunder]
2. AF no longer updated!!!
So if you are still sending correction diskettes or CD-ROM's ... STOP!!, they are not getting corrected and updated. Repeat - They are not getting Corrected or Updated!.
AF hasn't been updated for years, even prior to a formal announcement to Family History Consultants in early 2004 or 2005 that never got down to all the submitters. And yes, the printed correction pages where still on the shelves of the LDS Distribution center for AF years after they stopped updating.
3. Pedigree Resource File (PRF) -
Why PRF? AF was no longer being corrected or added to.
Why?,
A. Because it didn't have the sources or notes.
B. Because computer matching and merging of the information had created mistakes in the matching. Ex. You could find loops in pedigrees where the improper merging took two identical names and made the child and the grandfather have the same information. [Oops!!] Or two like named individuals had their marriages mixed up. And so on. [Among some researchers its referred to as incestous file, for all the improper matching and marriages.]
[Stay tuned for future post/article on PRF - its a dandy too!]
4. Why not just get rid of it?
With all its problems its still a source of information that can help others with clues. You just have to remember that this rose "AF" has some thorns.
Until next time - James Clemans, http://www.forgenerations.com/
Its a new Day - New Genealogy Insider begins
For years now I've been troubled by patterns I see repeated in genealogy or a lack of explanation and detail, hopefully I can unmask and clear up some of this family history gray matter and dispel some myths.
That's the thought anyway so here we go ....
That's the thought anyway so here we go ....
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