|
Preview: Introduction to the new edition of |
||||||||
|
Much has changed in the world of computer-aided genealogy database software since the Silicon Valley PAF Users Group first published its documentation guidelines in 1992. Not only have new versions of the PAF program been released, but several alternative programs have become popular among genealogists and family historians. Furthermore, all of the systems have more sophisticated methods for entering and maintaining documentation. In addition, the cost of hard disk memory space has plummeted, thus making it far more feasible to include as part of your database more detailed documentation, as well as digital copies of photos, certificates, and other source documents. By popular demand, we are offering a new edition of the guidelines aimed at PAF for Windows version 4 and subsequent versions, plus other programs that separate source citations from notes. Since the documentation method in PAF version 3 is similar, many of these guidelines also will apply to those who still use some version of the PAF 3 program. For those who are just starting to enter documentation, the major change from the earlier versions is in the use of templates for sources, in place of a free-form or blank screen. Notes still may be entered in the free-form screen, but the details of sources are now entered into a formatted template. The goal of the committee has not changed since the original guidelines were published in 1992. We still believe that good documentation is an essential element of genealogical data. We feel strongly that documentation should be consistent, clear, and thorough. The primary objective is to describe the source of data in such a way that anyone who desires can return to the source if there is ever a need to verify the information or to resolve conflicts in data. How to Use This Manual The manual is designed to be a supplement to the user documentation of the program you are using for your database. PAF users not familiar with PAF for Windows will need to review the overall functionality of the program using a PAF manual or the Help text supplied by the Family History Department of the LDS Church. Family History Documentation Guidelines is intended to establish a method for good, consistent source documentation regardless of the software you use. A few sections in this manual contain how-to instructions that will be helpful for users who want more extensive instructions on using the PAF 4 source documentation features. However, if you are already familiar with these features, you may want to skip the how-to chapters and go directly to the guidelines and examples. If you are just beginning to document your family history, we hope you will study the guidelines carefully to understand the overall method we are recommending. Those who are already deep into source documentation and have some experience in the functionality of the PAF 4 system will note that there are several major elements to the method described herein. First, we are suggesting that great care be made when entering the source title in the Source template. If you do not use a clear and consistent format for source titles, your Source List will be difficult to use and you will be more apt to have needless duplications. The whole purpose of the source system will be defeated and you will be frustrated. Chapter 3 will be especially helpful for understanding source title entries. Second, we are recommending that care be made when choosing to put information into the source citation function for events, as opposed to putting it into the Notes screen. While we recognize that this is a personal preference, and although the PAF system allows for many Other Events to be created for source documentation, we hope that you will notice that too many source entries can clutter the Source List. Finally, we suggest that your source titles reflect the type of source material, such as the type of document or publication media. However, there are some situations that could favor using a surname to indicate the branch of the family, or a geographical format in the title that indicates the region that the source document covers. We use style conventions in this manual to indicate specific functions. Usually titles of menus, buttons, options, or keys that you must press or click are italicized. Other labels or menus that appear on the screens or windows are capitalized. Many of the common terms for computer use have been placed in the Glossary. As was the case for the previous edition, these guidelines are not endorsed by anyone other than the Silicon Valley PAF Users Group. The committee has spent many hours working out the details to ensure that the guidelines will be highly useful and widely accepted. We continue to seek comments and suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to e-mail them to the Documentation Committee. |
||||||||