[marshrail]

Some or all of below may be just my inexperience with using Reunion, with doing source citations, or maybe just stupidity, but I do want to try to move from paper to computer and hope to start correctly and stay consistent. Thanks!

Implementing Practical Citation
I recently re-read the Practical Citation Manual a couple of times. It then became more clear to me why I hadn’t gone gunho on implementing Practical Citation (PC) though I had set it up last year. I decided that what would have helped me was to have had the answers to the Exercises (pp. 6-13) at the end of the manual, similar to what Thomas Jones has done with his new book, Mastering Genealogical Proof. I would have then been more confident that I was on the right track to implement PC. I know Ben said there is no right way, but still I would have felt that I at least knew what Ben’s best practice was.

Other Information to Record (pp.15-16)
Where and how might we store in our Practical Citation the information from this manual section? I see instructions on pp.17-18 about setting up PC with a custom reference number, and on p.23 putting quality in a Misc. Note. How/where do I put Representation information? In PC itself, in citation detail, through naming of multimedia file which is file containing the source?

Multimedia (Manual, pp. 21-22)
How do I handle multimedia if I’m using only one source for Censuses, for example? Will my 1920 US Federal Population Schedule census source have many multimedia attached to it, and I will tell which one applies in each case based on how I name the individual multimedia item? What might be a suggested file naming convention/pattern for naming those multimedia files? “…describe what part of the source is represented in the file by entering it in the Description field.” “…description of the file.” I’m not sure what location is being referred to as “Description field” and “description of the file”. Is it relating to the citation field of the source citation, or to the file name of the multimedia file, or to the metadata fields of the multimedia file, or ? Or maybe in the citation detail field I am to include the name of the multimedia file that applies to this particular family?

Manual Update
In Ben’s 3/28/13 post to Maureen he mentioned an upcoming manual update to address consolidating sources which involve Ancestry.com using FamilySearch.com files, or obtaining same info from 2 sources, one of which used the other’s databases. When is that manual update expected?

Custom Source Reference Numbers (p.18)
Manual indicates these should be put at “top of a source note”. I’m not sure where/what field/area/place that is being referred to as top of a source note? Explanation?An example?

Thanks for any and all help!

[marshrail]

@suzivegemite said:

@marshrail said:

S-
I’m curious about what your Bento templates look like for the various types. Do you mind sharing or have you posted your templates on the Bento template website?

Oh heck, I’m happy to show you if you want. I hadn’t considered posting them to Bento as I couldn’t see anyone else using the same system as me. After reading a book called Paperless, a MacSparky Fieldguide by David Sparks I wanted to adopt some of the ideas into my family history research as I was always scribbling endless notes and was a mad woman with stickies. My Bento templates allow me to stick to my file naming conventions (which makes finding things a breeze) and helps me remember my text expander shortcuts (which saves on masses of typing) I have a field for the information location or detail section of my source citations so I know how I filled it in. It may say things like quarter, year, district, vol, page, persons name & date accessed. This helps me remember what order to fill these in if it’s been a while since I’ve used that particular source. My aim is for consistency and seeing as I sometimes go a few months in between frenzied bouts of research, it’s easy for the information location or detail field of my source citations to be all different in structure.
I’ll post a couple of examples when I get a minute. It may take a couple of days as we’re selling our house at the moment so researching has gone to the back burner.
S

S – Good luck on the house selling!
You also peaked my interest when you mentioned Paperless book. I have it, but have not read it yet, but this will motivate me. Thanks again. I look forward to your templates when you have time.
Marscha

[marshrail]

@suzivegemite said:

I use my “Bento” database to make a sort of template of each type, so they’re all identical in format along with programs “Text Expander” to cut down on the tedium of typing the same thing over and “Alfred” for filing and locating files. I’m extremely happy with my workflow.
S:D

S-
I’m curious about what your Bento templates look like for the various types. Do you mind sharing or have you posted your templates on the Bento template website?

[marshrail]

Hi, Roger,

Maybe I’m out of the loop or forgetful, but I don’t know what the RM5 template is??
Thanks.

[marshrail]

You answered my question, Ben. Thanks!

[marshrail]

@Ben said:

Hi Marscha. I’m very interested in checking out this system of templates. Thanks for pointing it out. I’ll get back to you with a follow-up post here.

Hi, Ben,

I was just curious if you have had a chance to check out Kathleen’s system and what your thoughts were.
Thanks,
Marscha

[marshrail]

Hi, Ben,
Kathleen Tesluk has now updated her templates above to include some links especially between Census templates and her Genealogical Research System. Below is info posted on Bento template exchange regarding her templates:
Hope this is of interest
Marscha

Genealogical Research System
Manages every step of the genealogical research process, from data gathering through analysis.
* Records sources of all kinds – from traditional documents to multimedia files.
* Links sources to evidence.
* Guides you through the analysis process by classifiying the quality of your evidence in understandable, objective terms consistent with the Genealogical Proof Standard.
* Find items instantly with easy Itunes-style searching, or use the included Smart List features for common queries.

Please feel free to contact me at http://voicesfromadistantpast.blogspot.com
Author: Kathleen Tesluk
Category: Research and Notes
Optimized for Bento 4

US Census
Record data from the US federal census, from 1790 through 1940.

You can use these templates on their own, or as a component of my Genealogical Research System. If you use it as part of the GRS, you can:
* link evidence from the census to individuals in your “people” library,
* track “to do list” items,
instantly find anyone in your file (especially useful when looking for individuals whose surnames are different than the head of household’s)
Author: Kathleen Tesluk
Category: Research and Notes
Optimized for Bento 4

[Author]

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