Loran,
You bring up the key point... ie, the need of most systems for "either
cross-referencing or duplicating when we have one group of people (such as
in a group photo or in a census family)", which is why I use the file it as
I got it system which files sources once but is referenced by all that use
it.
When I find a census record I print it out and file it with the next number
available sequencially (starting with 0001) in my binders and record that
number in the FILE ID on the source detail screen in Legacy. Then when I'm
asked a question about a source it takes me seconds to find it by going to
that person in my database and checking the source for the ID number. Each
person in the census gets this same source with the same FILE ID #, BUT IT
IS FILED ONCE.
After reading Bob's post, now I'm going to scan everything or retrieve it
from the web in a photo format and preserve them on cd's also, using the
FILE ID # as the name of the photo.
I am also a firm believer in keeping one database because I find that we are
all related. It didn't take that long for me to find that my husband's line
connects to my birth family's line and my birth family's line connects to my
adoptive family's line ( I love saying I'm related to myself). The idea of
putting these lines in twice was not acceptable.
Jean
----- Original Message -----
From: "Loran Braught" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "LegacyUserGroup" <LegacyUserGroup@legacyfamilytree.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 11:55 PM
Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] One tested method of organizing files ...a bit more
Frankly I will not endeavor to defend the standard ahnentafel nor the
library cross referencing systems that have survived virtually all options
for many decades.
I am not a professional genealogist, but I have noticed that the more we
try to merge family lines into one file the more difficulties we create
for ourselves in organizing the data. For sure it is much easier to merge
family lines than separate them and for sure merging family lines will
deeply challenge organizing the data.
I do not see how to avoid the choice of either cross-referencing or
duplicating when we have one group of people (such as in a group photo or
in a census family).
My personally chosen method is to create separate pedigree lines for each
grandparent surname and use the same ahnentafel system for each. This
would appear somewhat like the soundex pattern with each surname preceding
systematic numbering. This pattern can be extended to as many surname
lines as you pick, but I can not handle documentation tasks for more than
four families much farther than about five generations. Good luck to
those who think that they can.
The major strength of the ahnentafel organization is that every one not
only has a unique number, but that number simultaneously identifies the
family relationship of the preferred direct family line. Those not in that
direct line with ahnentafel identification can simply continue using the
RIN/MRIN system that has basis only for the random entry sequence.
Incidentally, if we add a sibling who belonged inside a chronological
order, the only ahnentafel numbers that need to be re-sorted and
renumbered are those of that one family (no big task).
As someone remarked, no one is obligated to use any organizational system
and folks are entitled to keep their data in piles instead of files. I
merely have watched the ahnentafel system work much smoother than other
options I have observed and decided to share the idea in case folks want
to analyze or test the comparisons.
If anyone wants to discuss this with me further, please contact me
directly as I really do not want to clutter this message board with
perpetual clarifications or debate on this one issue.
Respectfully,
Loran Ralph Braught
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(812) 535-3618
8380 N. Crestwood Pl
West Terre Haute, IN 47885
Researching mostly Braught/Braucht, Bruner, Ruggles, Riley
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