Census records are a great basic source of information and easily accessible, now that all publicly-released census years are indexed and the images are available on the internet.  I’ve collected census records ever since I started doing genealogy; however, I haven’t been consistent in how I handled them.  Basically, I have three different kinds of census information in my database:

1. Abstracts with Evidence Explained (EE)-style source citations
2. Abstracts that are cited, but the citations are not up to EE standards
3. Notations that the person was found in the census, with non-EE citations

About a year ago, I started working on updating my records, so that each census was abstracted and had an EE-style citation.  My plan was to start with my grandparents and work backward in Ahnentafel order.  After I finished with my direct lines, I would go back and start on the collateral lines; however, as I revisited each census page, I also abstracted the information for any other relatives found on that page.  Revisiting the pages was very useful, because I found records for people that I didn’t know about the first time I looked at the census page.  I’m still working on the direct lines, but I’ve decided to increase the scope of the project.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m reading North Carolina Research: Genealogy and Local History.  The second chapter deals with designing research strategies and touches on the different kinds of records one will encounter.  In the section on census records, there is a fabulous example of an abstract and analysis of the data.  While I typically analyze the data I find in my head, I haven’t been doing complete written analyses of census records.

As I was looking at this example, I knew it was something I wanted to emulate, but I couldn’t quite figure out how I wanted to manage the paperwork.  I first considered simply typing the analysis into the notes section of RootsMagic, but that seemed cumbersome because I would have to privatize the note to keep reports from becoming unwieldy.  Next, I thought about creating a simple Word document, but I’m really trying to avoid having lots of separate documents related to my families.  Then I remembered this blog.  One of things I’m doing here is not only recording the results of my research, but also recording the research process.  I’ve done this with other types of records; I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me to do the same with census records.

So, now, my Census Project will start anew.  I’m going back to the beginning (my grandparents in 1930) and will write an analysis of each census record.  Helen Leary also suggests recording 10 to 15 names before and after each family (I heard Elizabeth Shown Mills say 25 names in each direction at FGS); I haven’t been doing that because, again, I couldn’t figure out the best way to store the data.  Now, I’ll start adding those names to Census Project posts.  I’ll also add a link to the blog post to the census note in RootsMagic; then when I upload the files to TNG, I’ll have a clickable link from the individual census record back to the analysis in the blog.

I think this is really going to take my analysis skills to the next level and I’m excited to get started.

Competition in the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games is over.  I accomplished much more than I had anticipated when I began.

Here are my standings:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources – All competition is this category took place last week.  Platinum Medal!

2. Back Up Your Data – did not compete.

3. Organize Your Research – This week I completed tasks A) organized 20 documents into file folders, C) organized a stack of more than 20 photos into a box, and E) a combo – scanned 3 photos and 3 documents and created 21 database entries based on those items.  I had previously completed tasks B and D.  Platinum Medal!

4. Expand Your Knowledge – This week I completed tasks C) created a Footnote memorial page, D) read several articles in the learning pages at Ancestry.com, E) created visualizations using Wordle.  I had previously completed Task A.  Diamond Medal!

5. Write, Write, Write! – This week I completed task C) prepared several posts and pre-publish them.  I like to keep 12 to 24 posts on ice;  I wrote three this week, which brought my total scheduled posts to 18.  I had previously completed tasks A, B, and F.  Diamond Medal!

6. Reach Out and Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness – This week I completed tasks E) indexed 50 names on FamilySearch,  F) sent in my membership form for the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, and G) “followed” several blogs.  I had previously completed tasks A and B.  Diamond Medal!

My final tally is three Diamond and two Platinum medals.

This was a fun exercise and well-worth pursuing.  Many tasks coincided with items on my To-do list, so I concentrated on those.  I also completed a number of “backburner” items, such as updating my About page, joining my local historical society, etc.

This post is part of a series related to the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games. To see all posts in this series, click here.

The Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games are half over.  Where do you stand?

Here are my standings:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources – 17 last Saturday and 33 on Sunday. Platinum Medal!

2. Back Up Your Data – have not competed in this event.

3. Organize Your Research – All my digital files are already in folders and most have metadata, but I found 20 files and 20 photos that needed tags.  Silver Medal!

4. Expand Your Knowledge – played with Google Maps.  Bronze Medal!

5. Write, Write, Write! – Completed my entry for the 90th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy. I also updated my About page, which has been on my back burner for several months.  Lastly, I participated in this week’s 52 Weeks challenge.  Gold Medal!

6. Reach Out and Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness – I have been a commenting queen, this week; I don’t even know how many new blogs I’ve commented on. I also posted a couple of photos on Find-a-Grave.  Silver Medal!

So my current tally is one Bronze, two Silver, one Gold, and one Platinum.

Let the games continue!

This post is part of a series related to the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games.  To see all posts in this series, click here.

• RT @LisaCooke: Had a blast talking with Lisa Kudrow about WDYTYA! Listen to the exclusive interview on Valentine’s Day. Podcast episode 81. #
• The death certificates I ordered in November FINALLY came yesterday. #
• Updated old blog post – SNGF – Most Recent Unknown Ancestor – with newly found information. http://ow.ly/176hj #
• Very nice! RT @InnerCompass: It feels good to have my first ancestral spotlight done! ( http://bit.ly/9Q5PwJ ) #genealogy #
• Blog Post: Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games – Opening Ceremony http://ow.ly/179ZR #genealogy #
• Created new source citation for NC Marriage Bonds and updated 9 events. #GBGames2010
• Created new source citation for NC Marriage Collection db and updated 8 events. #GBGames2010
• Added NC Register of Deeds Marriage License Index, p.46. Burgin, Mann #surnames #genealogy http://ow.ly/17fAM #
• RT @degarrison: RT @lineagekeeper: Tips to make Pennsylvania #genealogy research a little easier – Tom Mooney Out on a http://bit.ly/dAdx0G #
• Created new source citation for U.S. and Int. Marriage Records, 1560-1900 db and updated 27 events. #GBGames2010
• Created new source citation for American Civil War Soldiers db and updated 6 events. #GBGames2010
• RT @bibliotraveler: RT @jt4novels Naming System in Celtic, Gaelic, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh http://bit.ly/a5OvvC #genealogy #
• RT @maineroots: More examples of old style handwriting & print: http://www.smoot-family.us/oldhand/ #genealogy #
• Reading: Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter: Family Tree DNA Launches the “Family Finder” DNA Test http://ow.ly/1860v #

It’s been a busy weekend here at Tonia’s Roots.  The Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games are in full swing and the competition is heavy.

Here are my standings:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources – 17 on Saturday and 33 on Sunday.  Platinum Medal!

2. Back Up Your Data – have not competed in this event.

3. Organize Your Research – worked on Task B Sunday evening.  All my digital files are already in folders and most have metadata, but I found 11 files that needed tags.  Surely, I can find 9 more for a  Bronze.

4. Expand Your Knowledge – have not competed in this event (but may do so today).

5. Write, Write, Write! – Completed my entry for the 90th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy.  Bronze Medal!

6. Reach Out and Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness – Commented on a new geneablog (and added it to Google Reader).  Bronze Medal!

So my current tally is one Platinum and two Bronze Medals.

Let the games continue!

This post is part of a series related to the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games.  To see all posts in this series, click here.

The Tonia’s Roots flag is flying, announcing my participation in the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games.  The base of my flag is the United States Stars and Stripes.  My ancestors came to these shores centuries ago, so the bulk of my research takes place in the United States.  The middle layer is the German flag, representing many of my paternal grandmother’s and maternal grandmother’s ancestors.  The top layer is the flag of the United Kingdom, representing my Scottish, Irish, and English ancestors.

The Games begin today and run through February 26.  I intend to compete in the following  events:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources – definitely, I’ll be going for a platinum medal in this event.

2. Back Up Your Data – I have good backup plans in place for my digital files, but I may work on protecting some of my hard copies.  This is a “maybe” event.

3. Organize Your Research – I’ll go for a bronze or silver medal in this event.

4. Expand Your Knowledge – This is another bronze or silver event.

5. Write, Write, Write! – bronze or silver

6. Reach Out and Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness – bronze or silver

Good luck to all the participants and let the games begin!

This post is part of a series related to the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games.  To see all posts in this series, click here.

My main genealogy software is The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding.  This software can be used as a stand-alone product or with a desktop genealogy program.  I use Legacy for a few things, but use TNG for all my data entry and storage.  If you want to learn more about the features and benefits of TNG or see a demo, click here.  To see how my data is displayed, click any of the links under “Genealogy” in the sidebar Family Tree in the menu bar above, then click any surname, the links in the Genealogy sidebar or the drop-down menus.

10 Things I Love about TNG:

1. TNG is extremely flexible.  If there are aspects that you don’t like, you can change the code.  For example, the default source citation displays the source short name; I prefer to display the long name, so a quick change to the the php files changed this on my site.  Disclaimer here:  I am not in any way, shape, or form a “programmer.”  There are great folks on the TNG Forums, instructions in a Wiki, User groups, and even a recently released book to help you make changes.  All I have to do is follow directions.
2. I have access to my records anywhere there is an Internet connection.  This means that if I don’t want to take my laptop to the library, I don’t have to.  Or if I’m at my mom’s house and a genealogy question comes up, I just pull up my website.
3. I can load a copy of the program on a USB drive, so that I also have access to my records if I”m somewhere without an Internet connection.   This requires a little extra work, but is very handy.  I took my laptop to my grandmother’s house last Christmas and spent the afternoon looking at files and answering questions from the family.  Maybe some (more) of them will get the genealogy bug!
4. The admin interface is very intuitive.  Adding new people, pictures, documents, etc. is very easy.
5. The advanced search feature is unparalleled.  Frankly, TNG’s search has spoiled me for all others.  It is SO easy to find who or what I’m looking for, from both the user side and the admin side.
6. I’m not stuck with out-of-the-box reports.  Other programs have good reporting features, but I can create almost any kind of report I want to with TNG.
7. There is an option to integrate Google Maps into your site.  I’m a visual person and just love being able to see the places that my relatives lived.
8. I can put as much or as little detail as I want to in my source citations.  As I’ve progressed in my genealogy research, I’ve become more vigilant (some would say fanatical) about citations.  I try to follow the Elizabeth Shown Mills methods, which I can easily do with TNG.
9. I can easily customize Ancestor charts to display more or less information, depending on my needs at the time.  Sometimes I only want to see names, sometimes I need dates and places, sometimes I need to export to pdf – all possible.
10. The Relationship Calculator – I really like being able to quickly calculate the relationship between any two individuals in my database.

TNG is not perfect; no program is.  But the changes I would make are very minor and Darrin Lythgoe (the author) is very receptive to user requests.  I’ve tried both Family Tree Maker and Legacy and they just don’t do it for me.  I love TNG.

A quick shout-out to Mark Tucker at ThinkGenealogy for his Better Source Citations video.  I encourage you to watch the video and take the survey.  If you like the concept, contact your genealogy software provider.  Personally, I think this idea is great.  I absolutely loved the import of not only the citation, but also images of relevant pages and source detail.

I recently purchased a copy of Legacy Family Tree Software, largely because I wanted to try out its Source Writer feature.  I had read good reviews of the product; it was supposed to be easy to use, with a rich set of features, and advanced reporting options.

I found the data entry interface to be clunky and counterintuitive.  I spent a whole day trying to figure out how to find my way around and enter a few facts.  Contrast this with TNG (The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding), which I think is very user-friendly and which I was able to begin using immediately after installing.

While I won’t be using Legacy as my main database, it does have some very useful features, so I will keep it on my computer to use in an auxiliary capacity.  The features I have most helpful include:

1.  Source Writer is a template-based system through which one can drill down, making the appropriate selections and filling in the template to create perfectly-crafted citations for the myriad of sources that genealogists access, such as birth records, marriage records, property records, etc.    I didn’t like the way the citations uploaded to TNG, which is another reason I chose not to use Legacy for data entry.  What I’m doing instead is creating the citation in Legacy, then I can figure out how to configure the source in TNG.  They won’t always display in the exact same format, but I can ensure that all the appropriate information is included in the citation.  Here is an example:

Murray County Marriage Book N, 1907-1925, (Murray County Clerk of Probate Court, Chatsworth), 431, Kindrick-Whitner, 1922 (Reliability: 3), 26 Nov 2008.

2.  USA County Verifier verifies the validity of all US counties in your database and generates reports of errors, including places that have never existed as a county in that state and counties that were not in existence on the date of your event.  What makes this even better is that you can do a search, filtering the data however you choose,  then run the county verifier based on the search results.  For example, I ran a search on all Hemphills, then ran the County Verifier, which produced just over a page of errors that I can fix. 

3.  Search feature – While in general, I think the TNG search feature is beyond excellent, occasionally I can’t make it return the results I want.  Legacy is filling the gap nicely.  For example, I was preparing for a trip to a county probate office and wanted a list of all individuals married, born, and/or died in that county.  I can get the births and deaths easily with TNG, but not the marriages, whereas Legacy can produce reports of all three.  As an added bonus, Legacy prints the resulting report in tabular format with a row in between results; the blank row turned out to be very handy for taking notes while at the probate office.

Ultimately, the Legacy features I was interested in are the ones that I like and will continue to use, while maintaining my TNG site as my main database.

I recently bought a copy of Elizabeth Shown Mills’ fabulous book Evidence Explained (e-book available for download on Footnote.com) and have spent the evening creating citations for events sourced from tombstones that I have personally photographed.

It’s a simple format and by copying, pasting, and editing, I was able to create citations for over 40 events in one evening.

The basic format is:

Cemetery (Location), Item, data collection info, date photographed.

Here are a couple of samples from my database:

• Ramsey Cemetery (Ramhurst, Murray County, Georgia), Maude W. Butler footstone, personally photographed, 20 Sep 2008.
• Spring Place Cemetery (Spring Place, Murray County, Georgia), Martin Roberts and Rosie Roberts Headstone, personally photographed, 27 Dec 2007.

Source:  Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained : Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. Boston: Genealogical Company, Incorporated, 2007. 213.