Sources again

Shortfuse · Post by **Shortfuse** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:59 am

Its me again
I've just started using Legacy sortware (for the second time) and realise that I really do need to record my sources.I stopped doing the family history when I lost my hard drive a few years ago and now looking at my notes I can't remember where I got some of the info. (I've read Lorna's post re sources ) I've had a look at the Legacy training video on line about sources and to be truthful,apart from getting confused watching it,for me its too involved.Anybody experienced in Legacy out there use a simpler way perhaps on the "notes box" or will I have to try and learn to use the source

regards to all
sf

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:54 am

Hi Sf.

I use Legacy and I put everything in the "notes" section. I find it easier to do this as I only have one place to look when I need any information on anyone. I start with how(if applicable) and where I found the person and then continue with what I know about that person in chronological order.

I do put dates of birth, marriage and death in the relevant sections

e.g. For someone born in 1832 would read like this:-

Source IGI Birth. 1841 census details, 1851 census details etc up until their death.

Best wishes
Jean

Shortfuse · Post by **Shortfuse** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:04 pm

Hi Jean
Thanks for the reply.just what I wanted to hear.I thought I would get a reply saying you can't do this because....................
Thanks again sf

searcher 52 · Post by **searcher 52** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:23 am

I use Legacy and have to say I was not a source man to begin with.

One day I thought - what if get run over by a bus? - there's too much of this information that is only loosely organised.

So I started using sources and in the proper way that Legacy suggests.
It strikes me that its a question of discipline but I found that once I got into doing it properly it became second nature.

As a subject its a bit too much to put over here but if you'd like more help then please message me.

Andrew

P.S. I recently acquired a virus on my computer which meant I had to have the whole system restored - thank God I am also a fervent backer up too!

Shortfuse · Post by **Shortfuse** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:57 am

Hi Andrew
You certainly hit the nail in the head when you say its a matter of discipline and I have none

It seems its something I'll have to learn.When I started genealogy a few years ago I lost everything when my hard drive fried,so this time around I've bought a external hard drive for back up and apart from taking it out the box,done nothing with it.

Searching is another problem area,when on SP I end up using "the force" and once the credits run out I sit wondering why I paid for images that I knew were wrong.And as for my paperwork etc etc
What is it they say about an old dog and new tricks

Many thanks for the kind offer sf

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:33 pm

I don’t use Legacy. I use PAF, mainly because it was free. I’ve found that it pays off recording sources in the right place even if you just put down the name of the source, its address or www etc on its main page and then be able to just quickly paste some detail, if necessary, into the appropriate spot whenever you select that particular source. You can put the main information and any other necessary source detail in the notes. Work out a system that you find easy to use. Don’t do it exactly by the book if, after a reasonable amount of practice, it is a burden, otherwise you could end up not doing it at all.

When you start using the software to its maximum you could end up regretting that you didn’t record sources. For example, if I’ve been collecting death notices from a newspaper the old fashioned way i.e. from microfilm at the library, and a newspaper database comes on line I can use PAF to make up a customised list of persons worth checking and eliminate those for whom I already have that source. There would be lots of other situations that don’t immediately spring to mind.

It’s the same with married names. I always make sure they are recorded where specified so that a woman’s current name will appear in any such list. I use sources all the time, couldn’t live without them.

I have an external hard drive and use EZBack-it-up available free from SnapFiles and other download locations, works like a charm.

Alan

Shortfuse · Post by **Shortfuse** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:03 pm

Feeling guilty now

sf

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:59 pm

Hi all

I don’t use Legacy. I use PAF, mainly because it was free.

Just incase any one is not sure, the standard edition version of Legacy (Legacy SE)is also a free program.
Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is available at www.familysearch.org

Best wishes
Lesley

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:50 am

Thanks Lesley,

I should have made the PAF bit clearer. Personal Ancestral File was the first free program I just happened to stumble across after I bought my first computer. Since then it’s been a case of ‘better the Devil you know’. (That’s probably not the right thing to say when referring to a very good free program kindly made available by a religious organisation).

And Shortfuse, I’m feeling guilty too as although I have backups on a second computer (both aged), a portable hard drive and a thumb drive they’re all currently sitting in the one room. That’s not a good idea and I’ll have to burn some DVDs as well and park them at someone else’s house.

All the best,
Alan

Shortfuse · Post by **Shortfuse** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:18 pm

Looks like I'm going to try and get the old grey matter working and TRY to get organised ( says he sitting knee deep in paper thanks to the free 3 day trial with Ancestry )
again many thanks for the subtle advice sf