Recently, I started building a family history database from scratch. This means I'm starting a new family tree with myself as the "home" person. No merging profiles, no uploading thousands of records from another database. The significance of this exercise is that this database/family tree will be entirely built with good sources and strong documentation. For my non-genealogy readers, that just means you aren't added to my tree until I get the documentation that proves you should be there. I am so serious about this that I didn't start building the tree until I could find my own birth certificate in order to make a proper source citation.
At this moment, I've only added my family up to my eight great-grandparents, their kids and siblings. Last night I finished adding "events" for everyone included in the 1930 census. Today I'll complete everyone in the 1920 census. Then I will go back and see which birth and death certificates I have and create a to-do list based on what else I need.
I have lots of information on my grandparents and great-grandparents. I want to make sure that I get all those details in the new database before I move on to the sixteen great-great grandparents. It gets tricky after that.
This slow, calculated process isn't for the weak of heart or patience. It takes a long time to get the citations just right. The RootsMagic software I'm using greatly eases the process, but it still requires the user to take the time to input all of the citation details.
So far, this crazy endeavor is going really well. It's a great feeling to know I have this tree that will be well-researched and not in constant need of adjustment. We all have those genealogy projects that are a complete mess. This isn't one of those and just the thought of that fact makes me happy.
Although I have switched to RM4 from FTM2009 and I thought it would be easier to do "clean up" I am now thinking that in conjunction with my ProGen work, a new clean DB might be the best approach.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for your ambition and enthusiasm to do this. I hope that you succeed! And survive the effort. You are younger than I am, so you have a good chance of creating a really good database.
ReplyDeleteI am not willing to give up what I have. some of it is great (maybe 2%), some of it is OK (maybe 20%?) and the rest is based on secondary information. I have over 38,000 persons, though, including several one-name studies! I'm trying to get my sources in that I have, and then will take stock of the quality of my research.
Wow! I'm inspired. You've got me thinking.....
ReplyDeleteThis has run across my mind more than once or twice. Thanks for the inspiration to give it more than a passing thought!
ReplyDeleteStarting over is the probably the simplest and surest way to ensure a truly high quality database.
ReplyDeleteYou will not have to deal deal with either conversion issues from one database to another nor any past mistakes you made, yet still reap the full benefit of everything you've learned and collected so far.
Amy, you and I have talked about this before. As several of the others said, starting my DB over has been on my mind for a very long time. So glad you posted about this. Please keep us updated on your progress. I think you've inspired at least of few of us to "just do it"!
ReplyDelete~Regina
I would love to redo mine. The problem is I don't really want to start from scratch. Unfortunately I started my tree in Ancestry.com. I have uploaded so many pictures and documents. Now, Family Tree Maker 10 claims I can transfer everything that is online, including pictures, by using their new software. Can I do this with Rootsmagic? I do like what I read about the Rootsmagic... I just don't want to start over. I love your blog by the way!
ReplyDeleteI've been playing that game too, with my Legacy 7 database. We could have a club!
ReplyDeleteStill pretty small, but good to know what's in it is pretty solid. My biggest problem has been the requirements from my last gen class -- to put all data in the notes section, not in the Events. I am now going back to fill in the blanks so I can take advantage of Legacy's great timelines and reports.
I've started this type of project many times. Whenever I do a fresh install of Windows, I download the latest versions of the gen programs I don't own, and build a few generations from scratch. This lets me try out most parts of the software. I agree.. it does bring a certain level of satisfaction to know its done right.
ReplyDeleteAmy, you didn't get rid of your "working" database, correct? You began a new one and didn't input individuals until you had the documentation? I noticed a couple of comments said they didn't want to get rid of their old database. No need to! I use Legacy and we can have multiple databases (I'm sure other software is the same), I don't intend to get rid of anything just refer to the non-documented database as my working database and use that for my clues. The documented/sourced database will be the real deal. Now I have to stop talking about it and do it! Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteYikes! What a hugh project! You seem up to the challenge though! Enjoy!
ReplyDelete