It seems that every day I am looking at records on the CCA or Tombo site and recording information in my genealogy program. Part of genealogy is to back up your information with sources in order to refer back to where you got the information.
Here in the United States we are accustomed to books having page numbers on every page both sides. For example the on the back of page 32 is page 33 and opposite page 33 is page 34. You get the idea. When we go to the church records at CCA the page numbers are what would seem to us only on every other page if we identify it with the numbering system we are used to. Not having any formal tutoring when I began doing genealogy I only did what made sense to me at the time and as a result I would identify my source as this example: Nossa Senhora da Estrela Church Marriages, 1799-1812 page number 33 left side. I cannot think of the water shed moment but perhaps it was working with some N. S. Ajuda records from Bretanha. The book was rebound with all the pages out of order so what I previously would have identified as Page 33 left might actually be the back side of page 68. Thus enters confusion. After much thought and consideration I have begun identifying my sources the following way: Nossa Senhora da Estrela Church Marriages, 1799-1812 page number 32, reverse side. As a help when looking for a record in order to verify some information I have added CCA image number ####. In this method I can go directly to the correct source without wading through several records and using up time. I realize that the image number may not be of use in the future as websites change and technology changes But for the present it is a helpful notation to include. So my current way of identifying sources are Church (which includes freguesia): Nossa Senhora da Estrela Church, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Acores, Portugal. The type of record and year: Marriages 1799-1812. The page number and side: Page number 32, front side/reverse side: In the case of pages that have more than one entry I add: upper entry/lower entry/third entry and so on. In latter records where records are added on as needed I site the page where the record starts and note the entry number and year: Page number 32, reverse side, entry number 36 for the year 1875. What I try and do is be consistent in citing my sources in the same format. I realize that many of us as myself have very large data bases and sources which have been done in a different manner. I am by no means advocating that we should go back and redo them but just accept it as is but I have changed to this method in all the new records I cite sources on. Perhaps educating new researchers on the methods of sourcing information would be a help to them and future genealogists. Rick Richard Francis Pimentel Epping, NH Researching, Riberia Grande, Riberinha, Achada Grande, Bretanha, and Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Acores -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores.
