I have the same philosphy as Jenny - it depends. I may use some census information supported by a child's birth record to determine an approximate birth date and place. Then I may eventually find an index entry for that peron's birth record, so I'll add that to the sources. Once I obtain a copy of the actual birth record, I will delete all the other (secondary and lesser) sources in favor of the primary source of birth record. I may keep the index as a source but usually add the index information to the citation comments. If no birth record is available, I choose the "best" of the secondary sources.
I try not to have an overwhelming number of sources for any one fact/event. I feel that no more than 4 or 5 secondary or lesser sources are needed for most situations. More than that is TMI for most people (including me!). I use Clooz to keep track of all of the records I find on each individual. So, if someone wants to know the steps I took to find the birth record, it's easy enough to show them. Plus I'm making better use of Notes, General Notes and Research Notes. Residence tends to be an exeception to the 4 or 5 sources guidline when someone lived in a particlur place for a long period of time. I will "lump" all of the city directories under one source citation, though. There is no sense in having 20 city directory entries for one residence. Terri ________________________________ From: julia m <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 1:28 PM Subject: [LegacyUG] Do you limit your # of sources for one fact? I was just wondering how other people handle this? For example: You find someone's birthdate (or year) from a census, so you attach the census as the source. Later you read a few more things (obit, gravestone, etc) so you add those as sources to that piece of data. Then you finally receive a birth certificate that has the birthdate and you add that as a source. Do you drop off some of these other sources and let, in this instance, the birth certificate be the only source for that piece of data? How do I know when enough is enough--or is it never enough and I should keep adding sources as I find them?!? Thanks, Julia Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and on our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
