Donna, I think what some folks have already said about large databases is right. To each his/her own as to who they collect and how they arrange their files. With that said, for myself I populate my Legacy database with people using the following criteria: - Primary sources: original (or photocopies of the original) documents such as birth, marriage, death certificates, church records, censuses, deeds, wills, etc. These would be documents recognized as valid in court. These sources definitely make it to my database if they correspond with what I already know (presumably from other primary sources). - Secondary sources: letters, newspaper articles and obituaries, monumental inscriptions, the IGI, oral histories from family and relatives, family trees, family Bibles, etc. These sources would probably make it to my family file assuming they also correspond to one of my primary sources, but with the caveat that I would not entirely rely upon them until I could back them up with a primary source, since what they represent is what somebody says to be true. From my own experience, I've found that has not always been the case. I would also include in this category information gleaned from other people's family files so long as they documented their primary sources. This would then allow me to look at their primary sources at a later date so that I could satisfy myself as to the veracity of their data. I'm very careful about putting secondary sources into my database, and most of the time I will wait till I can be satisfied that they probably true. - Tertiary sources: just about anything from the Internet, databases, books, or family files that have no real sources to back up their data. This would include sources that site other non-primary sources. Such sources do not make it to my family file since I have no real proof that they are true. However, I wouldn't discount them altogether. Many times these sources lead me to primary sources. This is my own opinion of how sources should be used. I do not pretend to be an expert on the matter. I am using the criteria I used when I wrote research papers and my thesis in college. I would be very interested to learn what others think. Sincerely, Peter, Thousand Oaks, California -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of DWT Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 5:40 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [LegacyUG] data base Hello I have been following the discussion on Large data bases.Myron seems to have a promblen with large data bases. I was wondering if he is an only child. I have 3 sister and several cosins and a Aunt who are working on our famiy lines. We together have a somewhat large, but we think correct data base. Also I am somewhat new to genealogy and was wondering what is consider good sources, such as the internet roots, cindy list,passagers list off the internet, cenus off the internet, LDS Church Anscestral files,etc.And Would some one please send me a a sample as to how to put the sources correctly into legacy. I am not sure I am doing this right. Also I am getting a lot of runtime errors in legacy 3.0. I just downloaded legacy a few weeks ago. Do I need to down load again. Thanks Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp
