*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= * COMPUTERIZED GENEALOGY = *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= BY: SHIRLEY MILLIGAN WELLS MEMBER OF THE SAN GORGONIO PASS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY Being a novice at computing, and a greater novice at genealogy, the following revelations will amaze you other novices out there. First, a little background. I was beginning to be consumed by the genealogy "bug", which means you save every note on your surnames, whether you have proved a link or not. My small family had grown to almost 400 persons just on my mother's side of my "work". I had several "works" going for my daughters-in-law and my sons-in-law. I was repeating areas of research for lack of control on research notes and records. Also, when one of the 400 plus descendants of my great-grandfather Gealow would call or write, I would have problems with my "road map" to see just how we were related. Because I am also a little "Scotch", I chose the PAF (Personal Ancestral File) sold by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints partly because $35.00 is an unheard of bargain in computer software and partly because if anyone knew what would be necessary in genealogical computer program, I thought they would be the experts. I was right. This program comes generic in your choice of systems for the following types of computers: CP/M, Apple, MS/DOS. Generic software can be configured to be used on whatever computer you have as long as it fits the three above types. Some helpful soul at ie CG (Inland Empire Computer Group) can help you configure the program for your particular computer like they helped me. PAF is actually three separate programs for genealogy: 1. FAMILY RECORDS..........The Family Records Program enables you to assemble your pedigree and at the same time compile a wealth of genealogical information for each of your ancestors. You can enter the following information about each ancestor: Name (Surname and up to three given names) Gender Title (If any, i.e. Dr., Ma Birth date and Place Christening Date and Place Death and Burial Dates and Places Spouse Marriage Date and Place LDS Dates and Places (if applicable) User Assigned I.D. Number In addition to recording the previous information, PAF enables you to enter historical information or source reference notes for each individual and valuable background information. The information is stored on a diskette other than the program diskette, enabling you to record information about an unlimited number of people. I have a different disk for each of my daughter's-in-law and their ancestor's families. For each diskette, the system assigns a unique number aiding in retrieval of informa- tion. The program enables you to group families together, linking you with you spouse, children, parents, and siblings and repeating the same for each generation. As you enter more and more information and establish the links from family to family, the program also allows you to search your pedigree lines on a given diskette and either display or print out the data in chart form. The program can print blank or completed pedigree charts and family group record forms in either letter or legal size. For Latter-day Saints the program can also produce special forms as well as the ones used by non-LDS individuals. The system will also sort and print lists such as the names of individuals ordered alphabetical, by Record Identification Number, or user-assigned I.D. number. **** Remember ***** This is just the FIRST program! 2. RESEARCH DATA FILER PROGRAM..........A separate program to help you manage large volumes of original research data. Using this program you can document the information sources you used, including details about the author, publisher, page, library, etc. Search, sort, or print the information by event (birth, marriage, military service, death, etc.) place, date, name of person, or relationship to others. The Research Data Filer does not teach you research principles or strategies, however, it does help you organize research data so that you can analyze it more efficiently. 3. GEDCOM (GENEALOGICAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS)........Converts all or a part of your Family Records data to be sent to another Personal Ancestral File user into transmission data format. * Transmits converted data to another Personal Ancestral File user. * Receives data from another Personal Ancestral File user. * Converts data received from another Personal Ancestral File user to the Family Records format for use on the receiving computer. I have been so happy with the program and I am sure that other programs programs could not do more. The $35.00 price really put me into computer genealogy. ..... Organized at last..... ************************************************************************* ** This INFORMATION came from: THE HOME PLACE - BBS (714)-849-1732. ** *** For more PUBLIC DOMAIN programs == > GENERAL and GENEALOGICAL <== *** ** SET your MODEM to 8/N/1 (300/1200/2400) & call THE HOME PLACE - BBS ** *************************************************************************