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Beginners Corner
Developing Proper Habits
By Margret Pearce
The beginning of a new year and hope springs eternal that this will be the year we successfully solve our
genealogical dilemma, unravel the knotty problem, decipher the mystical handwriting and detect the elusive
answer that escaped us in 1992. There is no better time than TODAY to resolve to WRITE it right, RECORD
it right, and DOCUMENT it right.
This article is a guideline. Beginning genealogists can begin to lay the foundation of good record keeping.
Seasoned genealogists know all the correct and proper procedures for writing it right, recording it right and
documenting it right. Right? Well, perhaps it can be a review for the veterans.
Our goals are two-fold:
1. To record our findings (or assumptions) in such a way that someone who comes after us can determine what
each entry indicates just by looking at our records.
2. To organize and file our records in such a way that we (or someone else) can locate and retrieve information
on any individual.
The mechanics of this process will be to record all of the names, dates, places, and relationships about
yourself and your family. We are building a genealogy and forms and charts are the tools we use.
Before we begin to fill in the blanks, start off on the right foot by keeping our records in the proper manner
using commonly accepted recording practices recognized by professions and experienced genealogists.
PROFESSIONALLY ACCEPTED RULES FOR RECORDING INFORMATION:
1. Make all entries in pencil until you have documented proof.
2. Record all dates in the military fashion: Day Month Year (8 Aug 1932).
3. Always use the accepted three-letter abbreviation for the month (May, Jun, and Sep). Do not add a period
after an abbreviated month.
4. Never use a number for a month. Example: 12-1-1968
5. Fully record the year. 1968, 1868. Never use the apostrophe in the recording of the year. Example: '32.
6. Record the names of places in this manner: Town (city), county (parish), state and country (if needed).
(Note that the record begins with the smallest locality and progresses to the largest, If the county name is
properly placed between the city and the state, it is not necessary to add "Co." (the abbreviation for county)
each time. However, if you are not recording a town, and only know the county, add the designation "Co."
so that others following your research will not be misled into assuming that the place recorded is a town or
city.
7. THE RULE OF THUMB: take whatever steps are necessary to make your record clear!
8. Abbreviations-what is OK and what is NOT! It is acceptable form to use the commonly recognized
abbreviations for the states. (Word of caution: be VERY careful abbreviating foreign countries. This could
be confusing, i.e. C.A. = Central America while CA= California.) Red Flag: NEVER abbreviate the name
of a town, a city or a county.
IN -14
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DGS Newsletter
Volume 17, Number 1, January-February19
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