Family Historian User Group

As has been pointed out each of these methods of sourcing has advantages and disadvantages. I am inclined towards method 1 for census citations since method 2 generally leads to multiple copies of the same source transcript. However, it doesn't have to, if you put the transcript into a note record and then link the note to the citation. You then have only one copy of the "text from source" data.

This method was not available on the previous software that I was using and therefore I have not had time to consider all the pros and cons. I would welcome input from anybody who has used this method as to whether it is as good as it sounds or if there are hidden pitfalls.

David

I always used method 2 for everything.
Now , however, I have switched to Metho 1 for census, Baptism, Marriage, Death and burial records where I have an original image to work with. For GRO and family search & other similar types of generic records, I still use method 2.
I find that this approach works for me.

That's pretty much the situation I find myself in. When you decided to make the switch did you convert your older method 2 citations to method 1? or did you simply leave them as is and use method 1 for new citations of the type you mentioned?

David

David, yes that is a quite standard Method 2 technique, and Multimedia can be linked to the Citation too.
Both the linked Note Record and linked Multimedia appear in Reports in the same place as Text From Source (Citation or Source) and Multimedia linked to Source Record as in Method 1.

Ancestral Sources includes Method 2 options to create exactly the above arrangement.

The drawbacks are that after using Ancestral Sources for the initial data entry, any subsequent editing will usually involve the slightly trickier All tab of the Property Box to locate the linked Note &/or Multimedia.
Also, if subsequently other new Facts need to cite the same Source then you must remember to also update via the All tab taking care to link the correct Note and Multimedia.

Whereas, with Method 1 it is simply a matter of citing the Source Record - job done.

The general advice is to use Method 1 where it is likely that Text From Source transcripts &/or Multimedia images will be needed, and to use Method 2 where those are not likely.

As far as switching is concerned, I believe that Ancestral Sources allows the details to be entered in Method 1 and replace the existing citation for all affected Facts, which is probably easier than the changes you are proposing by hand.
Bear in mind that switching can be performed piecemeal as and when time allows, but use Method 1 for all new data.

I left all my Citations as they were, but am using the change over to review my findings. When I update a family, I go through all the records and record new method 1 sources, linking the original images, but renaming them to match what I now use. This will take me a long time, but I have found that quite often another look brings up data I hadn't spotted 1st time round (The lodger with a different name who then turns out to have married a member of the extended family)

Many thanks to you both for your responses. I hadn't foreseen the extra editing involved in using note links so I will stick with changing to method 1 and converting my existing citations when the occasion arises..

David