* Sorting Citations based on Surety Assessment

[tatewise]

Yes, I record both the Certificate and each GRO Index in the same Method 1 Source record.
That way it is all integrated together, with the GRO Index Vol & Page for the Certificate, their transcripts and their images all in one record, as I summarised perhaps not clearly enough in my reply at midday.
If you want to keep images of all the GRO Index pages then that is trickier with Peter's Method 2 Source approach.
However, it is true that many use Method 2 for GRO Index sources, dispense with the images, and just record the index details in each Citation Where within Source.

[David Potter]

Hi Mike

I did pick up on your midday comment - but just wanted to be sure. And I agree having the GRO Index Image doesn't add a great deal other than further proof you documented the Index itself correctly.

Now I know Peter's method uses Method 2, I'll reverse what I did last night and recombine both certificate and index into one source. This way I can handle all 'which came first' scenarios Cert or Index within AS. And use the Add to Existing as necessary.

Before I start this task - I take it there is no Merge of Source Records function?

Thanks again for your great help and good advice...

[tatewise]

Yes, there is a merge for Source records, as there is for every type of record.

Select the Source you want to be master, then use Edit > Merge/Compare Records and select the other Source.

However, tread carefully, as it may not offer the entire flexibility you need.
It will certainly merge the Media tab of images, and the Citations of both Sources, but it cannot for example move the Text From Source of one Source to the Note field of the other Source.
Nevertheless, it will handle the bulk of the changes.

TIP: Next time you undertake wholesale changes like that, take a File > Backup/Restore > Small Backup beforehand, and then simply use the File > Backup/Restore > Restore option to undo all those changes should the need arise. In any case, having a backup of where you started is always a handy insurance just in case the changes go awry.

[David Potter]

Hi Mike

Ah - that's some good news from today. I'll test out that Merge function.

I always Backup - but must admit it was late last night when I had finished and only found out the mistake during today after our discussions and changing other stuff. So too late to use the Restore really.

Thanks again.

[brianlummis]

Like Peter, I use Method 2 for recording entries from the GRO Index and have been quite bemused by the discussion in this thread.

From my point of view, which others might not agree with, I see very little point in having a copy of the Index page in my Media File. It adds very little to my research and, as it is for the most part freely available on FreeBMD, anyone can look it up if they have doubts to the information recorded.

When I started my research over 25 years ago there was no online index and if I wanted to obtain details of what was recorded I had to travel to London to look in those rather large volumes that many might recall! There was no way of obtaining a photocopy, so I relied on what I had transcribed. That in no way affected my research and I can't recall ever wanting to look at the entry again.

I am rather intrigued as to what media is used to confirm the information from the newly available GRO Online Index, which now gives for births, the mother's maiden name and the full name of the child rather than the initials that often occur in the old index. I suppose I could snip a copy but for what purpose?

To me the simple way is to use Method 2 and just record the Quarter Date , Registration District and the Volume/Page or other reference as a simple narrative direct into FH and manage to use the time saved more productively.

Brian

[David Potter]

Hi Brian

I don't tend to disagree with what you say. But the GRO image further supports as hard evidence that you have transcribed the correct Index details. And when you go back years later there it is in your database and not some other database that may not be around anymore.

But thanks for you comment.

[tatewise]

I think some of the recent discussion stems from David's enthusiasm to 'do it right'.
Peter said he recorded GRO Indexes separately from the Certificates, and David thought those were all Method 1 Sources.
That misunderstanding has now been corrected.

I believe that the vast majority use Method 1 Sources for Certificates with Text From Source transcripts & Media images.

For GRO Indexes the choice is between :-

1. Method 2 Sources without Media images and using the Where within Source field in Citations
2. Incorporating the GRO Index details into the Method 1 Source record for the Certificate, where having GRO Index image Media is optional.

My preference is B. because it lumps more data together, avoids any duplicated Citation data, reduces the number of Citations, and optionally allows GRO Index Media. On the other hand, if you have a large number of GRO Index details with no intention of obtaining the Certificates, then A. does have some attraction for them.

[David Potter]

Hi Mike/All

Yes - I have serious OCD when it comes to recording family tree information. I particularly like to 'see' the evidence and very much like the way FH allows you to attach images to the Source/Citation.

So a big thanks to those of you who have contributed to these threads.

A special thanks to Mike who helped me get back on track. That Merge of Source function worked a treat.