* speed up multiple Citation/ Source selection

[jimlad68]

I'm sure this has been queried before, but I can't find it, and it is one of those things that would speed up data entry.

Is it possible to add multiple sources to a fact in one go.
e.g.
- Property box > add or view fact
- Add Citation > gives a list. I cannot find a way to select more than one source at a time.

The selection can also be laborious having to wade through or search for an item.

- I have noticed that the order of Citations displayed mirrors that of the Records window, so for instance if you sort on 'reverse updated' in the records window ( the most recent items appear at the top, which apart from generic citations are often the one's required.

- There is the copy/paste option which is helpful, but it only remembers the last one. I remember in TMG it kept the last few (in the order of 10+) which was very useful.

Has anyone any other ideas to speed up Citation selection, in particular multiple selections.

[tatewise]

I don't think it is possible to select multiple Source records to add to a Fact in one go.
(Even a Plugin would struggle because it is not easy to identify the desired Fact.)

Could you give some scenarios in which such multiple Citations arise, as it is not something I recall needing to do.

The order and search options for records in the Select source... dialogue are identical to the Records Window tab for Sources.
i.e.
The search Filter options for Title, Author, etc, are identical.
The order can be set by clicking on any column header such as Updated.
(You may have to enlarge or scroll the Select source... dialogue to bring desired columns into view.)

[jimlad68]

Mike, As regards speeding up Source selection I have partly answered my own question with the 'pre-sorting' sources to 'updated' in the Records Window. That certainly makes selection quicker in most cases and I can refine this so that regular generics are near the top as well. Also:

- Another frustration with the Citation selection is that the filter box is not automatically selected, but at least with an extra keystroke CTRL+D, one is taken to the search box.

- Studying the Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts more, this combination would take one from a Fact to the Citation search Box.
Hold down CTRL then U > I > D

As regards to when one would use it: More often in a tidying up exercise, especially with 'generic' sources. But often with 2 or sometimes 3 sources, perhaps say a birth or death where various sources might all apply. I try to remember to use the copy/paste citation which will often save time too.

If anyone has any other shortcuts to adding Sources they will be gratefully received.

[Gowermick]

Jim,
Like you, I tend to copy/modify existing sources, instead of creating a new one from scratch. The method I use also enables me to see if the citation has already been used before, with no need to create a new one!
(I miss the copy as new facility from FTM, which the steps below go some way to emulating)

Note: Good as it may be, I don't use Ancestral Sources, as I like to retain full control of what I'm doing

Step 1 In the records windows, I arrange the sources in the order I want, usually in reverse RecordID, as this brings the latest additions to the top. This affects how they will be listed in the citations box. The citation filter system is pretty well thought out, and doesn't rely on the citations being in any particular order, but having the latest at the top, sometimes obviates the need to use the filter at all.

Step2 Click Add Citation, in Filter box start type something to find a similar citation, highlight it then Ctl-C to copy it.

Step 3 Click Add new, then Ctl-V to paste it into the Title box. This will result in a new title similar to what you want. Edit title to exactly what you want then click OK to save it as the new citation.


My BMD's citations look like GRO B Reg 1878 Q3 Ref N Aylesford 2a 486. To find the nearest match, I start typing the registration District N Ayle..., then highlight the Citation that is the nearest match, then Ctl-C to copy it. When I paste it, it will look like: [S25196] GRO B Reg 1878 Q3 Ref N Aylesford 2a 486. I edit this by stripping the [S25196] part, then edit rest to match what I need.

My Census citations look like Census 1901 - RG13 Piece 0770 folio 106 Page 10.
To find the nearest to what I want, I start typing the class and piece number like RG13 Piece 077..., then again highlight nearest match and edit as above. With census's, unlike BMD's, there is a good chance that you already have the citation in use for someone else, so then it is just a matter of clicking OK, without creating a new one.

My Family Search citations look like LDS- Film 246890, so in this case I start typing Film 246.... if I find a match, I click OK, otherwise I copy and edit the closest match.

I hope the above gives you food for thought

[arthurk]

Jim,
Like you, I tend to copy/modify existing sources, instead of creating a new one from scratch. The method I use also enables me to see if the citation has already been used before, with no need to create a new one!
(I miss the copy as new facility from FTM, which the steps below go some way to emulating)

Note: Good as it may be, I don't use Ancestral Sources, as I like to retain full control of what I'm doing

Your comments so far strike a chord with me. On starting to use FH I decided I would get to grips with the program as designed, and only then think about whether AS might offer any improvements. I haven't yet reached a point where FH makes me want to explore other ways of doing things.

However, unlike you, I mostly use Method 2 sources. (The main exception is with BMD certificates, where I have a piece of paper that can be identified as a specific source.) This does, admittedly, mean that I don't need to copy sources anywhere near as often as Method 1 folk, but I have found another way to copy them, which I think involves a bit less effort.

This is in the Automatic Source Citations dialogue: once a source is selected, the gear wheel Tools button offers an option to make a clone of it, which of course then will need to be edited. I think this will be quicker than your way, because things like the Repository will be already selected. If you don't want to, I don't think you have to go on and actually use Automatic Source Citations, but it does mean a bit less copying and pasting.

Another way, which I haven't tried, might be with the Clone Any Record plugin. I'd be interested to know whether this offers another easy alternative.

[jimlad68]

Mike L

Thanks for those observations, some helpful hints/ food for thought. Interesting how different people come up with different ideas. I suppose I should have read up on some more theoretical genealogical 'how to notate' guides but they always seem over complicated, although probably theoretically better structured. I like to keep mine as simple as possible.

re Copy > Create new Source."
- I had not tried the Ctl-C to copy paste (it does not show on right mouse click). However it only seems to copy the Title detail which in many cases is enough. To create a new source from an old similar one I use the Plugin 'Clone any record'

- BMDs. I must admitt that for GRO and similar BMDs I use a generic Source title like
V_Birth~UK GRO index image to 1983,database from 1984
or V_Birth~UKBMD
(my V_ is a prefix for Vitals as in BMD, just my way of organising)

However, for baptisms, certificates, probates and wherever possibe I create a 'type 1' source for each one.

My reason for certain generic Sources is:
- I feel there is little detail to be gained for individual sources for sources like GRO BMD as the place would be detailed anyway with the Fact and where there is anything unusual I would make a comment in the note. It might not be very purist, but to me it saves some clutter and speeds data entry.
- To save time on either in progress research or distant 'marry-ins', at least there is a pointer for future reference. I even have a generic Census for this eventuallity if I don't have time to key up the full household Census.

- CENSUS title - I use something like this:
Census_UK~1901~England, Greater Manchester, Wigan, Ince, Warrington Road, 148
I emphasise the date and place as I feel that is a more helpful reference and just as unique.
(Excuse my 'PLACe' notation. As mentioned in earlier posts I populate my PLACes with biggest first ending with house number. I feel this is far more logical as sorts 'out of the box', although because it is not standard can cause some problems, but on balance I find it more useful and logical. I also use 'modern' addresses (sometimes with a Source to show previous addresses for that location) as this makes external programs like Google Maps easier to use and easier for readers with little geographic History. A whole other topic though.)

I suppose my 'title' emphasis is on the reader rather than the technical detail.

[jimlad68]

Arthur,

- Your comments on Method 1/2 sources are interesting. I came from TMG and am now fully converted to Method 1 sources. Witnesses seemed to be the standard unchallenged option in TMG and although I think FH method 1 type sources were possible in TMG, I never thought to use them, it was only when I looked at the documentation for FH Ancestral Sources it "clicked" with me. A head banging on the desk moment!

- The Automatic Source Citations dialogue:
Whilst this works, I find it takes many keys/clicks.
I can highly recommend the Plugin 'Clone any record', I use it a lot and it is fast.

I have no hesitation in recommending Ancestral Sources, it has not only saved me hours of keying, it reminds me to add all the detail and keeps things structured, adds extra Facts like Residence. Just take some time and experimentation to set it up, for instance for marriages instead of using the new FH witnesses I have set up an automatic custom Fact for Witnesses and also ASSOciations, both standard Gedcom format. Well worth a small donation.

[Gowermick]

Jim,

1. BMD reference. I use the full reference purely for others who may want to get the certificate (or even me if I feel flush enough)

2. Census. The drawback with your method is that you need a separate reference for each house, and gives others no clue where to find the image if they want to check your source for themselves, and surely it is also duplicating the address data in the census fact!
I use my method as it also points me to the correct image in my filing system, should I need to check on something later. A typical image file name would be 1891 0669 F107 P30.jpg

3 Ctl-C. I use this because it only copies the title. I really only use a title, and don't faff around with the other fields. A hangover from FTM I suppose.

[arthurk]

Thanks for the comments, Jim.

I'll take a look at the Clone Any Record plugin, as I might find it a bit easier than Automatic Source Citations.

Interesting thoughts re AS - I too resist using witnesses, and have my own custom facts for them and for things like registration (a fact I use for the person who goes to the register office), so I suspect I'd use it in a similar way to you. But as I said, with using FH on its own I haven't got to a point where I start thinking there must be a better way, and I might never get there. Time will tell.

[jimlad68]

Arthur,

If it is any help attached is a copy of my AS backup. (Just go to Tools > restore AS settings.

Might give you some pointers to Sentences, Marriage ASSO + Witness Facts.
The marriage can be complicated, but once setup, the auto facts/detail it provides is excellent.

You can use method 2 , if you must!, but again AS will create as many copies as required. Not sure how it works with extra Facts like residence or Marriage extra witness facts. Experiment, experiment!

I have only set up Census, Baptism, Marriage and Burial.

[tatewise]

Arthur, AS does NOT force you to use Fact Witness Roles, and has options for Custom Facts, Associated Person, Notes, etc, as alternatives.

[arthurk]

Arthur, AS does NOT force you to use Fact Witness Roles, and has options for Custom Facts, Associated Person, Notes, etc, as alternatives.

Yes, I understand that - and it was implicit in what Jim wrote anyway.

But since data entry in FH is already a lot quicker than in my previous program (mainly because of being able to copy and paste facts), I haven't yet felt the need for something that might speed it up even more.