Help talk:Source pages

When MySource Matches a Community Source

What do I do when there is a match between a source that I have used and one listed in the "official" list of community sources? Thanks! Jillaine 15:30, 8 July 2007 (MDT)

• • As far as I know there are no "official" Source pages. What I do is look to see if there is a Source page that meets the current
    [Source page title criteria]and use this instead of MySource. So far, I have had to always make new Source pages for MySource pages. --Debbie V. 15:54, 8 July 2007 (MDT)
  • The "official" list that I'm talking about is here: Special:Allpages&namespace=104. Jillaine 16:33, 8 July 2007 (MDT)

MySources are for things of personal interest like birth certificates, family bibles, draft cards, etc. Things relevant only to that family. The Sources namespace is for sources of general interest like items available at a library, census and cemetery indexes (there are a little over 1.3 million sources so far). So, if you are using a general source, search for the exact title in the source index. If it is not there, please create a new source page for it. If you are using a personal interest source create a MySource page for it. Then when WeRelate re-crawls the Internet, we will index your new Sources.--sq 23:01, 9 July 2007 (MDT)

Solveig, what do we do in the case of an uploaded GEDCOM where the sources (hundreds of them) are already listed in the page? It appears that the process WeRelate has created takes any sources in a GEDCOM and converts them to a "MySource" for that contributor. Yet, I have a ton of sources that probably belong in or are already listed in WeRelate's sources: US Census, Church records, Tax rolls, published genealogies or histories, etc... What should a user do in THAT case? Thanks. Jillaine 10:03, 10 July 2007 (MDT)

Unfortunately, there are 2 problems here. First, we have little control over what each pedigree manager does when it creates a GEDCOM. Some put all the sources as notes. Second everyone uses a different format. It's next to impossible for the system to match them and get them right all the time. The only solution I can see is to go through the pedigree and fix them. That is a pain I know, but I don't know any other way. Sometime in the future we plan to add a feature that if your GEDCOM lists a source as "Source:" we will try to match it up.--sq 23:43, 10 July 2007 (MDT)

How do I change an item from MySource to a Source page? [10 November 2007]

sources imported with my gedcom were mostly placed as MySource pages by the automated process. Many of these should be a community source page. I do not see the explanation of how to do this on this help page. --Msscarlet1957 22:58, 9 November 2007 (EST)

There is no automated way to do I'm afraid. Dallan may have something planned for the future, but in the mean time, the changes from MySources to Sources will have to be done manually. In the scheme of things, as long as a person can click on the MySource and see all the pertinent bibliographical information, then changing it to a Source is not that much of an advantage. During a Source search, for example, MySources are included in the search as well. Now, if you are still wanting to change over some MySources to Sources, I believe you can just do a simple "Rename" of the page, changing MySource:Title to Source:Title. Some of us have been discussing the Sources, naming conventions, etc if you would like to visit that page: WeRelate talk:Source Committee. --Ronni 01:51, 10 November 2007 (EST)

Thank you for responding.. after I had posted this question I did find this response to my question on another page:--Msscarlet1957 07:01, 10 November 2007 (EST)

Although converting to new namespaces is on the "to do" list, it will be a while. We are very occupied with the match/merge function at the moment. If you would like to add the information to the Source list, you will need to create new Source pages and cut and paste the information. Then go to the MySource page and in the edit box type "#redirect [[Source:name of the page]]" if you want to link the pages. However, if you redirect, you won't be able to access the MySource page anymore, it will automatically go to the new source page. Sorry for the trouble, thanks for your patience.--sq 13:24, 4 October 2007 (EDT)

[deleted by Jillaine 20:11, 2 November 2008 (EST) and moved to Help:Source Titles]

Help Text for Creating Sources Needs Fixing [3 November 2008]

I'm trying to understand the help text for creating sources. Currently it reads:

"Click on the Wiki tab and then on the Sources heading. Under the heading "Go to or Add a source page", type in the desired title for the source page, and click the Add new page button. For example: to create a source page for a website with the title "Genealogy Trails", you would enter "Genealogy Trails" and click the Add new page button. On the edit page that opens, fill in the blanks and save your work."

Well, first off, there is no WIKI tab, so I can't find the rest.

Please advise. Thanks. -- Jillaine 22:39, 2 November 2008 (EST)

Help, I'm stumbling around blind here [29 November 2008]

I have a source in MySources called A History and Genealogy of the Habersham Family. I went to add it to Sources and found that there was an reprint edition of the book in Sources but decided to add another source for the original edition so I could be sure my page references are correct. I also added some comments to the reprint edition about the original edition and that there is a copy in the Atlanta Public Library. I didnt know where to put it, so I put it at the top of the text area. Is this OK?

When I saved I noticed some comment about there being no commentary about this source, so I thought I should try to add some, so I went back into edit. Then I couldn't figure out where the commentary was supposed to go, so I decided to try replacing the "source stub" with my comments about what was in the book. When I saved and looked at the page, the comments were in red and labelled as a "template". Have I done something inappropriate? I didnt find anything about source stubs or templates in the help section. I think I need a basic tutorial about wikis. Do we have one?--Bevbh 23:46, 18 November 2008 (EST)

It looks like I lucked out and my second edition of the same source was allowed because the original one in the database had the subtitle included in the title and I only had the main part, so it wasnt kicked out as a duplicate. Maybe the solution in the future would be to add first edition, second edition, etc to the title.

I was also very pleased that my redirect of the MySource version of the book to the new Source version worked fine.--Bevbh 19:32, 19 November 2008 (EST)

The system thought your comments were a template because you had put them inside braces. Instead, just add your comments to the top of the text area and then go ahead and remove the {{source-stub}} template.

Probably the best place to find out about editing pages is Help:Editing. It doesn't talk about templates though; perhaps you could add something to this page? We're hoping that when people don't understand something, then figure it out, that they add this to the help pages.

On adding first/second edition to the title, we actually want all editions of a book to refer to the same Source page. That way you could link to that Source page and put your specific edition (if you want) in the text of the citation.

I'm glad that the MySource to Source redirect worked out.--Dallan 13:48, 29 November 2008 (EST)

How to site a US Census [6 March 2009]

I'm working on redirecting the bulk of my MySources to appropriate Community Source pages.

It appears that the census source pages are specific to at least the county level, if not the township level.

I have QUITE a lot that are

• "[YEAR] U.S. Federal Census"

or

• "[Year] U.S. Federal Census - [State]"

But I don't see equivalents of this in the Source database. Am I missing something, or do I need to go back and fix the hundreds of too-broadly-sourced records in my tree?

Thanks.

I think.

-- jillaine 21:48, 27 February 2009 (EST)

You don't have to fix them. It's just that the higher-level census pages haven't been created yet. We talked about this earlier and decided that we could have Source pages for federal, state, and county level censuses. Please go ahead and create the higher-level Source pages that you need if you wouldn't mind. Thanks!--Dallan 17:55, 2 March 2009 (EST)

The U.S. Federal Censuses are titled Source:United States. XXXX U.S. Census Population Schedule. So, the 1930 census is at Source:United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule, the 1920 is Source:United_States._1920_U.S._Census_Population_Schedule etc. They can be really hard to find in a search because the county level censuses 'clutter' up the results. Hope this is what you're looking for.--Jennifer (JBS66) 18:03, 2 March 2009 (EST)

Yes, that's still on my todo list :-)--Dallan 19:06, 2 March 2009 (EST)

So in my case, it should be:

• Source:United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule. New York. ?? etc.???

-- jillaine 21:46, 2 March 2009 (EST)

No, it should be Source:United States, New York. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule. See help page on titling census records.. I see there isn't text on the State level there, so I will add it.--Jennifer (JBS66) 05:50, 3 March 2009 (EST)

Got it; thanks. jillaine 07:04, 3 March 2009 (EST)

Amelia has left a message at the Source Page Titles talk page that we are not creating source pages for state level census (just county level). I guess there was a previous discussion & decision on this. --Jennifer (JBS66) 06:34, 4 March 2009 (EST)

Well that takes care of my question. I have far too many state-level source citations to change them. I'm not interested in using my time that way. I'll just leave them as MySources. -- jillaine 09:15, 4 March 2009 (EST)

It might still be worth leaving a comment on that page and weigh-in on this issue.--Dallan 19:25, 6 March 2009 (EST)

Should I be correcting Sources? [27 June 2009]

I realize when I'm adding source citations that often I am selecting sources that are already in WeRelate, but don't yet follow the "rules" for how the Page Title should be formatted. The usual example of this is a Family History Library source that is a book, and should have a page title with the "Author's Name. Book Title" format. Or that is a Vital records source, and should have a page title with "Geography. Record Type/Name."

Often I am editing these sources to add alternate repository info (such as Google Books and NEHGS). Others here don't use the Repository field much, but I like it and find it helpful when I find a new source to be able to figure out if I'm going to be able to find it online or if I need to go to a research center/library.

Should I be correcting the name format at the same time (i.e. renaming the page?) Or will that be done automatically at some future date? These are sources I'm actively using in some way (don't know if that makes a difference or not...).

The sources will be renamed semi-automatically (meaning that the computer will rename the majority of them, but we'll probably need some human oversight) sometime before the end of this year. So it's not necessary for you to rename them now, but it won't hurt either.

Also, I note that often there are multiple versions of what appears to be the same source (and the multiple versions often all come from the Family History Library). This seems to be most likely to be true with a periodical (see Source:Essex antiquarian (53754) and [[Source:Essex antiquarian (805697)], one example). Should I be redirecting one to the other and combining the info? Another example is of course the Ancestry pages that duplicate a Family History Library source. I think I remember reading that somehow these will be addressed at a later date?

Please go ahead and merge duplicate sources when you find them. Merging duplicate sources is going to require much more human involvement than renaming them. I'll end up setting up a special project for it, like the person merge project, which will require humans to review the possible duplicates and merge the ones that are the same.

Thanks- Brenda--Kennebec1 22:36, 25 June 2009 (EDT)

Thank you!--Dallan 16:16, 27 June 2009 (EDT)

Add: Source - fields not saved [28 July 2009]

I used the Add feature to create a new Source.

I filled out many fields, saved it, then looked at the results:

Source:Wilson, Mike. Jackson Family of Prince William Co., Va

Many fields that I filled out are now empty, including:

• Authors (entered "Wilson, Mike")
• Date issued (entered "18 Jul 2008")
• Periodical/Series name (entered "Jackson Surname Message Board")
• References/Cites (entered "Fauquier County Divorce Records")

Why wasn't the data in these fields retained?

jillaine 11:22, 7 July 2009 (EDT)

Did you by any chance navigate away from the page while you were adding the source? --Ajcrow 19:39, 8 July 2009 (EDT)

No, I did not, I entered all the fields, including those above, then clicked on SAVE PAGE and the resulting page excluded what I'd entered in those fields. The fields were there but empty. jillaine 14:26, 9 July 2009 (EDT)

I see from the source talk page that you hadn't select the type of source, and when you did, the fields were saved. That's a bug, sorry. Thank-you for pointing it out! I'll fix it when I return next week.--Dallan 09:53, 13 July 2009 (EDT)

This is fixed now by the way.--Dallan 12:01, 28 July 2009 (EDT)

How to select a match in sources. [20 July 2009]

Re: newly imported GED.

In an effort to switch the MySource to a Source page, or add a Source page, I am having the following problem- - - After I find the correct source in the list

ie: Source:Chicago birth certificates, 1878-1922 - Author: Cook County (Illinois). County Clerk - Title: Chicago birth certificates, 1878-1922

and attempt to "select a possible match below" I am taken to the list of FHL film numbers where I get stuck. I try to select the film number, but it does not highlight/select. After an a frustrating four hour attempt trying to import or copy the source, I need how-to answers. It finally occurred to me that perhaps it might be related to computer/browser inconsistancies. It this Mac related or am I missing a key step in the process. Thank you.--FactFinder 17:49, 19 July 2009 (EDT)

Factfinder,

Something akin to this happened to me as well and I'm also on a Mac. (I use Firefox.)

Once the pull-down menu becomes visible, use your down arrow to highlight the correct item. But do NOT click on it. Instead, hit the TAB key to take you to the next field. You'll see that werelate has accepted what you'd "highlighted".

I now do not remember how I discovered this-- or if someone told me. But that's the only way I can get Werelate to accept something I've highlighted in a pull-down menu.

jillaine 18:01, 19 July 2009 (EDT)

Jillaine,

Thanks for the input. Sometimes using a Mac on the web is challenging. I have tried your work around and am still unsuccessful. I will keep trying. Thanks again.--FactFinder 20:05, 19 July 2009 (EDT)

Factfinder,

I just re-read your initial post, and realize that perhaps we are talking about two different experiences. I was talking about a pull-down menu in a field. But I now wonder if you're talking about after having done a search, you get a page with a variety of possible options, and you need to select one of them for your source. If THAT's the case, look for the "SELECT" button to the left of the name of the source. Click on that, NOT on the name of the source. Is that it? If not, please walk me through what you're trying and what you're seeking and I'll help you solve it. jillaine 20:23, 19 July 2009 (EDT)

Jillaine,

Thanks for responding. I worked another several hours documenting each step I took in the process. As I reviewed my step-by-step monologue I realized it was beyond understanding. Although I appreciate your willingness to help, I'm not even sure I know the correct questions to ask. Werelate is certainly the ideal Genealogy standard, however I find the formatting and editing extremely awkward. (been a Mac person since '87 - I'm spoiled and expect a user-friendly work environments) Think I'll leave my tree in place and wait out the beta period.--FactFinder 02:36, 20 July 2009 (EDT)

Factfinder,

I appreciate the amount of time and energy you've put into trying to understand the situation. I'm sorry it's been so frustrating for you. There is a current effort to re-do the edit page user interface (which includes how sources are entered). (You can read about it here.)

Understanding your experience would be very helpful to this effort. I'm a volunteer here. It's also my background (from a long time ago-- I cut my teeth on Apple ][+ in 1982) to help translate end-user experience to the techies. That said, I appreciate that you've probably spent a lot more time than you care to on this. However, I'm happy to speak with you/walk you through it by phone if you're up to it. If that appeals to you, send me your phone # to jillainedc @ yahoo . com and a good time to call you.

jillaine 08:33, 20 July 2009 (EDT)

Place Format [9 October 2010]

Question regarding the section How do I create a new source page?, under OPTION ONE, sub-section #2 Place. Are the geographical location examples old style? Should the order be reversed, specific to general? --Joe 13:21, 8 October 2010 (EDT)

Glad you caught that. The site has gone through a lot of changes during upgrades and the help pages are still being updated. If you find any more instructions that don't make sense please let me know. Thanks,--Solveig

Lead paragraph [28 April 2011]

The lead paragraph on what's in the source database is now out of date and wrong, since we deleted all the websites. Can someone put in the correct information?--Amelia 23:57, 25 April 2011 (EDT)

Thanks for the catch. I took out the references to message boards and websites.--Dallan 10:58, 28 April 2011 (EDT)

microfilm with multiple titles [30 November 2012]

I have made my first attempt at creating a Source page but I'm not satisfied with it and the more I look at it, the less I like it.

Here is the problem: I am working with microfilm of the Town Records of Long Island. Each microfilm contains more than one book or set of records. Should I be creating a new source page for each item or book on a particular microfilm as if it were a separate book that I had pulled off the shelf or do I create one page for the entire roll? Some rolls cover more than one geographical are while other geographical areas take more than one roll of film.

Here is the URL as I currently have it: http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Flatbush%2C_Kings%2C_New_York%2C_United_States._Town_Records_of_Flatbush

I am now wanting to add another link which is from a different book or item on the same reel but it isn't going to turn out right because the title will be wrong. Any suggestions?--Renee Dauven 13:20, 30 November 2012 (EST)

The books you pull off the shelf are the right analogy. If these are separate documents that are only on one film by coincidence, then they get separate source pages. If they are different volumes of the same work, then we usually have all volumes on one source page unless that would be even more confusing (e.g., some series have different titles for different volumes). Thanks! -Amelia 13:33, 30 November 2012 (EST)

Thanks, Amelia. I think that I now have it a form that is much more understandable as well as usable, at least that is my hope.--Renee Dauven 15:46, 30 November 2012 (EST)

Have these instructions been updated somewhere else? [4 December 2019]

I am on "Help: Sources Pages", Frequently Asked Questions.

The second item is titled "How do I find a page for a source?" The directions are:

   Click on the Search menu in the upper left menu bar and select Sources. Or click on the search button at the upper right and click source on Namespace. 

I can't see the word "search" on the left of any ordinary page like a person page or a place page. The search button on the upper right requires the user to enter some text, not to select from a pre-determined set of choices.

Has the setup of pages been revised but not the FAQ? The page history shows that the FAQ has not been touched since 2012.

I'm confused.--Goldenoldie 10:49, 4 December 2019 (UTC)