Questions and Answers for a Genealogy Computer Program

Genealogy Research

1. What are at least two important functions of a genealogy computer program that helps you organize your information?
   
   
2. Where would you locate previous research on a family?
   
   
3. Should you automatically accept a family pedigree from the World Family Tree as a proven source?
   
   
4. Should you accept a published family history as a proven source?
5. How should you record your research results?
   
   
6. Why is it important to record sources that have negative results?
   
   
7. What is the purpose of the research planner?

Answers

1. What are at least two important functions of a genealogy computer program that helps you organize your information?The five most important computer software functions are:
   • Enter individuals easily
   • Link individuals together easily
   • Allow for as many notes as necessary
   • Share information with others
   • Download (copy) files from others
2. Where would you locate previous research on a family?Genealogy.com's Family Finder search (historical data on CD and online), Family Search (Ancestral File, International Genealogical Index, and the Surname section of the Family History Library Catalog), and the Library of Congress (published family histories).
   
   
3. Should you automatically accept a family pedigree from the World Family Tree as a proven source?No. You should contact the contributor and ask for a copy of their sources. Then check the sources of the information for yourself before accepting it.
   
   
4. Should you accept a published family history as a proven source?No. Again, just as with the information from World Family Tree, you should check the sources before accepting them.
   
   
5. How should you record your research results?Using a computer program such as Family Tree Maker is the easiest way, but it can be done on paper. Whichever way you record the results, they should refer to photocopies or sources you have used, and where they might be found.
   
   
6. Why is it important to record sources that have negative results?A research planner records all the essential information in a particular source. This includes what information you were searching for and all the particulars surrounding it.
   
   
7. What is the purpose of the research planner?A research planner records all the essential information in a particular source. This includes what information you were searching for and all the particulars surrounding it.