Our use of the word "ancestor" on this blog (and my other blogs) will be used as a reference to someone from whom a person descends. This does not usually includes aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. unless there is some sort of double kinship.
I realize that others may have a more broad view of this word. This definition parallels those of several online dictionaries and is consistent with how I have used the word since I started my genealogy research.
Showing posts with label style guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label style guide. Show all posts
13 May 2014
19 April 2014
Our Informal Style Guide--Image Provenance
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| George & Ida (Sargent) Trautvetter family, Adams County, Illinois about 1920 |
All images made from original records and photographs will include source information. We're not in the habit of formulating them in academically format, but there will be sufficient detail for people to know where the image originated. There's two reasons for this:
- it's faster--at least for me
- it's a format that readers can more easily emulate and I'd rather people had source details on their images in "unacademic" format than nothing. I'm not trying to scare people off with citations.
We're not putting that information in the caption. Why?
If people copy and paste the image the caption doesn't come with it as a part of the "paste." That's why it's been added to the image---making it easier for someone who uses the image to include the citation.
This helps me, too. Then if I view an old blog post I know exactly where the image came from. No one can remember everything.
15 April 2014
Our Use of the Word "Proof"
I've been muddling over the concept of a style guide for some time now. Not because I like to sit down and write definitions, but because I believe that it makes for clearer and more consistent writing. It is important to say what you mean, mean what you say, and know what you are saying.
I know that few genealogy blogs do not have a style guide and that's really of no concern to me. An earlier blog post discussed how we are handling the distinction between homestead and homeplace.
The word "proof" is another word that genealogists and others throw around. "I have proof of this or I have proof of that." Usually what they mean is that they have one record or piece of paper that says something--usually what they were hoping it would say. I'm no different. I get excited when a piece of paper or a record says what I want it to say. But the excitement needs to wane so that the analysis can begin. And the analysis consists of more than simply typing up the record and saying it is true.
While I'm still refining some concepts in my head, use of the word "proof" on my blogs will mean that I have looked at all the available information (after performing an exhaustive search) have concluded that a certain statement is true based upon what I have located. That's not quite how the BCG manual defines proof in Genealogy Standards, but it's going to be the definition I use on my blogs.
Proof as a noun
Material from an exhaustive search, that when combined with analysis, logic, and reasoning supports a genealogical statement.
Prove as a verb
To write a proof or go through the process of gathering information from which a proof can be made. We will refrain from using "prove" as a verb until the material has been gathered and the analysis has been done.
We may tweak this definition as necessary. If we do, we'll simply strikeout the original and put the new text in red. That way later readers can see our thought process a little more clearly.
I know that few genealogy blogs do not have a style guide and that's really of no concern to me. An earlier blog post discussed how we are handling the distinction between homestead and homeplace.
The word "proof" is another word that genealogists and others throw around. "I have proof of this or I have proof of that." Usually what they mean is that they have one record or piece of paper that says something--usually what they were hoping it would say. I'm no different. I get excited when a piece of paper or a record says what I want it to say. But the excitement needs to wane so that the analysis can begin. And the analysis consists of more than simply typing up the record and saying it is true.
While I'm still refining some concepts in my head, use of the word "proof" on my blogs will mean that I have looked at all the available information (after performing an exhaustive search) have concluded that a certain statement is true based upon what I have located. That's not quite how the BCG manual defines proof in Genealogy Standards, but it's going to be the definition I use on my blogs.
Proof as a noun
Material from an exhaustive search, that when combined with analysis, logic, and reasoning supports a genealogical statement.
Prove as a verb
To write a proof or go through the process of gathering information from which a proof can be made. We will refrain from using "prove" as a verb until the material has been gathered and the analysis has been done.
We may tweak this definition as necessary. If we do, we'll simply strikeout the original and put the new text in red. That way later readers can see our thought process a little more clearly.
12 April 2014
Homestead Versus Homeplace
Words that have different meanings can confuse people. Homestead is one of those words. Sometimes it even gets confused with "homeplace."
For this reason, I've written this short "style-guide" for how I'm going to use "homestead" and "homeplace."
Homestead as a noun:
Homestead as a noun will be used in two ways on this blog. One is in reference to an actual parcel of real property acquired by someone via the procedure set forth in the United States under the Homestead Act of 1862 (and amendments). The second is in reference to that portion of an individual's real property to which they have certain rights as their residence. For those with farming ancestors, this concept of homestead usually refers to the residence and a portion of the farm, but not usually to the entire farm. A surviving spouse may also have some legal rights to the homestead portion of a farm, even if there are unsettled debts. The legal concept of homestead allows property tax relief in some states. State statute in the state of interest should spell out these rights more clearly than I am here.
Homestead as a verb:
When I use homestead as a verb it means to participate in the process of acquiring title to real property in the federal domain of the United States under the Homestead Act of 1862 (and amendments).
Homestead and homeplace have similar meanings. When I talk about the first farm my ancestors purchased from a fellow German couple in the 1880s in Illinois and where they lived their entire married life, I am talking about the "homeplace." They acquired it through direct purchase and did not "homestead" it. When I am talking about this entire farm, I'll use the word "homeplace."
Some may see it as a minor distinction, but we're going to make this distinction going forward. When the word "homestead" is used in the above two contexts, there may be records of that "homestead" (either federal land records or potentially local court action to have the specific property that constitutes the homestead clearly surveyed and marked).
And it is always about locating records!
This post is based in part on definitions obtained at:
For this reason, I've written this short "style-guide" for how I'm going to use "homestead" and "homeplace."
Homestead as a noun:
Homestead as a noun will be used in two ways on this blog. One is in reference to an actual parcel of real property acquired by someone via the procedure set forth in the United States under the Homestead Act of 1862 (and amendments). The second is in reference to that portion of an individual's real property to which they have certain rights as their residence. For those with farming ancestors, this concept of homestead usually refers to the residence and a portion of the farm, but not usually to the entire farm. A surviving spouse may also have some legal rights to the homestead portion of a farm, even if there are unsettled debts. The legal concept of homestead allows property tax relief in some states. State statute in the state of interest should spell out these rights more clearly than I am here.
Homestead as a verb:
When I use homestead as a verb it means to participate in the process of acquiring title to real property in the federal domain of the United States under the Homestead Act of 1862 (and amendments).
Homestead and homeplace have similar meanings. When I talk about the first farm my ancestors purchased from a fellow German couple in the 1880s in Illinois and where they lived their entire married life, I am talking about the "homeplace." They acquired it through direct purchase and did not "homestead" it. When I am talking about this entire farm, I'll use the word "homeplace."
Some may see it as a minor distinction, but we're going to make this distinction going forward. When the word "homestead" is used in the above two contexts, there may be records of that "homestead" (either federal land records or potentially local court action to have the specific property that constitutes the homestead clearly surveyed and marked).
And it is always about locating records!
This post is based in part on definitions obtained at:
- http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homestead
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