General Methodology

Comment

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on September 3, 2021 at 12:25pm

Gaynol - I like that. Using the "Small caps" feature under the Font settings will capitalize surnames without being so distracting. 

Comment by Gaynol Fales PLCGS on September 3, 2021 at 12:11pm

I seems from what I've heard in methodology chats that capitalization is losing ground as being the standard unless it is to avoid confusion, such as differentiating the surname JAMES from the given name James. But I know consistency of your choice is critical within the project being written.

For my own usage, I find it depends on what I'm doing. If I'm tracing a single parental line, I may capitalize that surname so it's easy to follow through the  research report or history report, I also do this if I'm  proving a female line lineage link to a specific woman because it makes it easier for me to follow the trail of maiden names.

I've sometimes seen ancestor and descendant reports written with only the parents' surnames of each family group being capitalized. If find this does make it easier to find a family if I'm looking for the section of a specific couple.

I know a recent methodology chat talked about how it helps readability when the all-caps are a point or two smaller than the content's default font.

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on September 3, 2021 at 11:55am

Hi Drew

yes, I was taught to use Caps for surnames and still see it being used. It does make it easier to pick out Surnames in a long article in a Newsletter, for example. (My genealogy society newsletter still uses it) Some people find it distracting. Others only use it to highlight their own surname lines. Using Capitalized Surnames in their own tree or in their software program, makes it easier to see their ancestors in family groups. It is a personal preference. 

For public trees with multiple users, surnames should just have the first letter capitalized. For a query in a research forum, you may want to capitalize the surname you are focused on to catch the attention of those skimming through. I would follow what each platform is asking, but customize your own research to what works best for you. 

For professional genealogy reports, follow the current guidelines for best practices and standards as presented by Professional Genealogists, APG and BCG, etc. 

Comment by Drew von Hasselbach on September 3, 2021 at 11:26am

Hello.

The methodology part 4 materials say we should capitalize surnames.

I remember when that was a thing with older programs, like PAF. But is this still considered a best practice? I know familysearch.org now asks for "normal capitalization" with surnames — that is, caps only on the first letter, lowercase for the rest. 

The materials (at p 24) say uppercase makes it easier to find names in reports and to distinguish last names from first names. While I take the point, I've never found charts or reports that use normal capitalization all that hard to use. But I'm curious what others think. 

Drew

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on August 9, 2021 at 9:22am

August Virtual Meeting
**NEW Date**
Methodology: The “How To” Courses with Gena Philibert-Ortega MA, MAR
Monday, August 30th at 4:30 PM EDT                           
Time Zone Convertor: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

MEETING LOCATION: 
https://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/methodology/ 
These sessions are FREE and you do not have to be a current or past student to attend. NO USER NAME or PASSWORD REQUIRED. Please type in your first name and surname initial, along with your geographic location; then click “Enter as a Guest”

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on August 7, 2021 at 12:10am

August Virtual Meeting
Methodology: The “How To” Courses with Brenda Wheeler PLCGS
Wednesday, August 18th at 6 AM EDT 
Time Zone Convertor: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

MEETING LOCATION: 
https://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/methodology/ 
This session is for the convenience of our students in Australasia. They are FREE and you do not have to be a current or past student to attend. NO USER NAME or PASSWORD REQUIRED. Please type in your first name and surname initial, along with your geographic location; then click “Enter as a Guest”
NOTE: It is recommended that attendees make sure their Adobe Connect app is up-to-date before the session.

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on July 20, 2021 at 9:14pm

July Virtual Meeting
Methodology: The “How To” Courses with Gena Philibert-Ortega MA, MAR
Thursday, July 29th at 1 PM EDT
Time Zone Convertor: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

MEETING LOCATION: 
https://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/methodology/ 
These sessions are FREE and you do not have to be a current or past student to attend. NO USER NAME or PASSWORD REQUIRED. Please type in your first name and surname initial, along with your geographic location; then click “Enter as a Guest”

NOTE: It is recommended that attendees make sure their Adobe Connect app is up-to-date before the session.

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on July 12, 2021 at 8:23pm

July Virtual Meeting
Methodology: The “How To” Courses with Brenda Wheeler PLCGS
Tuesday, July 13th at 7:30 PM EDT
Time Zone Convertor: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

MEETING LOCATION: 
https://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/methodology/ 
These sessions are FREE and you do not have to be a current or past student to attend. NO USER NAME or PASSWORD REQUIRED. Please type in your first name and surname initial, along with your geographic location; then click “Enter as a Guest”
NOTE: It is recommended that attendees make sure their Adobe Connect app is up-to-date before the session.

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on June 13, 2021 at 12:48am

June Virtual Meeting
Methodology: The “How To” Courses with Gena Philibert-Ortega MA, MAR
Sunday, June 13th at 8 PM EDT
Time Zone Convertor: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

MEETING LOCATION: 
https://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/methodology/ 
These sessions are FREE and you do not have to be a current or past student to attend. NO USER NAME or PASSWORD REQUIRED. Please type in your first name and surname initial, along with your geographic location; then click “Enter as a Guest”
NOTE: It is recommended that attendees make sure their Adobe Connect app is up-to-date before the session.

Comment by Cheryl Levy PLCGS on May 14, 2021 at 9:56pm

Methodology: The “How To” Courses with Gena Philibert-Ortega MA, MAR
Wednesday, May 26th at 5 PM EDT
Time Zone Convertor: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

MEETING LOCATION: 
https://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/methodology/ 
These sessions are FREE and you do not have to be a current or past student to attend. NO USER NAME or PASSWORD REQUIRED. Please type in your first name and surname initial, along with your geographic location; then click “Enter as a Guest”
NOTE: It is recommended that attendees make sure their Adobe Connect app is up-to-date before the session.

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