Are you using the new, update Version 2009 (18.0.0.307) Template Feature?
What is your experience with this feature? Good or Bad?
Do you think it gets us, Users of the Family Tree Maker program, into the format of our Source-Citations as outlined in Elizabeth Shown Mills book Evidence Explained?
Frankly I have been so busy correcting all the items that didn't convert properly from FTM 2006 and FTM 2008 on 20,000 records of my 77,000 people, that I hadn't even noticed the Source Template feature! I am glad you mentioned it! Seems like it should have been labeled a bit more, so the specific use of each field that pops up is more clear...
I have tried a few times to use the templates. I found them difficult to use, perhaps because I don't have the book and so have no references to look at. I spent more time trying to drill down through the template choices and figure out which I should use. At this time, I am not using them. I am just adding sources in my own way, trying to be as complete as I can.
What information do you want "not stripped"? The only thing that is NOT included in a GEDCOM file, are Images, But, that is the nature of any GEDCOM file. Other Genealogy programs will read a GEDCOM file from Family Tree Maker. That is the purpose of a GEDCOM file.
Looking at the templates again, maybe it isn't as difficult as I thought. But here is an example: This was a microfilm of Muscatine Co. Iowa Marriage Index and Records from the Family History Library. The information on the film where I found the data for my ancestor was Project # 07000 roll 23 Book 2 p 228. In the citation, I included the information about the marriage as was stated in the index. I also noted that the original material was housed with Muscatine County Iowa Clerk of the District Court.
Another example would be information found on a website, i.e. Muscatine Co. site at IAGenWeb. It is a list of people buried in a cemetery and what was on the tombstone in a table format. I realize that is a secondary source and needs to have something in addition to verify it, but it is a source.
Or a copy of a marriage certificate that I have in my posession. What is the repository? Me?
Maybe that will give you some fodder to work with.
Thanks. I enjoy your other blog and find the screen shots, etc. very helpful. You solved a problem for me once by looking at the screen shots.
The Note about Microfilm from a FHC is from Evidence Explained,Page 53, Paragraph 2.24."... Most of the library's film, fiche, and digital images are not publications but preservation copies ..."
Page 54, Paragraph 2.25 FHL Basic Rule:
Because FHL files are not considered to be publication and are only circulated within its library system rather than sold or given to the public, they are not cites as a publication. ....
Hope that clears up your question. It comes from Evidence Explained.