There is one point of clarification that I would like to make: although the technology exists today to do this type of “one click” citation it has not been implemented. What I showed was a prototype proving that it was possible. What needs to happen next is for online organizations (like Ancestry, FamilySearch, World Vital Records, Footnote, GenSeek, etc.) and genealogy software companies (like the makers of RootsMagic, Legacy, and Family Tree Maker) to agree on a file format and implement it. The online organizations would need to start providing a file with a download link for each source on their site and the genealogy database applications would need to support importing of the files. One could view the video as a tutorial of how things could be. That is precisely why it is so important to get the word out.

This is a grassroots effort from the genealogy community to let genealogy software and service providers know what we want. Citing sources is important to us. There are inconsistencies and other problems that need to be solved. Let’s find a way to get together and solve them. I am just one voice trying to spotlight an issue and provide a way for others to get their voices heard. We have had 200 respondents to the individual survey with
83% classifying themselves as non-professional genealogists.

Here are a few more statistics:

88% of respondents say that citing sources is very important with the remaining 12% saying it is important. 77% say they find citing sources difficult or very difficult. When asked if there should be one standard citation style for genealogy, 90% responded in the affirmative. Respondents used Evidence Explained the most (62%) as a guide for genealogy research. The two most used online genealogy sites are Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. It would be great if one of those would join in support of this effort. When asked “Does the ability to click a link on a website and have the source citation imported into your genealogy software interest you?” 84% said they were very interested with an additional 10% saying they were interested. Instead of 1100 views of the YouTube video, I would like to see 10,000 with at least 1000 filling out the survey. Maybe at that point this effort will have enough momentum to really get moving.  Is that too much to ask from the genealogy community?

One surprising and disappointing statistic is the low numbers taking the company and organization survey; only 4.  All 4 felt that citing sources were very important and all would be willing to participate in the cause.

Once again I want to thank Dick Eastman for his contributions to the genealogy community on this and many other issues.

Keep spreading the word and let your voice be heard.

One point that I brought up in today’s visit that is an issue with not just Footnote, but also FamilySearch, Ancestry, World Vital Records, and other online database/document sites is that there is a lack of consistency with source citations.  For example, the same census document could have different citations on different sites and none of the citations follow the format in either of Elizabeth Shown Mills’ works: Evidence! or Evidence Explained.  When I download an image from one of these sites, I should get automatic source citation in my desktop genealogy application as well as additional details such as source provenance.  It should be very easy.  To modify a phrase from an action movie: “With great source repositories, comes great responsibility.”

 It is very encouraging to see companies like Footnote take an interest in what its members and potential members care about.  I was impressed by the Footnote team and site and get the feeling that the innovation hasn’t stopped yet.

As an added bonus, I got to meet Dick Eastman.  Overall, what a great experience!

“I think this fellow Mark is a thinking man’s genealogist. Ol’ Myrt here wants to spend time talking with him personally about innovation and communication in the world of genealogy. Get him together in a room with Paul Allen, Dick Eastman, Beau Sharbrough; then throw in a few CGs & AGs and – wow! What we could dream up!”

I would really enjoy talking with you as well.  I love your meeting idea and would be honored by such an invitation.

Mark

Compare the tree diagrams for yourself:

MacFamilyTree 5 beta

Microsoft’s Family.Show

The latest updates to genealogy software appear to have at least a graphic designer (if not a user experience designer) on the team.