Lesson One - Computers

There are two basic personal computers in use at the present time. The first is the PC which was originally developed by IBM, but is now manufactured in many forms, by many different companies, and usually operated with some type of Microsoft Operating System (OS). The second is the MacIntosh developed by Apple Inc, and usually operating with the Mac OSX Operating System. Either unit will provide what is needed to collect, organize review and print Genealogy data.

We use a MacIntosh computer to compile our data, and output it in several forms. We believe it is the easiest system to use, especially for someone just starting with a computer and in Genealogy. So, for someone just starting in Genealogy, and looking to purchase their first computer we would recommend a MacIntosh. The MacIntosh is often a little more expensive than the PCs available, but they are much simpler and easier to use.

With that said, if the student already has a computer, use what is available. Genealogy software will be needed to compile the Genealogy data. We will cover that subject in the paragraph below.

Genealogy Software

The software on your computer is what makes your computer work and Genealogy software will allow you to enter all the data you have collected on your family. There are many different versions of Genealogy software, and probably no single software package will do everything that you may want. Most Genealogy software will allow you to enter your family information and print out different types of reports, timelines, family data and upload your data to a web site. There is quite a price range for Genealogy software. Usually the more one pays for the software the greater number of features will be included. There is another whole section on software and link to a web page reviewing the major Genealogy Software. Any of these can be purchased for under $100. Many of the companies that provide Genealogy Software will allow you to down load a trial version which allows you to try the software before you purchase it. Click on the Software link above, or go to the menu at the top of this page, under information, and click on Software.

Entering Data

At a minimum, genealogy software collects the date and place of an individual's birth, marriage, and death, and stores the relationships of individuals to their parents, spouses, and children. Some programs are more flexible than others in allowing for the input of children born out of wedlock or for varying types of spousal relation-ships. Additionally, most genealogy programs handle additional events in an individual's life, notes, photographs multimedia data, and source citations. Genealogy software programs can produce a variety of graphical charts and text reports, such as pedigree charts, ahnentafel reports, and register reports. For more information on forms available to make genealogy data collecting easier click on the above link, or go to the Information tab at the top of this page and click on Genealogy Forms.

Some desktop applications generate HTML pages for web publishing; there are stand-alone web software applications, as well.

Most genealogy programs can import and export using the GEDCOM standard. This allows genealogy data to be passed from one genealogy software program to another with little loss of the documentation. This allows a person to start genealogy, and purchase an inexpensive software program, and later purchase a new software program, and transfer all the data to the new software (See our Web Page on GEDCOM).

When entering the information on your Ancestors, also provide information on the source of that data. A few of the possible sources are the following:

• Personal Interview
• Vital Statistic Documents (Birth Certificate, Marriage License, etc.)
• Census Records
• E-mail
• Newspapers