HELP - Ancestral File - Pedigree Chart
HELP - Ancestral File - Pedigree Chart |
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Ancestral File is a collection of over 35 million names linked into family groups and pedigrees. The records include information voluntarily contributed by thousands of individuals around the world since 1978. The file includes:
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When Should I Use the Pedigree Chart?
Use the Pedigree Chart when you want to:
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To use the Pedigree Chart, click the:
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How Do I Download a Pedigree Chart?
You can download information from pedigree charts and family group records to your computer. Downloading requires Java Script-enabled browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The information will be downloaded in GEDCOM format, which can be used with Personal Ancestral File and other family history record-keeping software.
To Begin Downloading:
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Tips for Using the Pedigree Chart
1. Verify accuracy. All information in Ancestral File has been contributed by individuals and has not been verified for accuracy. To verify that the information in Ancestral File is accurate, you may want to:
2. Focus on deceased relatives. To protect privacy rights, the word "LIVING" is displayed on records of people born less than 95 years ago who do not have a death date in the file. When "LIVING" appears on a record, look for the record of a relative who is not living.
3. Study family relationships. Click on the Family buttons, and look at family relationships to determine if this is the person you are looking for.
4. Contact submitters and researchers. The Submitter(s) section of an individual record tells you who contributed the information and lists the names of other people who are interested in knowing more about the person. Contact these people to find out more about the information on the record.
5. Check other family group records. If the person you are looking for does not appear on a family group, look for the person on another family group. For example, if you cannot find Sara Jones as a child on the family group with Richard Jones and Mary Wadley as parents, search and find Richard Jones's record, and click the Family button. This time a family group appears with Ellen Dean (a second wife), and Sara listed as a child.
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I Can't Find the Person I Am Looking For. Now What?
1. Choose another record.
2. Refine your search for the person.
3. Search for other family members. If you can't find the person you are looking for, try searching for other family members, such as a parent, sibling, or spouse.
4. Try using a different search method. You may want to try searching a different database. Follow the steps below to choose another database:
You can also search web sites for general topics, such as military history or cemeteries. From the Search tab, click Web Sites; then choose one of the following options:
5. Search the Family History Library Catalog. The catalog lists additional records that are not available on the Internet but are available at local family history centers. The catalog lists:
Close Help and Go to the Family History Library Catalog.
6. Look in Research Guidance. This tool helps you decide what records to use to find information about your ancestor. It lists the best records to use, recommends the order in which to search them, provides step-by-step instructions for finding information in the records, and tells you where the copies of the records may be located.
Close Help and Go to Research Guidance.
7. Browse other genealogical sites. You may find it helpful to use other Internet resources. Major Internet genealogical sites are listed in the Key Genealogical Sites category.
Close Help and Go to Key Genealogical Sites.
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What is Ancestral File? Ancestral File is a collection of over 35 million names linked into family groups and pedigrees. Thousands of individuals from around the world have voluntarily contributed the information since 1978. The file includes:
Is Ancestral File on the Internet the same as Ancestral File on compact disc at a Family History Center? No. On the Internet, records of living people have been excluded except to show relationships. LDS ordinance data has also been excluded, and the way the information is displayed on the screen is different.
Why are some fields blank? The person who contributed the information to Ancestral File did not provide any information for the field.
How do I see more information? You can usually see more information about the person or the person's family by clicking on any underlined name or clicking on the Family or Pedigree buttons.
I'm sure someone has contributed my family information. Why can't I find it? There are several possible explanations:
Search for your family information in the other record collections in Family Search Internet Genealogy Service. If you still cannot locate the information, the information may have been included in family history collections that are not online. For more information:
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Details about Each Part of the Screen
Individual: The box lists the birth, death, and marriage date and place for an individual. Missing information was not submitted. Dates or places in brackets, such as <1850>, were estimated by the computer. Click on a name to see the detailed information for this person.
Download GEDCOM button: Click to begin downloading the portion of the pedigree chart that appears on the screen and the records of any siblings. To download other portions of the pedigree, click the arrows at either end of the pedigree until the portion you want to download is displayed on the screen. Then click the Download GEDCOM button.
Family button: Click on a Family button to see a family group record showing information about the person's parents and siblings.
Pedigree lines: Each individual is connected to his or her father (top) and mother (bottom). If a space is blank, no information was submitted for that individual.
Arrows: Click on an arrow at the right of the pedigree chart to see the names of more ancestors. To return, use the Back button on your browser.
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