FamilySearch Wiki:Guiding Principles - Revision history

Averyld: added link

2013-02-12T21:22:50Z

added link

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:22, 12 February 2013
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	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. Pages should not be slanted overwhelmingly to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. Do not direct researchers to an expensive source when a free one will suffice.  Recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.		That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. Pages should not be slanted overwhelmingly to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. Do not direct researchers to an expensive source when a free one will suffice.  Recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.
		+
		+	For further information regarding advertising, see the [[FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Professional Genealogists#Marketing_appropriately_on_FamilySearch_Wiki\|Professional Genealogists]] page regarding advertising and marketing.
		+
		+	<br>

	=== Code of Conduct ===		=== Code of Conduct ===

Lotje2: navbox

2012-07-24T08:59:30Z

navbox

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:59, 24 July 2012
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	=== Learn More ===		=== Learn More ===

−	{{policies and guidelines}}	+	{{policies and guidelines}} {{Contributor help-navbox}}

	[[Category:FamilySearch_Wiki_policies_and_guidelines\|{{PAGENAME}}]]		[[Category:FamilySearch_Wiki_policies_and_guidelines\|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Lotje2: bread crumb

2012-07-22T18:55:28Z

bread crumb

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 22 July 2012
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−	~~Return to~~ [[~~Main Page~~]]	+	{\| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" align="right" width="280"
		+	\|-
		+	\| [[Help:Guiding principles and policies\|Return to Guiding principles and policies]]
		+	\|}<br><br><br>

	'''Purpose and Scope'''		'''Purpose and Scope'''

VasquezJL: simplified opening

2012-05-11T16:53:53Z

simplified opening

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 11 May 2012
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−	Return to [[Main Page]]	+	Return to [[Main Page]]

	'''Purpose and Scope'''		'''Purpose and Scope'''

−	~~In conjunction with the mission of FamilySearch, the~~ Research Wiki is a ~~collaborative, shared-knowledge project designed~~ to ~~encourage~~ and ~~eventually enable all people~~ to ~~find their ancestors~~. ~~The Research~~ Wiki ~~uses collaboration tools to form a community for sharing~~ knowledge ~~from which users may gather needed information to help locate~~ and ~~use records about ancestors~~. ~~As part of the~~ collaboration ~~tools~~, ~~some record indexes~~ and ~~also basic information about local Family History Centers that~~ can ~~offer geographical research assistance are also available in the Wiki~~.	+	The Research Wiki is a tool to allow individuals to come together and teach the world about how to do genealogy research. As a Wiki, anyone can share their knowledge in specific areas and topics. Through collaboration, sharing, open-edit, and forums the community can build an incredible, high-quality resource to help more researchers than single individuals can do on their own.

−	~~Ancestral research requires extensive knowledge of cultures and historical sources specific~~ to ~~each region, and each ethnic, religious, or political group. Such information is often written in~~ a ~~foreign language. Expertise on those various cultures and historical sources may be widespread and varied. Through collaboration, sharing, open-edit, and forums~~ the community ~~can build enough high-quality knowledge~~ to ~~help more family history researchers~~.	+	As a contributor community, we follow these 6 guilding principles to ensure we are working together to create a tool the researching community will be excited to use.<br>
−		+
−	~~== FamilySearch Research Wiki: Six Guiding Principles ==~~	+

	=== Free ===		=== Free ===

−	As a not-for-profit entity, FamilySearch fundamentally requires that all its products and services be free of charge to everyone.	+	As a not-for-profit entity, FamilySearch fundamentally requires that all its products and services be free of charge to everyone.

−	All content on the Research Wiki is covered under a [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Creative Commons license], which states that anyone can use this content, with proper citations (Attribution), under the same or similar license (Share Alike). Each page in the wiki includes a [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/ CC-BY-SA] graphic that links to the specific license.	+	All content on the Research Wiki is covered under a [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Creative Commons license], which states that anyone can use this content, with proper citations (Attribution), under the same or similar license (Share Alike). Each page in the wiki includes a [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/ CC-BY-SA] graphic that links to the specific license.

−	Additionally, there will never be a charge to the user to have access to any of the content on the Research Wiki.	+	Additionally, there will never be a charge to the user to have access to any of the content on the Research Wiki.

−	However, articles in the Research Wiki can include links to records and other sources on the Internet that may charge an access or registration fee, as long as the user has a clear choice whether to pay it or not.	+	However, articles in the Research Wiki can include links to records and other sources on the Internet that may charge an access or registration fee, as long as the user has a clear choice whether to pay it or not.

	=== Sources and Delimiters ===		=== Sources and Delimiters ===

−	Articles should [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable\|cite authoritative, verifiable sources]] whenever possible. Any un-sourced material may be challenged and removed. Limit discussion of religion, politics, ethnicity, culture, and history to those aspects which affect family history research or record keeping. The Research Wiki does not have copies of the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Link, don’t copy\|source documents]] themselves (except a few pages as examples). Do not include details about specific ancestors, or individual [[FamilySearch Wiki:Biographies\|biographies]] (except as examples on a record, or as case studies to illustrate a process or principle).	+	Articles should [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable\|cite authoritative, verifiable sources]] whenever possible. Any un-sourced material may be challenged and removed. Limit discussion of religion, politics, ethnicity, culture, and history to those aspects which affect family history research or record keeping. The Research Wiki does not have copies of the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Link, don’t copy\|source documents]] themselves (except a few pages as examples). Do not include details about specific ancestors, or individual [[FamilySearch Wiki:Biographies\|biographies]] (except as examples on a record, or as case studies to illustrate a process or principle).

	=== Neutral Point of View ===		=== Neutral Point of View ===

−	The Research Wiki must be written from a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Neutral point of view\|neutral point of view]], representing fairly, and as far as possible without bias, all significant views of family history related topics that have been published by reliable sources. This allows those who will come to use and depend on the knowledge contained within the Research Wiki, to see and try all techniques and suggestions for finding records about their ancestors. Neutral point of view also requires the citation of sources that are authoritative and verifiable. Avoid unduly personal points of view, personal opinion, personal experiences, or arguments. The Research Wiki is not a soapbox, a place to include personal testimonials, or stories of research success, or an advertising platform. Avoid being dogmatic. Overly religious, political, ethnic, cultural, historic, and nationalistic discussions tend to be biased, one-sided, and rarely apply to family history research, records, or instruction. The best way to avoid being personal or dogmatic is to write with a neutral point of view and cite authoritative sources for the ideas you express. Strive to fairly explain any competing points of view that differ from your own. Even though this site is sponsored by a religious entity, it is neither reviewed nor correlated for doctrinal correctness, and therefore, should not become a forum for doctrinal discussions or discourses—even ones that are purely informational in nature. Other sites may exist for this purpose, especially [http://www.lds.org lds.org] and may be linked to from within the Research Wiki.	+	The Research Wiki must be written from a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Neutral point of view\|neutral point of view]], representing fairly, and as far as possible without bias, all significant views of family history related topics that have been published by reliable sources. This allows those who will come to use and depend on the knowledge contained within the Research Wiki, to see and try all techniques and suggestions for finding records about their ancestors. Neutral point of view also requires the citation of sources that are authoritative and verifiable. Avoid unduly personal points of view, personal opinion, personal experiences, or arguments. The Research Wiki is not a soapbox, a place to include personal testimonials, or stories of research success, or an advertising platform. Avoid being dogmatic. Overly religious, political, ethnic, cultural, historic, and nationalistic discussions tend to be biased, one-sided, and rarely apply to family history research, records, or instruction. The best way to avoid being personal or dogmatic is to write with a neutral point of view and cite authoritative sources for the ideas you express. Strive to fairly explain any competing points of view that differ from your own. Even though this site is sponsored by a religious entity, it is neither reviewed nor correlated for doctrinal correctness, and therefore, should not become a forum for doctrinal discussions or discourses—even ones that are purely informational in nature. Other sites may exist for this purpose, especially [http://www.lds.org lds.org] and may be linked to from within the Research Wiki.

	=== Spam-Free ===		=== Spam-Free ===
Line 31:		Line 29:
	As a tool designed to guide users to the best sources of genealogical information, the wiki has some sensitivity around the topic of [[FamilySearch Wiki:Linking\|linking]] to commercial Websites. Like any librarian, wiki contributors writing an article on Ohio death records will recommend a variety of good sources for these records, including free sources (like FamilySearch Historical Records Collections, RootsWeb or U.S. GenWeb) or fee-based sources (like Ancestry, Heritage Quest, microfilms at Family History Centers, or even a government records office). The idea is to recommend sources in the order that the user might want to find them, taking into consideration the audience's budget, time constraints, and desire for instant gratification.		As a tool designed to guide users to the best sources of genealogical information, the wiki has some sensitivity around the topic of [[FamilySearch Wiki:Linking\|linking]] to commercial Websites. Like any librarian, wiki contributors writing an article on Ohio death records will recommend a variety of good sources for these records, including free sources (like FamilySearch Historical Records Collections, RootsWeb or U.S. GenWeb) or fee-based sources (like Ancestry, Heritage Quest, microfilms at Family History Centers, or even a government records office). The idea is to recommend sources in the order that the user might want to find them, taking into consideration the audience's budget, time constraints, and desire for instant gratification.

−	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. Pages should not be slanted overwhelmingly to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. Do not direct researchers to an expensive source when a free one will suffice.  Recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.	+	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. Pages should not be slanted overwhelmingly to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. Do not direct researchers to an expensive source when a free one will suffice.  Recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.

	=== Code of Conduct ===		=== Code of Conduct ===

−	The FamilySearch Research Wiki has a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines\|code of conduct]] similar to that of other large wikis. It includes respect for all of your fellow users, even when you may not agree with what they say. Those who contribute content or edit existing content must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse\|civil]] and avoid conflicts of interest, [[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks\|personal attacks]], labeling of others, broad sweeping generalizations, stereotyping, etc. They should seek for consensus and [[FamilySearch Wiki:Avoid Edit Wars\|avoid edit wars]] — follow the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Three-revert rule\|three-revert rule]]. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith\|Assume good faith]] on the part of others, be warm and open in your speech. Profanity or profane slang will not be accepted in any form or language.	+	The FamilySearch Research Wiki has a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines\|code of conduct]] similar to that of other large wikis. It includes respect for all of your fellow users, even when you may not agree with what they say. Those who contribute content or edit existing content must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse\|civil]] and avoid conflicts of interest, [[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks\|personal attacks]], labeling of others, broad sweeping generalizations, stereotyping, etc. They should seek for consensus and [[FamilySearch Wiki:Avoid Edit Wars\|avoid edit wars]] — follow the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Three-revert rule\|three-revert rule]]. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith\|Assume good faith]] on the part of others, be warm and open in your speech. Profanity or profane slang will not be accepted in any form or language.

	=== Be Bold ===		=== Be Bold ===

	Do not wait for permission to make a change that you feel will be beneficial to those who use the Research Wiki. If you see something that needs to be done, do it. Don’t make a suggestion, make a change. However, remember that when making changes don’t do anything that would prevent those who disagree with your changes from reverting back to the original version while civil discussion happens to reach an acceptable compromise. Don’t let the possibility of disagreement stop you from making the changes. If you feel the change is needed then make it. Don’t take edits or changes as a personal affront. Contributors and editors are encouraged to work with the community to make the Research Wiki a superior site for family history research information.		Do not wait for permission to make a change that you feel will be beneficial to those who use the Research Wiki. If you see something that needs to be done, do it. Don’t make a suggestion, make a change. However, remember that when making changes don’t do anything that would prevent those who disagree with your changes from reverting back to the original version while civil discussion happens to reach an acceptable compromise. Don’t let the possibility of disagreement stop you from making the changes. If you feel the change is needed then make it. Don’t take edits or changes as a personal affront. Contributors and editors are encouraged to work with the community to make the Research Wiki a superior site for family history research information.
		+
		+	=== Learn More ===

	{{policies and guidelines}}		{{policies and guidelines}}

	[[Category:FamilySearch_Wiki_policies_and_guidelines\|{{PAGENAME}}]]		[[Category:FamilySearch_Wiki_policies_and_guidelines\|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Jamestanner: Added Link

2012-05-08T16:11:57Z

Added Link

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 8 May 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	Return to [[Main Page]]
		+
	'''Purpose and Scope'''		'''Purpose and Scope'''

Lembley: replaced reference to wikipedia with generic wiki reference

2012-03-21T19:22:57Z

replaced reference to wikipedia with generic wiki reference

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:22, 21 March 2012
Line 33:		Line 33:
	=== Code of Conduct ===		=== Code of Conduct ===

−	The FamilySearch Research Wiki has a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines\|code of conduct]] similar to that of ~~Wikipedia~~. It includes respect for all of your fellow users, even when you may not agree with what they say. Those who contribute content or edit existing content must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse\|civil]] and avoid conflicts of interest, [[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks\|personal attacks]], labeling of others, broad sweeping generalizations, stereotyping, etc. They should seek for consensus and [[FamilySearch Wiki:Avoid Edit Wars\|avoid edit wars]] — follow the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Three-revert rule\|three-revert rule]]. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith\|Assume good faith]] on the part of others, be warm and open in your speech. Profanity or profane slang will not be accepted in any form or language.	+	The FamilySearch Research Wiki has a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines\|code of conduct]] similar to that of other large wikis. It includes respect for all of your fellow users, even when you may not agree with what they say. Those who contribute content or edit existing content must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse\|civil]] and avoid conflicts of interest, [[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks\|personal attacks]], labeling of others, broad sweeping generalizations, stereotyping, etc. They should seek for consensus and [[FamilySearch Wiki:Avoid Edit Wars\|avoid edit wars]] — follow the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Three-revert rule\|three-revert rule]]. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith\|Assume good faith]] on the part of others, be warm and open in your speech. Profanity or profane slang will not be accepted in any form or language.

	=== Be Bold ===		=== Be Bold ===

Lembley: Trim wording on Spam-Free content

2012-02-14T23:27:11Z

Trim wording on Spam-Free content

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:27, 14 February 2012
Line 29:		Line 29:
	As a tool designed to guide users to the best sources of genealogical information, the wiki has some sensitivity around the topic of [[FamilySearch Wiki:Linking\|linking]] to commercial Websites. Like any librarian, wiki contributors writing an article on Ohio death records will recommend a variety of good sources for these records, including free sources (like FamilySearch Historical Records Collections, RootsWeb or U.S. GenWeb) or fee-based sources (like Ancestry, Heritage Quest, microfilms at Family History Centers, or even a government records office). The idea is to recommend sources in the order that the user might want to find them, taking into consideration the audience's budget, time constraints, and desire for instant gratification.		As a tool designed to guide users to the best sources of genealogical information, the wiki has some sensitivity around the topic of [[FamilySearch Wiki:Linking\|linking]] to commercial Websites. Like any librarian, wiki contributors writing an article on Ohio death records will recommend a variety of good sources for these records, including free sources (like FamilySearch Historical Records Collections, RootsWeb or U.S. GenWeb) or fee-based sources (like Ancestry, Heritage Quest, microfilms at Family History Centers, or even a government records office). The idea is to recommend sources in the order that the user might want to find them, taking into consideration the audience's budget, time constraints, and desire for instant gratification.

−	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. ~~We don't want a page or pages~~ overwhelmingly ~~slanted~~ to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. ~~The key is to do unto readers what you would have done to you. You wouldn't want to be directed~~ to an expensive source when a free one will suffice~~, so please recommend~~ sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.	+	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. Pages should not be slanted overwhelmingly to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. Do not direct researchers to an expensive source when a free one will suffice.  Recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.

	=== Code of Conduct ===		=== Code of Conduct ===

Lembley: changed Labs to Historical Records Collections

2012-02-14T23:25:10Z

changed Labs to Historical Records Collections

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:25, 14 February 2012
Line 27:		Line 27:
	=== Spam-Free ===		=== Spam-Free ===

−	As a tool designed to guide users to the best sources of genealogical information, the wiki has some sensitivity around the topic of [[FamilySearch Wiki:Linking\|linking]] to commercial Websites. Like any librarian, wiki contributors writing an article on Ohio death records will recommend a variety of good sources for these records, including free sources (like FamilySearch ~~Labs~~, RootsWeb or U.S. GenWeb) or fee-based sources (like Ancestry, Heritage Quest, microfilms at Family History Centers, or even a government records office). The idea is to recommend sources in the order that the user might want to find them, taking into consideration the audience's budget, time constraints, and desire for instant gratification.	+	As a tool designed to guide users to the best sources of genealogical information, the wiki has some sensitivity around the topic of [[FamilySearch Wiki:Linking\|linking]] to commercial Websites. Like any librarian, wiki contributors writing an article on Ohio death records will recommend a variety of good sources for these records, including free sources (like FamilySearch Historical Records Collections, RootsWeb or U.S. GenWeb) or fee-based sources (like Ancestry, Heritage Quest, microfilms at Family History Centers, or even a government records office). The idea is to recommend sources in the order that the user might want to find them, taking into consideration the audience's budget, time constraints, and desire for instant gratification.

−	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. We don't want a page or pages overwhelmingly slanted to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. The key is to do unto readers what you would have done to you. You wouldn't want to be directed to an expensive source when a free one will suffice, so please recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.	+	That said, the wiki may not be used simply as an advertising platform. We don't want a page or pages overwhelmingly slanted to any one vendor's products in exclusion of free sites and other vendor sites. The key is to do unto readers what you would have done to you. You wouldn't want to be directed to an expensive source when a free one will suffice, so please recommend sources to users in terms of what will help them, not what will help your business.

	=== Code of Conduct ===		=== Code of Conduct ===

Cottrells: /* Neutral Point of View */ add wikilink

2011-04-27T16:13:19Z

Neutral Point of View: add wikilink

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 27 April 2011
Line 23:		Line 23:
	=== Neutral Point of View ===		=== Neutral Point of View ===

−	The Research Wiki must be written from a neutral point of view, representing fairly, and as far as possible without bias, all significant views of family history related topics that have been published by reliable sources. This allows those who will come to use and depend on the knowledge contained within the Research Wiki, to see and try all techniques and suggestions for finding records about their ancestors. Neutral point of view also requires the citation of sources that are authoritative and verifiable. Avoid unduly personal points of view, personal opinion, personal experiences, or arguments. The Research Wiki is not a soapbox, a place to include personal testimonials, or stories of research success, or an advertising platform. Avoid being dogmatic. Overly religious, political, ethnic, cultural, historic, and nationalistic discussions tend to be biased, one-sided, and rarely apply to family history research, records, or instruction. The best way to avoid being personal or dogmatic is to write with a neutral point of view and cite authoritative sources for the ideas you express. Strive to fairly explain any competing points of view that differ from your own. Even though this site is sponsored by a religious entity, it is neither reviewed nor correlated for doctrinal correctness, and therefore, should not become a forum for doctrinal discussions or discourses—even ones that are purely informational in nature. Other sites may exist for this purpose, especially [http://www.lds.org lds.org] and may be linked to from within the Research Wiki.	+	The Research Wiki must be written from a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Neutral point of view\|neutral point of view]], representing fairly, and as far as possible without bias, all significant views of family history related topics that have been published by reliable sources. This allows those who will come to use and depend on the knowledge contained within the Research Wiki, to see and try all techniques and suggestions for finding records about their ancestors. Neutral point of view also requires the citation of sources that are authoritative and verifiable. Avoid unduly personal points of view, personal opinion, personal experiences, or arguments. The Research Wiki is not a soapbox, a place to include personal testimonials, or stories of research success, or an advertising platform. Avoid being dogmatic. Overly religious, political, ethnic, cultural, historic, and nationalistic discussions tend to be biased, one-sided, and rarely apply to family history research, records, or instruction. The best way to avoid being personal or dogmatic is to write with a neutral point of view and cite authoritative sources for the ideas you express. Strive to fairly explain any competing points of view that differ from your own. Even though this site is sponsored by a religious entity, it is neither reviewed nor correlated for doctrinal correctness, and therefore, should not become a forum for doctrinal discussions or discourses—even ones that are purely informational in nature. Other sites may exist for this purpose, especially [http://www.lds.org lds.org] and may be linked to from within the Research Wiki.

	=== Spam-Free ===		=== Spam-Free ===

Cottrells: /* Sources and Delimiters */ add wikilinks

2011-04-27T16:11:17Z

Sources and Delimiters: add wikilinks

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 27 April 2011
Line 19:		Line 19:
	=== Sources and Delimiters ===		=== Sources and Delimiters ===

−	Articles should cite authoritative, verifiable sources whenever possible. Any un-sourced material may be challenged and removed. Limit discussion of religion, politics, ethnicity, culture, and history to those aspects which affect family history research or record keeping. The Research Wiki does not have copies of the source documents themselves (except a few pages as examples). Do not include details about specific ancestors, or individual biographies (except as examples on a record, or as case studies to illustrate a process or principle).	+	Articles should [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable\|cite authoritative, verifiable sources]] whenever possible. Any un-sourced material may be challenged and removed. Limit discussion of religion, politics, ethnicity, culture, and history to those aspects which affect family history research or record keeping. The Research Wiki does not have copies of the [[FamilySearch Wiki:Link, don’t copy\|source documents]] themselves (except a few pages as examples). Do not include details about specific ancestors, or individual [[FamilySearch Wiki:Biographies\|biographies]] (except as examples on a record, or as case studies to illustrate a process or principle).

	=== Neutral Point of View ===		=== Neutral Point of View ===