FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject County Page TemplateEdit This Page

From FamilySearch Wiki

Introduction

The goal of this project is to document standards for basic United States county pages. Since each state and county is different it is expected that individual county pages will vary to some degree but certain features will be consistent. New ideas will be tested and documented here for individual state and county moderators and adopters to use as a resource. Recommendations may be recorded for topics such as search engine optimization or best practices for graphics on the county pages. Specific plans for individual counties will not apply here but may be discussed as options on the discussion page.

Current Tasks Needing Volunteers

• Sample existing county pages for common practices
• Recommend "Best Practice" for article/section length
• Identify possible search engine optimization enhancements
• Look at possibilities for addressing needs of novice researchers

Completed Tasks

• Create the project page in the FamilySearch Wiki namespace and link to Projects Seeking Contributors

Project Scope

County pages exist to lead wiki users to resources that will help them answer their family history questions. Research differs from one county to the next due to record survival, loss and availability. Although county pages will vary, it will be helpful to maintain a standard look and feel so that users will be able to make an easy transition from one locality to another as they do their research.This project will not coordinate efforts to change existing county pages or mandate changes.

Record Types and Topics

This list serves as the backbone of the county page. It is not in strict alphabetical order and often starts with county court house.

County Courthouse

History

Parent County

Boundary Changes

Record Loss

Places / Localities

Populated Places

Neighboring Counties

Records and Resources

Cemeteries

Census

Church

Court

Ethnic Groups

African American

German

Irish

Native American

Land

Local Histories

Maps

Military

Civil War

World War I

World War II

Newspapers

Probate

Taxation

Vital Records

Societies and Libraries

IRAD Depository

Family History Centers

Public Libraries

Web Sites

References

Graphics

Maps and images of the county court house along with senic views are often included. Use graphics to add interest, break up text, and to establish context.

Related Pages

• FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject U.S. counties