Talk:Access Codes

Is the suggestion to put the code in parenthesis or use a template to insert the code? My personal preference would be to use a template. This would allow the coding to always be identical, plus it could be changed to an image (with a tooltip telling what the image means) easily in the future. If someone will create small images/icons, I can create templates quite easily. This would be nice to be able to see it. In the matter of fact, I could create a template that just the text for now, if you wish. This could be either a single template for all codes or one template for each code. Preferences??? Thomas Lerman 21:30, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

Let's discuss this as a group and figure out whether we want a simple solution now. Ritcheymt 22:04, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

I have added the 'FamilySearch Partners' code in the main page, noting it as reserved for future use since the program is coming but is not finalized. As far as the content of the section, if anyone feels it's too much for the description, cut and paste it to this talk page and that way we can still view the description in the process of discussing the matter of access codes.

As it is, the graphical symbol should be the white-on-blue FamilySearch 'Tree' symbol found on almost all FamilySearch sites and subsites in the logotype. That will make those items instantly recognizable and show its access type as being different from the others. That tree symbol is perfect for designating this item, among others. JamesAnderson 22:25, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

I really like the idea of using those little icons, I feel it is a very helpful addition to a page. At least for us. My only concern is that we will get things too complicated for the fledgling user that is already gun shy about putting in their contribution. Simplicity should be implemented to encourage their contributions, thus adding to the growth of the wiki. So let's pull out the balance scales and decide.... simplicity vs perfectionism??? Just a thought. FamilyJournals 22:54, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

The most simple form of a template would be not much different than what Sammy was discussing. In other words, rather than typing (FI$), one could type (or whatever codes we decide would be the most user-friendly and easiest to remember). This works whether in geek mode (Wikitext) or rich text (what you see is what you get). Thomas Lerman 00:22, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

I really think that is great Thomas. I would love it. I am just a little concerned about the novice getting overwhelmed with rules and guidelines. Familyjournals 00:58, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

I believe that I understand. We have to keep everything as simple and easy as possible. The more people have to think and remember, the less likely the non-geek-types will contribute. I could see that they may have the most to contribute. Thomas Lerman 01:10, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

Regarding the point of Familyjournals, I think the risk is that someone new to the wiki who wants to contribute might see these special icons after each link and think, "Wow, they have a special system and codes for linking to stuff. That looks too complicated (and maybe uptight) for me. Maybe this isn't the right kind of site for me to participate." Ritcheymt 19:36, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

I think that if we put the letter codes in first, then the more geeky people can come in later with the icons. In Wikipedia there are people that will go in and fix formatting, add things that fix problems, and update articles with things like icons and other items that don't otherwise change the article other than make it look better and more consistent. So I think the best thing is to use the letter codes first, and indicate in any instructions that if anyone feels they can code the icons in they can either do it themselves, or just put in the letter codes and leave it to someone else to come in and use the template to put in the icons. Is that a good option? JamesAnderson 19:49, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

While I can see what you are saying, Michael. . . I also can see that cool stuff can help attract people seeing very concise, easy to understand information (including links). I do not know the answer to any of these questions nor if they are even pertinent. What kind of people do we attract to contribute to the Wiki? Are we only attracting mostly people in the Family History Library, people in the Family History Department and a few from Family History Centers? Or are we attracting people from around the world with diverse ethnicity, religions, backgrounds, and experiences? Are we attracting various Genealogical Societies? If we are not attracting others, why not? Anyway, like I said, this may not be pertinent and I do not know the answers. Incidentally, my thought on your comments, James, is that we nail down the codes (if we do this), and use Templates from the get-go. These templates can show codes now and images in the future (or whatever we decide). Instead of (LAR) (for example, it would be . Thomas Lerman 20:07, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

That was the intent of getting it off rolling then the geeky ones can take care of templates. dsammy 02:57, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Okay, for grins and giggles, I have created the template that for now does just text (the text in this sentence was created by the template). Nobody has offered up any icons for me yet. Thomas Lerman 07:37, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

I have now added the following templates (display is from the actual templates):, , , , , , and undefined. Anyone want to provide any icons so we can show what it would look like? The easy ones might be for FSP (FamilySearch tree logo) or M (fancy dollar sign). Thomas Lerman 18:07, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

So you figured out logo ffor FSP, let's see what other sites have for their logos.

Ancestry.com has locked padlock for paid subscription required, we need "key" logo for the "M" since "M" is not always paid subscription but requires Membership to get in, hence the key to open the door while a different logo is need for partial free/paid - that is FI$. For the (F) - just the word "FREE" in simple font. For FR, a combo of Free and key.

So far M - "key" F - "FREE" FR - "FREE+key" FI$ - this has to be hard one to suggest! ILL - "book" (maybe there is a better alternative?) LAR - "library card"? dsammy 19:10, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Hmmm, FR sounds a bit freaky. Ooops, different spelling, sorry. Hopefully someone will come up with actual images too. My concern about words would be other languages. Thomas Lerman 19:19, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

In that case, we need universal symbols meaning same thing. dsammy 19:35, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

For the templates, please see the category Access code templates. Thomas Lerman 00:41, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

located a good royalty free photo of key - http://www.clker.com/cliparts/e/e/9/b/12279751991093908258rg1024_key.svg.hi.png

royalty free website- has one for $ symbol http://www.bigstockphoto.com/photo/view/86690

Thank you Sammy for those links to images. The other thought is that we probably want to use something according to the color scheme. Thomas Lerman 04:33, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Find the symbols, then fix the color scheme, how hard can it be? dsammy 07:04, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Not everyone has better tools nor the skill to do that. Thomas Lerman 16:02, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Getting Results with Inter Library Loan (ILL)

The most underutilized tool of the Genealogist is correctly using Inter Library Loan (ILL). Many articles on how to do Genealogy give it a mention, but never actually HOW to do it. Many have tried and gave up because they did not get many books. They did not discover the “Magic of Copy Request”.

I will explain the process using how to do it at The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (OH), PLCHC. Most of the larger Libraries would be similar. Somd smaller Libraries make you come to a Branch and fill out a Form by hand, but the concept is identical, just more time consuming. The greatest bulk of Genealogy of very old records (once one gets beyond on-line databases) is in 2 types of books. 1st is small printing runs of 1 - 25 copies that are mostly in Libraries of localities the books were written about. 2nd are the more recently written books prevented by Copyright from being on public databases. Almost all of these books are accessible by ILL. They are mostly not available for Loan, just like the PLCHC Reference Books, two exceptions are the NGS Collection at the PL of St Louis and the Mid Continent Public Library of Independence MO. However, the vast majority of Libraries will copy a limited number of pages from these books for FREE. There is a system you must use to be successful and it involves iterative requests. Knowing how to phrase the Requests is critical. PLCHC charges a Fee of $5.00 to cover the S&amp;H when the actual books are loaned. Cincinnati has one of the best Genealogy Libraries around, but they have only a tiny fraction of Genealogy books in print. How to do it? Get your PLCHC Library card account # and PIN. At your convenient internet, go to http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/, and follow Tabs: Research and Homework, Research Databases, Books and Literary Criticism, World Cat and Enter your Library Card # and Pin. You are taken to a “First Search” page.

As an example, I enter keywords for “Campbell County Virginia marriage” and hit Search. The Tabs at the upper middle show you there are 54 hits, (30 books, 21 archival, 2 visual and 1 article). I normally do not just limit the views to books although I don’t normally try to get the others. One of the hits “Marriages of Campbell County Virginia 1782-1810” has a “Public Library of Cincinnati/Hamilton Co” highlighted in Green. This means the book is available Downtown PLCHC and thus is NOT available via ILL to local patrons. See it at PLCHC.

Further I find “Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds, 1781-1854” which covers the wider date range I want and is not in Cincinnati. Double click on that record and see info on the book. Double click on “Borrow this item from another library”. Fill out the required items plus your e-mail (to send you an e-mail if they find out the item can’t be borrowed). Select your most convenient Branch under both the “Dept &amp; the Pick-up location” boxes in case the actual book gets sent. Under Max Cost list $5.00 (Cinti actual Book Borrow cost) to prevent a very small group of Libraries who use copies to make money for little stuff of little value.

The following is very IMPORTANT! In the Comments type: “COPY REQUEST! It is unlikely this rare book is available for loan. Please copy the Title Page, the Index Pages for (Surnames you want). If listed in the Index, please copy actual text pages for (a few specific people). Thanks!”

Then highlight the info (between the quotes in my example) in the Comments box and Copy to your Computer Clipboard. Then hit the Submit button.

Open your word processor and type ILL-date. Paste the comments from the Clipboard into the new ILL-date document. After you hit the Submit button, the computer responds with “Request Successful” and relists the title and book info. Copy the Title and Author to the Clipboard. Go to your ILL-date document, insert cursor above the Comments and Paste the Title/Author. You now have saved the Book, Author and your Request together in one place.

To look for your next ILL book, do a series of Browser “Back” buttons to get back to the list of books. Scan down until you find something else you want. Do another “Borrow this item from another library”. This time when you get to the “Copy Request” Page for Cinti Library, it is still all filled out. Just modify any words in the comments appropriate for the new book, and repeat the entire process above. About 3-8 weeks later your Copies show up in your mailbox!

Several CRITICAL comments: Make sure no individual ILL request looks like you are asking for more than 25 pages for one copy request. That is the arbitrary limit that most Libraries will allow for an ILL copy request. Iterative part. After your copy arrives, take the Surname Index Pages, your Genealogy Data and decide what other pages you want from the Surname Index. Sign back onto World Cat, go back to the book and “Borrow item from another library” and say something like: “COPY REQUEST! I know from a previous Inquiry that this rare book is not available for actual Loan. I would appreciate copies of pages ….. (limiting to 25)”.

Doing a new location for the first time, I would Search “xyz County (State) Genealogy” and will usually get 150 hits and make requests for copies from 10-15 books at one time on Marriages, Tombstone Transcriptions, Wills, Deeds, etc all at once.

If you happen to get the actual book (mostly from the St Louis and Mid-Continent Libraries) your original request is not included. It is far too easy to forget what you asked for and especially what you did not. That is why it was important to do the ILL-date document so you have saved what you asked for. Organize a series of Notebooks and an indexing system to put these in.

There are a very few libraries that do not participate in the process but usually they are still listed in World Cat. You can see the libraries from the tab “Libraries that own this item”. Most are State Historical Society Libraries and others trying to sell their services. If you see only 1-3 libraries listed at “Libraries worldwide that own this item”, click the tab to see who they are. You will learn over time if the request will likely go unfilled because they are a State Historical Society, Library of Congress, or similar Library.