User:Bloosgrl/sandbox2

A Wiki manual of style (or style guide) is a set of standards for the design and writing of wiki articles. The guide provides direction for visual and technical aspects as well as prose style, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and wiki etiquette. The consistent use of style guidelines provides uniformity in style and formatting of wiki articles, making them easier for readers to understand and utilize.

General Principles
Respectful interactions: Comments and edits should be made with respect for other users and contributors. FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines

Alternate research techniques: The techniques that genealogists employ while working on their family histories are very individualized. Rather than editing and reediting an article to suit an individual method for finding alternate information or different techniques, these things may be suggested in an additional section such as: "Other ways to find the information."

Appropriate content: Content and images must be appropriate to the FamilySearch Research Wiki. Inappropriate content or links will be deleted.

Neutrality: Articles should be as neutral as possible. Descriptions should state facts and avoid negative or positive judgements. Using phrases such as "settlers from western Europe" rather than "poor, uneducated peasants" presents factual information without negativity. Avoid hype and exaggeration.

Simplicity: Writing should be clear and simple. When a term is used that may be unfamiliar to readers (for example, "gazetteer"), it should be defined the first time it appears in the body of an article as in this sentence: "In some areas newspapers were called gazetteers." Avoid using specialized terms or acronyms when a common term is available. As much as possible, the information should be understandable by every reader, even when English is not the user's first language.

Grammar and Style
Every contributor is important: Even though users may be concerned about their writing skills and may feel inadequate for the task, their contributions are needed. The information they possess may not be obtainable by other users and is valuable to the wiki in any form. Other members of the wiki community can edit and polish the writing while focusing on keeping the content and original information intact.

Consistent grammar style within an article: Grammar styles may vary by location and preference. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be consistently maintained throughout the article. Other contributors and editors should follow the original style.

Complete sentences: Write with complete sentences (sentences that contain a subject and verb). Complete sentences are easier to understand, especially when English is not the reader's native language. The command form (which has an implied subject) is considered a complete sentence.


 * Correct
 * Parish records were kept from 1770 to 1932.

Shorter sentences that express one idea: As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially when English is not a user's native language.


 * Correct
 * This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.

Neutral tone: Writing should be factual and avoid stereotypes, judgments, and gender bias. However, quotes should not be changed to meet this guideline. If the quote has the potential to offend, find another quote.

Avoid using “he or she": As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers" (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence:


 * Correct
 * Indexes can be used to find ancestral records quickly.

Avoid mixing pronouns and antecedents. For clarity, pronouns should be used correctly. If needed, rewrite the sentence or repeat the noun.


 * Incorrect
 * If a person wants to succeed in genealogy, you have to know how to search the records.
 * Correct
 * If you want to succeed in genealogy, you have to know how to search the records.

Avoiding “we” and “I”: Contributors should not use “we” or “I” to refer to themselves and others in the wiki community.


 * Correct
 * Differing opinions can be added to the Talk page to get input from the wiki community.
 * Incorrect
 * We want differing opinions added to the Talk page to get input from the wiki community.

Ampersand (&amp;): Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&amp;).


 * Exception
 * If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand.

Accepted authority: When there is uncertainty about grammar, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style.

Using the Talk page: If differing opinions about a grammatical issue cannot be resolved by referring to an accepted authority, the opinions should be added to the Talk page for input from the wiki community.

How to Name a Page
See Manual of Style- Naming

Punctuation
Punctuation style. The rules of punctuation vary greatly (for example, whether a comma is placed before “and” in a series of items: red, white, and blue). Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. Other contributors should follow the original style.

Commas. Commas are frequently used at the end of introductory phrases and to separate the items in a list. In a list, a comma may either be used before “and” or left out. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article.


 * Correct
 * At that time, immigrants from Eastern Europe either sailed directly to the United States or changed ships in Liverpool, England, before sailing to the United States.
 * Correct
 * This collection includes birth, death, and marriage records.
 * Correct
 * This collection includes birth, death and marriage records.

Commas with places. When a place is listed, each jurisdiction (governmental divisions such as country, province, state, county, and so on) is separated by a comma. In a sentence, a comma also comes after the final jurisdiction unless it ends the sentence.


 * Correct
 * Bannow, County Wexford, Ireland
 * Correct
 * He was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, in an area that is now part of LaRue County, Kentucky.
 * Incorrect
 * Bannow County Wexford

Punctuation in numbers. Use commas in numbers over 999 (for example, 1,000, 1,000,000, and so on). Use a period to indicate a fraction of a digit (for example .25, 3.76, and so on).

Punctuation within quotation marks. English-speaking areas follow differing guidelines for adding punctuation within quotation marks (for example, whether the period is placed within or outside of the final quotation mark). When editing, contributors should follow the existing style in the article.


 * Correct
 * Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago.”
 * Correct
 * Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago”.

Ampersand. Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&amp;).


 * Exception
 * If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand.

'''And/or. '''Do not use “and/or.” Rewrite the sentence, or use just one word. If items are frequently together, use “and.” If items are seldom together, use “or.”


 * Correct
 * Each record has a death and burial date.
 * Correct
 * Each record has either a death or burial date. Some records have both dates.
 * Incorrect
 * Each record has a death and/or burial date.

Using a slash (/) between two years. Do not use a slash between two years unless you are writing an actual double date (see guideline 15.8). Use the word “or.”


 * Correct
 * In 1530 or 1531, the parish boundaries were changed.
 * Incorrect
 * In 1530/1531, the parish boundaries were changed.

Parentheses and brackets. Use parentheses around explanatory or alternate information. If the information in parentheses is a complete sentence, the period goes within the final parenthesis. (This sentence would be an example.) Use brackets [ ] to indicate words in a quote that have been altered from the original.


 * Correct
 * 10 Vendémiaire IX (2 October 1800)
 * Correct
 * “All men [and women] are created equal.”
 * Incorrect
 * 10 Vendémiaire IX [2 October 1800]

Quotation marks. Use double quotation marks around quotes and titles of articles rather than single quotation marks.


 * Correct
 * For more information about these records, see “Australia Census.”
 * Incorrect
 * For more information about these records, see ‘Australia Census.’

The “#” symbol for the word “number.” The symbol “#” does not represent the word “number” in all cultures. Instead of “#”, use “number,” “No.,” or reword the sentence.


 * Correct
 * The number 1 cause of war deaths was disease.
 * Correct
 * The primary cause of war deaths was disease.
 * Incorrect
 * The #1 cause of war deaths was disease.

Accepted authority. Because of the variety in the rules of punctuation, this list of guidelines is brief. When there is uncertainty about punctuation, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style.

Formatting
See Manual of Style- Formatting

Capitalization
Merriam-Webster. When in doubt, follow Merriam-Webster.

Articles, buttons, or tabs. When referring to an article, button, or tab name, use the capitalization from the article title, button, or tab.


 * Correct
 * If another style guideline is needed, list the issue on the Talk page.
 * Incorrect
 * If another style guideline is needed, list the issue on the talk page.

Capitalization and spelling of some common terms. For the FamilySearch Research Wiki, use the following capitalizations and spellings.


 * family group record
 * family history center (This term is not trademarked and is not capitalized.)
 * Family History Library
 * FamilySearch
 * FamlySearch Research Wiki
 * FamilySearch website
 * FamilySearch.org or familysearch.org (Capitals make the site name easier to read, but both are correct.)
 * family tree
 * International Genealogical Index (IGI)
 * Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
 * GEDCOM
 * historical collections (in FamilySearch.org)
 * Internet
 * pedigree chart
 * record types (for example, census records, court records, military records)
 * The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("The" is part of the official title and is capitalized.)
 * website
 * wiki (for example, the wiki, wiki articles, wiki pages, wiki community)

Places. Capitalize the word “city,” “county,” “state,” or “province” only when the word appears as part of a place name. Do not capitalize the word city, county, state, or province when it is not part of the place name.


 * Correct
 * Salt Lake City, Los Angeles County, Quebec Province
 * Correct
 * city of Boston, state of New York
 * Incorrect
 * City of Boston, Province of Alberta

Dates. Capitalize the names of months and days of the week.

Spelling
Spelling variations of English. Variations of English are acceptable. For example, either colour (British) or color (United States) is acceptable. Each article should use only one variation of English. When editing, use the variation of English already established in the article.

Linking
See Manual of Style- Linking

Preferred terms
The following terms are preferred.

website: should be one word and all lower case as recommended by The Chicago Manual of Style

FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch website


 * (Do not refer to the website as FamilySearch. Legally, FamilySearch is the name of the organization responsible for FamilySearch.org and other family history projects.)


 * Correct: You can search historical record collections at FamilySearch.org.


 * Incorrect: You can search historical record collections at FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Research Wiki (just "wiki" or Research Wiki is also acceptable)


 * Correct: Creating a new article in the FamilySearch Research Wiki


 * Incorrect: Creating a new article in the FamilySearch wiki

Latin abbreviations. Do not use ca., etc., e.g., or viz. Use simple English instead.


 * ca. (Use "about")


 * e.g. (Use "for example.")


 * etc. (Use "and so on" or "and so forth.")


 * i.e. (This term actually means "that is," and is often used incorrectly to mean "for example." Depending on meaning, use "that is," "such as," or "for example.")


 * viz. (Use "namely.")

Box layout: columns vs. portals
Authors desiring to display a wiki page's content in boxes should use tables within columns instead of using sub-pages within portals. To see the code that allows one to layout columns and tables, go to the Maryland page, click Edit, and switch to Wikitext view. To see an example of portal code, go to the India portal on Wikipedia and click Edit this page. For more about this topic, see The Un-Portal Page.

Draft Pages or Sandboxes
Major editing work on a page that will not be finished for an extended time may confuse visitors to the page. To avoid this, it is recommend that lengthy or long term editing preparations are worked on in a sandbox you create. Be sure to add a link in the "Talk" page of where the planned changes will be posted, to the sandbox where the planned changes are being worked on. This will allow comments on the new content until it is moved from the sandbox page to the page that needs the changes.

Measurements
Metric or U.S. If measurements are needed, they can be written in metric or U.S. systems. The same system should be used throughout the article. It is recommended that the contributor provide the measurement in both systems. Metric may be listed first with the U.S. equivalent in parentheses, or the U.S. measurement may be listed first with the metric equivalent in parentheses. The same order should be used throughout the article.


 * Correct: Many narrow-gauge railroads in the Maine forests were 2 ft (610 mm) wide.


 * Correct: Many narrow-gauge railroads in the Maine forests were 610 mm (2 ft) wide.

Including a unit. Always include the unit of measurement with the number (for example, yard, meter, quart, and so on). Standard abbreviations may be used if they do not have more than one meaning.


 * Correct: Staten Island in New York City covers 59 square miles (153 square kilometers).


 * Correct: Staten Island in New York City covers 59 sq mi (153 km2).


 * Incorrect: Staten Island in New York City covers 59m.

Currencies
Listing costs of services. When referring users to a site or institution that charges for its services, it is appropriate to let users know there will be a charge. However, because prices change often, it is best to avoid listing the exact cost of the services.


 * Correct: There is a fee to get a copy of a deceased ancestor’s Social Security application.


 * Incorrect: There is a US$27-$29 fee to get a copy of a deceased ancestor’s Social Security application.

Identifying the currency listed. If it is important to indicate an amount of money, indicate both the amount and which currency is listed (Canadian dollars, Japanese yen, Mexican pesos, British pounds, and so on). Frequently, an abbreviation for the country is listed in front of the amount (for example, US$25). The original price and the equivalent in today’s money may be listed.


 * Correct: In 1800, a private in the British infantry was paid 1 shilling a day.


 * Correct: For the Louisiana Territory, the United States paid France US$15,000,000.


 * Incorrect: For the Louisiana Territory, the United States paid France almost $190 million in today’s money.

References to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the FamilySearch Wiki
In compliance to the Style Guide released 5 March 2019 regarding the usage of the official name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the unofficial references, such as, "LDS" and "Mormon" have been removed from the FamilySearch Research Wiki except in the following instances:
 * Historical References: The term "Mormon" will remain when used in proper names, such as, the Mormon Battalion or when used as an adjective in such historical expressions as "Mormon Trail."
 * References to the "Mormon Church": To clarify to the general public that “Mormon Church” is referring to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a parenthetical reference will be made. Example, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church).
 * Published Sources: References to books, articles, databases, and collections that include "LDS" or "Mormon" in the title will remain in the Wiki. For example, Journals, Diaries, Biographies, Autobiographies and Letters of Some Early Mormons and Others Who Knew Joseph Smith, Jr. and/or His Contemporaries and LDS Family History Suite 2.
 * Organizations and Websites: Organizations and websites that are not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that continue to use "Mormon" or "LDS" in their title, will remain in the Wiki. For example, Mormon History Association and LDS Genealogy website.
 * Classes and Handouts: Wiki pages, including Wiki article titles, that are previously presented classes or published handouts before the 5 March 2019 announcement that include "Mormon" or "LDS," will remain intact.
 * Wiki Meetings and Projects: Agendas and minutes taken during a Wiki meeting and Wiki projects completed previously will remain as is to preserve the context on the Wiki pages.
 * Article Redirects: Articles containing "Mormon" or "LDS" will be redirected to correctly titled Wiki articles. This will assist users in locating previously visited pages.
 * Questions?: Any comments or questions should be directed to [mailto:wikisupport@familysearch.org wikisupport@familysearch.org]

Reviewed Wiki Articles

 * The MormonLDSRemoval template will be placed on Wiki pages containing any of the above instances to clarify that the content on the Wiki page has been reviewed and approved by FamilySearch.

Supporting documents regarding proper reference to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * Style Guide — The Name of the Church
 * Changes to Emphasize the Correct Name of the Church of Jesus Christ - updated May 16, 2019