Dear Folks, I see a big difference in what I call primary or original sources and genealogical records. This will help in understanding how I put the CE CD 2001 together. Genealogy, like most people, is my hobby and not my profession. Thus my background and education has an impact on how I view the world of genealogy. The words "Record" and "Source" have a different context to me than most traditional genealogists. Specifically how they relate to "Genealogy" and compiling "records." The following will help clarify the way I see them. Genealogical material compiled by an individual (like the 1898 ABC book) or group (like the LDS Ancestral File) are not Primary or Secondary Source Records. These are compiled genealogical recordings without citation of primary sources. I see them as second hand information subject to the errors there of. Baptismal records written by the priest in a Church record would be a Primary Source. A compiled record of different Church baptismal records could be a Primary Source if the "primary" documents are cited properly. "Baptismal Records of the Dutch Reformed Church" which cite which data came from which location would be a good "Source." Yet a compiled record of different Church baptismal records should not be a Primary Source if the "primary" documents are NOT cited. The International Genealogical Index or IGI is an example of this. We only have a general idea of the sources used in the IGI for each record. The IGI is "second hand" information with out the proper cites. Simply, anything recorded as a copy of a copy is a record. From my Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary. Copyright 1996 Barnes & Noble Books. "RECORD" The definitions for "Record" are too long to copy. It has 27 definitions. Highlights are ... 1. to set down in writing or the like, as for the purpose of preserving evidence. 4. to serve or relate or to tell of: The document records that the battle took place six years earlier. 8. to record something; making a record. 12. information or knowledge preserved in writing or the like. 20. an official writing intended to be preserved. "GENEALOGY" The word "Genealogy" in the same book has the following listed as the first meaning: 1. A record or account of the ancestry and descent of a person, family, group, etc. 2. The study of family ancestries and histories. 3. descent from an original form or progenitor; lineage; ancestry 4. Biol. a group of individuals or species ... "Genealogical Record" is not in this dictionary but would probably be defined as "A record or account of setting down in writing for preserving evidence of the ancestry and or descent of a person, family, group, etc." THIS IS THE WAY I SEE IT. Thus when you see "record" in the CE CD 200, I am not meaning original source material but compiled data or writings or recordings that are not properly sourced. "SOURCE" "Source" is defined in the same book as ... 1. any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained; origin: Which foods are sources of calcium? 2. the beginning or place of origin of a stream or river. 3. a book, statement, person, etc. supplying information. There is 10 listings. Another of interest is: 7. to give or or trace the source of: The research paper was not accurately sourced... "Source book" 1. an original writing, as a document, record, or diary, that supplies an authoritative basis for future writing, study, evaluation, etc. "Source material" 1. original, authoritative or basic materials used in research, as diaries, or manuscripts. "Original Source" and "Primary Source" is not in this dictionary but would probably be defined as "the first or highest in rank source material." When you see "Source" I am trying to show "Source (book) Material," "Original Sources" and "Primary Sources" and NOT SECONDARY or lower repeated recordings of such material. I hope the above definitions help in understanding where I am coming from and help others. TO SHOW THE OTHER OR RIGHT SIDE OF "SOURCES..." The general view of genealogists is that ANY RECORD is a SOURCE. I agree that we need to cite where we get the information more precisely. From my PAF 4.0 Help files is the following: Guidelines for citing sources · Type in your sources as you work, or you may forget them. · Provide enough information so that you or another person can easily find the source again. You will never regret adding too much information. · Cite the source you actually use. If you used an abstract or index, cite it and not the actual record. Abstracts and indexes may contain errors. · Identify all researchers' contributions, including your own. Use your name, not I or me, when referring to yourself. · Record sources that did not contain any information. That way, you will not forget that you already used that source. Citing sources "Citing sources" means that you record where you got the information about an individual. Citing sources provides you with the following benefits: · It allows you to evaluate the reliability of your information. For example, an original record created near the time when an event occurred is probably more reliable than a biography written after the event. Knowing the source can help you identify information that you want to verify with other types of records. · It provides a history of the sources you have examined. You can then focus research efforts on sources that have not yet been used. · It helps you evaluate conflicting information. When you find conflicting information, such as two different birth dates for the same person, you can use your sources to determine which one is the most likely to contain the correct information. · It acknowledges work done by others. For more information about citing sources A good reference book for citing sources in family history research is: Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence: Citation and Analysis for the Family Historian. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. © 1999, 2000 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. In summary ... Genealogists refer to "Citation" of material as where the information came from as a "Source." I see Sources & Records more narrowly as Primary Source Material & Copies. Sincerely, John R. Carpenter La Mesa, CA The following web sites have definitions (not directly related to material above!) Refer to the far left column of the web page for more on the mazpages! http://maxpages.com/ourlostfamily/Glossary http://maxpages.com/ourlostfamily/Words_Phrases http://maxpages.com/ourlostfamily/Ailments http://maxpages.com/ourlostfamily/Nicknames and http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~randyj2222/gendictf.html and http://home.clara.net/tirbach/hicks3.html#Index and http://home.att.net/~dottsr/diction.html and more at: http://www.cyndislist.com/diction.htm#GenDict