How to handle multiple Sources of the Same Information ?

Question from a Reader Mike:

Handling (almost) identical citations when available from multiple sources. Example: a citation was created (using a template) from a source that was originally found only on FamilySearch. Now Ancestry has the same information available, even using an identical database title (and gives a "hint" to it.) How do you recommend handling the "source" which could be argued is identical, although the channel to get to the source, and therefore the citation, is different.

My generic response is:

What am I looking at and Where did I get it from?

The purpose of a citation is to me to be able to locate that specific record again, or for some one else to find "Where did you get THAT from?"

In this case, a Census Record, It came from TWO Sources. A Database on FamilySearch.org and a Database from Ancestry.com. The Two Citations would get me back to that specific Record / Census PAGE.

If you look closely, in some cases, the image may be different, usually in the pre-1940 Census records.

To go a step further, lets say I have two families, on the SAME Page of that Census Record. There would be TWO Citations. One for first family, like the line numbers for the Household, and one for the second family or different Line Numbers.

The record on Ancestry is one source, the record on Family Search is another Source of information.

Perhaps, Mike, you might visit the EvidenceExplained website for more information.

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Copyright © 2017 by H R Worthington

Query Answer: Multiple Sources, Multiple Citations, Same Record

I have a User Requested Blog Post:

Handling (almost) identical citations when available from multiple sources. Example: a citation was created (using a template) from a source that was originally found only on FamilySearch. Now Ancestry has the same information available, even using an identical database title (and gives a "hint" to it.) How do you recommend handling the "source" which could be argued is identical, although the channel to get to the source, and therefore the citation, is different.

I submit that these are two different Sources. Ancestry and FamilySearch. That would required TWO Citations, in fact Two Source Groups.

I often will have a Hint from Ancestry.com and it has a Film Number from FamilySearch. I will cite the Ancestry entry, then go over to FamilySearch, find that Film Number and entry and Cite that one as well. Somethings, when I have done this, I find that the Image my be clearer on one vs the other. I will KEEP both and Cite Both. Yes, it may be the same source material.

Find-A-Grave is another example of this. I will cite the Index from Ancestry.com, but will go to the Find-A-Grave website, find that memorial. One source in Ancestry.com the other the Find-A-Grave website. Two Source Groups. Two Citations.

I have 28 Blog posts on how I handle Find-A-Grave information

Hope that answers your question

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Copyright © 2017 by H R Worthington