The Advanced Genealogy Class
Homework: Week Four
A Family History
As you may have guessed, I would like you to write a small family history. The format is up to you, but choose one that requires the use of a formal numbering system. Produce what is commonly called a one-and-a-half generation report: the index person and corresponding list of children. Include your introduction, conclusion, and documentation; and try to conform to either the Register or the NGSQ style.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society has provided a Register template for your use: "Register Style" Word Template. If you choose this style for your family history, also read Helen Schatvet Ullmann's article, Writing a family sketch in Register style. If you prefer to use the NGSQ style for your family history, consider using the template I've provide on the class website.
Examples of Family History Writing
The following examples have been chosen to illustrate several different aspects of family history writing. There are hundreds of examples on the web, and the quality varies widely. These are a few I've come across in my own searches. Their inclusion here does not necessarily suggest that I consider them to be examples of excellent writing or research methodology. Remember to examine the quality of research and evidential analysis as well as the writing.
- Spath, Ron E. The Story of Anton Spath, accessed August 2009. [No genealogy software program has been used here. The style is informal and does not use an established format.]
- Tice, Joyce M. Andrew Kiff and Mary Junteau Descendants, accessed August 2009. [Descendant narrative created by Ultimate Family Tree and using a modified Henry numbering system]
- Warling, Steve. The Gifford Family of Monmouth County ,New Jersey, accessed August 2009. [Descendant narrative created by The Master Genealogist]
- Olsson, Joan Hersey. Descendants of Thomas Olney, accessed August 2009. [Descendant narrative created by Family Tree Maker]
- Randall, Ruth. A Family for Suzanne (NGS Family History Writing Contest, 2007 Winner), accessed August 2009. [No genealogy software program has been used here. The style is formal and follows the Modified Register format.]
- Lenzen, Connie. The Maternal Line of Elizabeth (Niesz) Titus, accessed August 2009. [This is a lineage narrative, and an excellent example of research on female lines.]
The following formatting examples were used in the lecture, but were not included in your handout. They are provided here for your information.
Narrative Data Paragraph (Register Style)
1. WILLIAM HENRY1 PECK (AnnA Barnes) was born in England, possibly 30 September 18351 and died in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vermont, 8 December 1903.2 He married in South Walden, Caledonia Co., Vermont, 8 April 1858, Emily Augusta Rollins, daughter of Benjamin Rollins and Catherine Ward.3 Emily was born in Danville, probably 2 August 1837,4 and died in Danville, 16 June 1908.5
Telegraphic Data Paragraph (NGSQ Style)
1. William Henry1 Peck (AnnA Barnes), b. in England, possibly 30 September 1835; 1 d. 8 December 1903 in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vermont; 2 m. 8 April 1858 in South Walden, Caledonia Co., Vermont, to Emily Augusta Rollins, dau. of Benjamin and Catherine (Ward) Rollins,3 b. in Danville, probably 2 August 1837,4 d. 16 June 1908 in Danville.5
Parenthetical Generation Lines
(NGSQ): 14. Martha Maria4 Prescott (Freedom3, Samuel2 , Samuel1)
(Register): 14. MARTHA MARIA4 PRESCOTT (Freedom3, Samuel2, Samuel1)
List of Children (Register Style)
Children of Freedom Densmore2 Prescott and Aurilla Tabetha Brooks:
4. i. MARTHA MARIA3, b. in Victory, Essex Co., Vermont on 27 January 1861; m. CHARLES ALBERTUS PECK.
ii. NELLIE FLOELLA; born in Victory on 5 May 1868; d. in Victory on 13 June 1871 at the age of 3 years 1 month 8 days. Death was caused by catarrh and scarlet fever; bur. with her parents in Wheelock Village Cemetery, Wheelock, Caledonia Co., Vermont.
iii. WILLIAM ELLSWORTH; b. in Victory on 26 May 1872; d. in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vermont, on 22 February 1898 at the age of 25 years 8 months 27 days. Death was caused by the "accidental fracture of skull." A tree fell on him in a logging accident, crushing his skull; bur. in his parents’ lot in Wheelock Village Cemetery.
iv. Baby Boy; stillborn in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vermont, on 11 November 1881.
List of Children (NGSQ Style)
Freedom Densmore2 Prescott and Aurilla Tabetha Brooks were parents of these children:
+ 4 i. MARTHA MARIA3 PRESCOTT, born 27 Jan 1861 in Victory, Essex Co., Vermont; married Charles Albertus Peck.
5 ii. NELLIE FLOELLA PRESCOTT; born 5 May 1868 in Victory, Essex Co., Vermont;4 she died 13 Jun 1871 in Victory at the age of 3 years 1 month 8 days; the cause of death was entered as scarlet fever;5 buried in Wheelock Village Cemetery, Wheelock, Caledonia Co., Vermont. 6
6 iii. WILLIAM ELLSWORH PRESCOTT; born 26 May 1872 in Victory;7 he died 22 February 1898 in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vermont, at the age of 25 years 8 months 27 days. A tree fell on him in a logging accident, fracturing his skull.8 He was buried in Wheelock Village Cemetery with his parents.9
7 iv. BABY BOY PRESCOTT; stillborn 11 Nov 1881 in Danville, Caledonia Co., Vermont.10
Additional Publication Formats
Compiled Lineage: Ascending System
This format traces direct line ancestors only from an index person to a specified ancestor.
Biography text contains:
- Genealogical Summary
- Life Story
- May include biographical events of spouse
- List of Children
- Life story of children not in the direct line must appear in the List of Children
- Child’s life story may include his or her children
- Concludes with parentage statement to introduce next subject
Compiled Lineage: Descending System
This format contains the same elements found in the Compiled Lineage Ascending System, but traces the direct line from a specified progenitor down to a present-day descendant.
Compiled Pedigree: Sosa-Stradonitz System (ascending system)
This system covers each individual in an index person’s pedigree
- Begin with the index person and proceeds from that person to his or her ancestors
- Identifying numbers are Arabic numerals that correspond to ahnentafel numbers
- Lower-case Roman numerals identify birth order of children in the List of Children
Biography text contains:
- Genealogical summary of the father followed by genealogical summary of the mother
- Life stories of both
- May include biographical events of other spouses
- List of Children
- Life story of children not in the direct line must appear in List of Children
- Child’s life story may include his or her children
- Stepchildren are not included in a list of children but may appear in the life stories
Compiled Pedigree: Multi-Surname System (descending system)
- Treats each surname family in an index person’s pedigree descending from a remote ancestor to the index person each line has in common
- Begins with the index person’s primary line
- Each surname line is numbered individually and uses identifying numbers similar to those used in compiled genealogies: identifying numbers, birth-order numbers and generation indicators. Parenthetical lineage lists may also be used.
Biography text contains:
- Genealogical Summary
- Life Story
- Life story of the direct ancestor, whether male or female, comes first
- List of Children (includes children of each union, adopted children, and
stepchildren)
- Life story of children not in the direct line must appear in List of Children
- Child’s life story may include his or her children
- To prevent unnecessary duplication of lines, an allied line ends with the ancestor who intermarries with the principal line or an allied line which is being carried forward. A cross-reference refers the reader to the continuing line.
