> I have recently received a well documented and researched GEDCOM > family tree, complete with source citations. I want to merge it in > my own family tree, but have some doubts on how to deal to some of > its own sources. I can think of two ways: > > (1) Source all the information as "Family Tree XXX by nn", with his > own sources moved to the notes section. > > (2) Source the information according to the level it can be > independently verified: For example, a Census record is verifiable, > thus I can keep the original source, disregarding the fact it came > from a third party family tree. On the other hand, an email or an > oral testimony to my friend is not verifiable (unless I have a copy > of it), in which case I could source the data as "Family Tree XXX by > nn" with the rest of the information detail in the notes. > > What are our preferred methods to deal with situations like this? > > Yaacov Slizak at yslizak@yahoo.com 1. If I may, some musings about using another's GEDCOM: 2. 3. You indicate up front that the file you received is well documented and researched, I for one would take the data provided at face value until proved otherwise. (Consider yourself extremely fortunate to obtain the source data as many people are wary of divulging such information.) 4. Assuming you can fact check 5 to 10% of the data in the file, and find it to be accurate, other data gathered by the same researcher is normally performed with the same care and patience for accuracy. This reliance on the accuracy of another's work can be justified providing you clearly state that some of the data has not been unverified. 5. Depending on the number of sources contained in the new file, you should consider adding a "free form" note to each source indicating the level of confidence you have in the data. The more verified sources, the higher the confidence level. 6. It is also possible to add a single "universal" source to the file at the time of import, and indicate your confidence level just once. 7. Always! ALWAYS! Import this new data into a new BLANK data file. NEVER import it directly into your work file!!!!!! Regards, Arnold -- <><><><><<><><><><><><> Arrowhead Images <surveyor999 AT a-znet.com> <><><><><<><><><><><><> I prefer the earth beneath my feet to be less TERRA and more FIRMA! AE Palmer <surveyor999@a-znet.com>