Stella, You are right.  State the facts.  However I would like to add a proviso, based upon what genealogy programmes have to offer in logging references, notes etc against various facts, such as BMD events. There is normally the facility to quote a source.  Some programmes will offer standard references to sources which is OK to a point. There should be a system where you can specify the way in which you record sources.  For example, I have the UK censuses listed as: Census - 1841, Census - 1851, etc up to Census - 1911.  I have used a standard method for recording headings, and then when I want to add a census as the source of a particular find, I will call up the heading, and enter the detail, such as the Film  / page / folio number for that particular find.  I have tried to work out a consistent approach to building up source headings, and this has paid off quite well.  Now, I will transcribe information from the find in the standard fields offered up by the programme for the source, exactly as written down. My programme has a field which states "Text as written" into which I will transcribe the information about the item. Now, if I want to speculate, or add in snippets from finds from reference books etc, I will  place this information into the Notes field which is attached to the event.  I am very careful in stating where I got the snippet from, or to state "Information word of mouth from ..."  or "My analasys and conclusions..." I hope this inforamtion helps.  If what I have said is hard to follow, then open up your genealogy programme and explore what it has on offer to record sources, notes, etc - aloongside my expalnation. In brief, careful research and planning  - write down how you wish to record things, read the programme help pages, or check the on-line help & message boards for the programme - will hopefully lessen yopur headaches in recoding things correctly and with honesty. Cheers  Richard Brown Bromley, Kent U.K.   ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:17:55 -0800 From: Stella Stanger <sstanger@sfu.ca> Subject: Re: [KENT-ENG] Cholera Deaths 1854 Hi,  Please - ONLY put his cause of death - as it is shown on his Death Certificate - don't make guesses. If the cause was Cholera - that would have been stated. Purpura/Haemorrhage - is caused by Many reasons - don't change history with a guess. Whenever doing any research - No guesses - they could be wrong - only information that is stated on documents. Cheers, Stella :=>< SNIP cause of death 'purpura/haemorrhage'....after doing a lot of reading on 'purpura' and it's different causes - I think I will put his haemorrhaging down to Cholera?????  He was only 24yrs old and had been >married only 3 months - to the day (8th May 1854).  :=>< SNIP Ann Spiro Perth, Western Australia

Robert and Stella, I agree Robert, it is important to make copiuos notes and I have even given my reasonings for various things. My Legacy programme has a wonderful list of events, nearly everything is covered, including cause of death and a notes section attached. You can specify whether this is printed or gedcomed etc....... Cheers Pam from Adelaide Australia Stella, You are right. State the facts. However I would like to add a proviso, based upon what genealogy programmes have to offer in logging references, notes etc against various facts, such as BMD events. There is normally the facility to quote a source. Some programmes will offer standard references to sources which is OK to a point. There should be a system where you can specify the way in which you record sources. For example, I have the UK censuses listed as: Census - 1841, Census - 1851, etc up to Census - 1911. I have used a standard method for recording headings, and then when I want to add a census as the source of a particular find, I will call up the heading, and enter the detail, such as the Film / page / folio number for that particular find. I have tried to work out a consistent approach to building up source headings, and this has paid off quite well. Now, I will transcribe information from the find in the standard fields offered up by the programme for the source, exactly as written down. My programme has a field which states "Text as written" into which I will transcribe the information about the item.