Re: researching film at FHC

["v.h.villarreal" <raices_regias@...>]

Linda,

I have developed a somewhat similar system but I make use of a
function built into my genealogy software (Legacy) where I print out a
"source citation report".  Of course this requires that everytime you
find a record on the IGI and make an entry in your genealogy database
that you record the batch number AND the date of the event as a source. 

With your source citation report on hand you just sort by
chronological order the entries grouped by source (batch number). 
Then, when you get a chance to review the microfilm of each batch
number you just locate each date from your report in a forward
sequence, take a picture (or transcribe the manuscript) and move to
the next, etc.

The ideal thing would be to read the whole book from start to finish
but the circumstances usually make it impractical if not impossible. 
This is a very efficient method to get your records fast.  Let's say
you need some 20 or 30 records from a microfilm you can get them in
about an hour.

Hope this helps someone.  The key is entering the batch number and the
event's date with each ancestor record, and then use your software. 
The question is if the software you're using has this reporting
capability.

Victor Villarreal
Reynosa, Mexico

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Erlinda Castanon-Long"
<longsjourney@y...> wrote:
>
> I have started using the batch numbers to do the groundwork before 
> going to the FHC to read the actual films.  There are so many 
> entries that are smeared or too light to read that having them read 
> by someone else has been a Godsend. In doing marriage records for 
> Tamazula the online batch # gave me a marriage for my ancestor 
> Benito Gutierrez that I never would have been able to read on my 
> own. I allow for misspelled names and missing dates.  There are 
> times when I know I will have to order the film a second time but 
> when time is an issue pulling all the surnames I'm researching with 
> the % and a surname has saved the day more than once. Now when I go 
> to read the film I've already started my record with dates and names 
> in sequence so I do them first and then go back and do the complete 
> record a second time. I always order at least 2 films because one 
> usually is being used by someone else and I've waited up to 2 months 
> for a film to arrive or as little as 8 days. 
> My husband is a contract worker so we've lived in 12 states in the 
> last 10 years so there are times when I am trying to get as much 
> information for my family lines as possible so time and availability 
> can sometimes be an issue for me. If I'm in an area where there is 
> no history center I have my groundwork done with the batch #'s and 
> ready to go the next time I'm lucky enough to find a city with a 
> center.
> Any other tips to help use the resources available to us?
> Linda in Everett
>