User talk:Lembley/sandbox2

I have included the Topics list in both the left side bar and below in-line with text. Obviously, one or the other needs to go away. I prefer the "in-line with text" because it would free up width that would then make room for the counties map and counties list to be more visually prominent. I can't figure out how to make the ISGS adoption badge the same size as the rest of the items in the side bar. Would love some help with that! Lise 18:52, 3 June 2011 (UTC)


 * The only item missing from here is, the link to databases of extracted information. This is obtainable by clicking on the map of counties in each region. An example is Coles County, the extracted databases are for Mattoon. This is not mentioned in "Local Governmental Records Holdings Database" Dsammy 17:18, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

What about using a template to capture the county-specific listing of indexed databases? I definitely see the value in showing databases available for each county. The IRAD site does such a nice job of that. It does't make sense to duplicate it - just point to it. In order to be effective, though, I think the text for each county's page should point directly to that individual county's list. Lise 18:34, 16 August 2011 (UTC)


 * Then the instructions will have to be on the county page instead of region IRAD page for that. The link should go to the region IRAD page where there are 3 instructions, one to the listing of records, one listing the indexed databases for the region (the links to county databates are inside the region map, in each county), one to PDF giving all of state's deposited records. Dsammy 18:42, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

Because those databases will also fall under specific topics (like Probate or Marriage Records or whatever), then the actual databases should already be mentioned somewhere on a county page, right? I'm not sure that I think instructions to find the list belong on every county page. If we ever figure out a way to identify the best on-line record collections for each county (which could include Ancestry.com, Footnote.com, local library on-line obituary indexes, DAR records, or whatever), then IRAD databases should be among the databases listed.


 * Instructions on every county page, will take up a lot of real estate. The same instructions are already detailed in IRAD region pages. As for mentiongin in sections for certain records, IRAD-region is mentioned and linked to applicable IRAD region page.Dsammy 20:23, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

Have you ever used IRAD? I've never visited one of the depositories in person, but have used the on-line index to identify records, then called to order them. The process was easy, quick, and inexpensive - an underutilized "supervalue" research option. I want to "de-mystify" IRAD so others won't wait 15 years before trying it (like I did!). :-) Lise 19:44, 16 August 2011 (UTC)
 * I used IRAD for over 5 years, before there was Wiki. Dsammy 20:23, 16 August 2011 (UTC)