FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style-Formatting

The following includes information regarding formatting in the Research Wiki.

Collection Links
Although, there is no one absolute way to list a database in the Wiki, the following are some guidelines that can help make the list of databases more user-friendly. Some of the examples below use the RecordSearch template for FamilySearch collections.
 * Information on how to use the RecordSearch Template
 * Information about formatting databases on free and subscription websites

Databases
Below is the way to format a database collection. This is especially helpful for a list collections on a Wiki page. *DATE RANGE [URL DATABASENAME] at WEBSITENAME — index & images, ($)

Example:
 * 1880-1920 Sweden Household Examination Books, 1860-1947 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)

Example wikitext code: *1880-1920 Sweden Household Examination Books, 1880-1920 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)

Guidelines for "Index & Images" Phrases: Give information regarding how complete the collection is, what it covers, or additional helpful information at the end of the database line, by using an m-dash and one of the following phrases:
 * "index & images" : used for collections that have indexes with images attached or browsable images available
 * "index" : used for databases that are only an index and no images
 * "images" : used for databases that only have browsable images available

Information about subscription websites are listed below. Examples:
 * 1840-2004 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840-2004 at Ancestry — index, ($)
 * 1639-1962 New York, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index, ($)
 * 1847–1848 and 1908–1936 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; marriage license index on film goes to 1935
 * 1801–1890 Barber Collection- Newspaper Deaths at Ancestry – index, ($); information extracted from the "Brooklyn Eagle" and the "New York Evening Post."
 * at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & some images

Linking to Websites

 * List the website the database is located on by stating, "at WEBSITENAME"
 * Put a dash after the website name to list further information regarding index, images, subscription fees, completeness of database, and other important notes regarding the database collection
 * To increase readability, do not add a link to the website name.

Identical Collection Databases on Multiple Websites
Some databases are shared on more than one genealogical website. Below is an example of the preferred way to list a database available on multiple websites:

Example:
 * 1849-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry($), MyHeritage($), FindMyPast($) 

Example Wikitext Code: *1849-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry($), MyHeritage($), FindMyPast($)

Elements should include:
 * 1) Bullet list: Start the database link with a bullet
 * 2) List Dates: If the database has dates listed, bring them to the front of the line for easy review for patrons to see which database might apply to their research goal.
 * 3) Hyphen and bold: Use a hyphen between the dates and bold the dates
 * 4) Exact title: When it is possible, list the exact title of the database in the clickable link to the database
 * 5) List website: To help let the user know what website/company provides the database, put "at" and the name of the website. You can also link the name of the website to a general search page or main page.
 * 6) Index/Images: Add whether the database contains an index, images or both. Place that after an m-dash. Use the guidelines found below.
 * 7) ($): If the database is on a subscription website, indicate it by putting a dollar sign in parenthesis ($) at the very end of the database link. Use the guidelines found below.
 * 8) Other info: And any additional notes that would be helpful for users to know about this database. That can include a note like, incomplete. Or, information about the localities it covers if it's not stated in the database name.

Free Websites
Websites that are free and do not require a payment to view their information, do not require any indication in the link. It can be assumed by the user that any database listed without a "($)" is free.

Subscription Websites
If you refer to a subscription website or one which has a charge to obtain information, use the "($)" to indicate that there may be a fee for the site. For websites requiring pound sterling, use "(£)."

Examples:


 * 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840-2004 at Ancestry — index, ($)
 * 1880-1920 Sweden Household Examination Books, 1880-1920 at MyHeritage — index & images, ($)

Free Collections on Subscription Websites
When a collection is free to the public but housed on a subscription website, you can use the phrase, (Free collection) to make this indication. '''NOTE: Websites that are free do not require any indication in the link. It can be assumed by the user that any database listed without a ($) is free. '''

Example: Example wikitext code: *1849-1985 Web: Minnesota, Naturalization Index, 1849-1985 at Ancestry (Free collection)
 * 1849-1985 Web: Minnesota, Naturalization Index, 1849-1985 at Ancestry (Free collection)

Free Indexes and Images for Pay
When a website offers free access to their index, but requires payment to access the records, use, "free index, images ($)" at the end of the link.

Example: Example wikitext code: *1900-1934 Minnesota Births, 1900-1934 at Minnesota Historical Society — free index, images, ($)
 * 1900-1934 Minnesota Births, 1900-1934 at Minnesota Historical Society — free index, images, ($)

FamilySearch Historical Records database
For FamilySearch Historical Records collections, the RecordSearch template is used to assist in updating URL links. Historical records collections have a link that says "How to Use this Collection" on the collection page. See screenshot below for example. Example:
 * 1817 – 1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images; includes guardianship records

Example wikitext code: *1817 – 1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images; includes guardianship records

Specific to FamilySearch Historical Records Collections: 1. RecordSearch template: Instead of an external link, use the RecordSearch template to for any FamilySearch Historical Records databases.
 * See Instructions for creating RecordSearch template links for more assistance.

2. How to Use this Collection: Create an internal link to the Historical Records Collection Wiki page for users to easily access the information about the collection. Follow the steps below to create the internal link.
 * a. From the collection page, click the link that says "How to Use this Collection".
 * b. Use the code below to creat the internal link.
 * How to Use this Collection
 * c. Copy the name of the page and paste it to replace NAME OF PAGE in the code use above.

3. Add additional info: Add any additional information as listed above after the "How to Use this Collection" link.

Source Citations
There is no one way to create a source. Many sources in the reference section of wiki pages follow The Chicago Manual of Style, but all are acceptable. Below are some suggested formatting regarding citations.

Reference Bibliography
When adding a reference to information within a Wiki article, use the following code:

Example wikitext code: Chile’s official language is Spanish.

Display result: Chile’s official language is Spanish.

Adding References Heading
Add a heading 2 or heading 3 (whichever is more appropriate for the page) named References as the last header on the page; i.e. at the bottom of the page before the NAVBOX and Category templates. The reference list tag is added below the header in the following format: == References ==

More information can be found on Source Citation Formats

Bibliography List in Body of the Wiki Page
When there are long lists of books or articles within a Wiki page, use the suggested format. This allows users to easily scan a list of pertinent resources. Add the information in the following order, left to right: 1. First element: add a bullet at the beginning of each book/article citation 2. Second element: Title of book in italics 3. Year of publication 4. Add the word “By” and then put the author’s full name, starting with first name 5. Add publication information, using the following: publication location, followed by colon, publisher. 6. Add the words "Online at:" at the end following the publisher.

Example:
 * Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska. 1890. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Pub. Co. Online at:

Wikitext example:
 * *Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska. 1890. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Pub. Co. Online at:

Words of guidance:
 * Capitalize the complete title even though it is not in the catalog
 * If the title is really long, just give the first portion of the title and leave off the rest.
 * If there is ever information missing use the following guidelines:
 * Missing author: leave it blank and move on to the publisher information.
 * Missing publication date: use n.d.
 * Missing publication place: use n.p.
 * Missing publisher: use n.p.

Example of no author, no date of publication, no place of publication, and no publisher information:
 * Niobrara Centennial 1856-1956. N.d. N.p: n.p.

Repositories - Contact Information
Below is the suggested format for listing information about a specific repository in the Wiki:

INSTITUTION NAME ADDRESS ADDRESS ADDRESS Telephone: ####### Email: address@email.com Website: [URL WEBSITENAME] (optional: brief description of institution hours/services, etc.)

Example Wikitext code: Seychelles National Archives 5th June Avenue P.O. Box 720<br Victoria, Mahe Seychelles Telephone: +248 4 321 333 Email: archives@seychelles.net Website: sna.gov.sc

:Genealogical Research at the National Archives has a fee: ::SR350.00 if you do your own research ::SR500.00 if the staff carries out your research

Display result:

Seychelles National Archives 5th June Avenue P.O. Box 720 Victoria, Mahe Seychelles Telephone: +248 4 321 333 Email: archives@seychelles.net Website: sna.gov.sc/


 * Family history research is done Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm on appointment.
 * Genealogical Research at the National Archives has a fee:
 * SR350.00 if you do your own research.
 * SR500.00 if the staff carries out your research.

Geographical Names
See Naming Conventions for Geographic Names for more information.

Acronyms and Abbreviations
The first time you use a term that can be abbreviated, write it out and put the acronym in parentheses, e.g., the zone improvement plan (zip) codes were developed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1963.

Organizing information
In an article, subheadings or sections should be used to organize the content and keep similar information together. Subheadings should help users scan an article to find the information they need.

Guidelines for subheadings/section titles
Use the guidelines for article titles with the following differences. Once you put in a title it can't be changed by you but subtitles can be changed, removed and reorganized by you.


 * 1) There are many templates that will help to organize a page. Two great examples:


 * FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject County Page Template
 * FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject U.S. Counties


 * 1) Use Help pages. They are guides to assist in the detailing of a page. An example:


 * Help:Adding details to a Family History Center page


 * 1) Another guide that will help you organize a page is Headings for Articles about Records


 * 1) Then go to Editing the Wiki. This page gives many ways to add to your page and options to use.