FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Massachusetts Tasks - Vital Records Intro

WikiProject Massachusetts Wiki Project Massachusetts Tasks - Vital Records Intro

This work has already been done using a newer standard and implemented by the Mass. Wiki Team at the FHL Library. The tasks below should NOT be added to any Massachusetts page.

Description
The purpose of this task is to add the introduction to vital records on Massachusetts county pages.

This task is beginner task and requires basic experience with copying and pasting in wikitext.

Helps for Beginners
New to the wiki?


 * See Help to request individual mentoring or to join community discussions.
 * See Editing Help – Online Video Demonstration.
 * See Editing Articles – Online Class.

Questions about editing this project?


 * See Wiki Project Ohio Objectives and Guiding Principles.
 * See Wiki Project Ohio Style and Guidelines.

'''You may wish to print these instructions before you begin editing. ''' To Print:


 * Go to the top right-hand corner of the page within the the white area.
 * Locate the word Print or the icon of a printer. Click on the icon.
 * Print.

All Tasks for a County
1. Check the Assignment Chart below to choose a county to edit.

2. Sign up on the Assignment Chart to accept the task. Sign-up instructions are posted with the Assignment Chart below.

3. For each county, you will add information to the county page by editing in wikitext. Read the general instructions then follow the wikitext link to continued task directions about using wikitext to edit this project.


 * If you have questions about editing, go to wiki help links under the heading Description.

4. Mark the Assignment Chart below to indicate you have finished the task.

Wikitext Editing Instructions
1. Login to the FamilySearch wiki using your FamilySearch login name and password. Find the sign-in area in the top right-hand corner of the page.

2. Click on your chosen county name in the Assignment Chart. This will take you to your county page.

3. Scroll to the heading Vital Records.

4. Open the Vital Records heading for editing by clicking on the pen in square on the right-hand side of the page, opposite the heading title.

5. Click on the word Wikitext in the toolbox at the top left of the edit box.

6. Place your cursor immediately after the heading Vital Records and strike the Enter key on your keyboard.

7. While in wiki text, copy and paste the following template under the heading Vital Records:



8. Save the page.

9. Click on any blue links you just added.


 * a. If any of these links do not work, please contact FamilySearch at the number listed in Description above. Fix the links.

10. The task is complete.

Example of Completed Heading
See Massachusetts Vital Records for more information about Vital records in Massachusetts.

Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records.

Example of a Completed Section
See Massachusetts County, Massachusetts Vital Records

To Sign Up

 * 1. Sign in to the wiki at the upper right-hand corner of this page. Use your FamilySearch account username and password.
 * 2. Open the Assignment Chart for editing by clicking on the check mark in the box at the right opposite the Assignment Table heading.
 * 3. Place your cursor in the box under the heading Name/Date Task Accepted and opposite your county of choice.
 * 4. Not all counties are included in the chart below. If your county is not listed, this task is not needed for your county.
 * 5. Type 4 tildes (~). This symbol is located on the upper left-hand part of your keyboard, next to the number 1. The ~ is an electronic signature and will leave your user name and date when you signed.
 * 6. Scroll nearly to the bottom of the page. Add a summary sentence in the Summary box saying something like, "Selected Adams County for adding Family History Center".
 * 7. Click on the box "Save Page".
 * 8. You are now signed up to complete this task.

Return to Top of Page

To Complete a Task

 * Follow the same instructions as accepting the task, except place your cursor in the correct county box under the heading Date Completed. Change your summary sentence to something like, "Completed Adams County for societies."

County Assignment Charts
In Massachusetts, the original vital record (birth, marriage, or death) is found with the clerk of the town or city where the event occurred. The recording of these records was ordered by the government as early as 1639, though not all places followed the law. For more information about these records, go to the Wiki page for the town or city.