FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject California

California Wiki Project California



Overall Objectives
The purpose of the California Wiki Project is to help readers find and use California resources and records for genealogy and family history. The project will update and improve:


 * California county pages. Example Alameda California
 * California main page.
 * Statewide topic pages. Example California
 * Other California-related pages

Guiding Principles

 * Highlight important and relevant items. Long lists of every website or every publication would bury, rather than highlight, what's important.


 * Tell readers what to expect when they follow a link or search a suggested record.


 * Balance content with these four factors in mind:


 * a. Genealogical Value. Does this help Wiki users further their research?
 * b. Clarity. Make sure everyone understands your meaning and the purpose of your words.
 * c. Brevity. Be succinct as possible without sacrificing purpose or clarity.
 * d. Documentation. Use footnote(s) to identify the source(s) of the content you are creating.

For each section containing information regarding resources and records, the following should be included:


 * Links to online resources: indexes and/or images of records or how to use those records.
 * Links to catalogs such as the Google books, WorldCat, FamilySearch Catalogamong others.

For more style and guidelines for the Ohio Wiki Project.

Repositories Tasks
The first set of tasks includes adding content to each California county page. Content will be added by completing written tasks which will apply to each county. These tasks will have written instructions giving guidance on how to enter information, format the information, and how to cite the information, when applicable. Some of these tasks entail specifically:


 * County headings
 * Verify parent county and surrounding counties
 * County repositories (libraries, archives, museums) - contact information for repositories that hold original and compiled records for individuals that lived in that county including links to the repositories' websites with additional information
 * Locate FamilySearch Centers

Records Tasks
This group of tasks focuses on the following record type:


 * Vital Records
 * Probate Records
 * Land Records
 * Newspapers
 * Church records
 * Tax records
 * Cemeteries

Each record type above will include what records are available, time period the record covers and how they can be accessed including links to databases, images and references to books and microfilm and information to repositories.


 * County histories - list of county histories available with links to online books and references to libraries

California Wiki Project Tasks
Before beginning any tasks please review the Ohio Project guidelines.

FIRST TIME WIKI USERS: For instructions on how to edit the wiki use the following:


 * Online and Video Instructions
 * Editing on the Wiki written instructions

The following are tasks to be accomplished for the California Wiki Project. Each task has step-by-step instructions to accomplish it. '''SOME TASKS (in red) ARE NOT YET READY TO DO. WHEN TASKS ARE LINKED (typed in blue) THEY ARE READY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO WORK ON THEM.'''


 * Task Difficulty Tasks are rated for difficulty. Within each phase task table look for 1, 2, or 3, with 1 being the least difficult and 3 being the most difficult.

Example of California County Page
Alameda County California

Guidelines and Style
Style and guidelines for the California Wiki Project as well as Ohio.

Discussion and Forum
Paticipants are encouraged to use the Facebook California Genealogy Wiki Project Group as a forum for questions and discussions. This is not yet available.

Community Meetings
To be determined

Online meetings with focus on Wiki pages for California.


 * Share ideas, suggest improvements
 * Get news and progress reports.

Attend from home, at a library, or wherever you have an internet connection and a telephone.

Current Meetings
None are scheduled at this time.