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From: "Teresa Elliott" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] LONG message on Research Tasks
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2005 19:16:28 -0600
References: <200512022300.jB2N0SfY010560@lists5.rootsweb.com> <4390D623.9020503@nm.net>


Michael,

Thanks for sharing. Instead of Custom Tags, I use the standard tag, but with
custom research roles. Then when I want to record the tag data, I just have
to change the role and add date and place. The research task is still
attached with all my notes. Similar approach, only slightly different.
Teresa
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael J. Hannah" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 5:17 PM
Subject: [TMG] LONG message on Research Tasks


> Sorry for this LONG message on one method of assigning
> research tasks, but there has been lots of discussion on
> this topic and maybe these ideas will help someone.
>
> Others have discussed their use of Research Tasks.
> I use custom event tags for recording "to do", "done" and
> "not found" work, and the Research Tasks in the Research Log
> to prioritize the work and record the dates and costs.
>
> I record the research I wish to do using custom event tags
> in the "Other" group that append the suffix "Find" for
> information I still need to find, and "Nil" for searches
> I have done but did not find the information desired.
> Such custom tags can be defined associated with any standard
> or custom events that you have in your database. I exclude
> these custom research tags from printing in most reports.
>
> By using tags, I can create a single tag linked to multiple
> people that may be involved in that tag. For example, the
> couple are the two principals on my "MarrFind" tag, and
> all the expected members of the household are linked as
> witnesses on my CensusFind tag. Since I also use "pseudo"
> people for various purposes, such as Census people, I can
> also link the tag to those as appropriate. (You will note
> later that I have a custom PSEUDO flag whose value tells me
> whether this is a pseudo person.) Because it is a tag and
> not a task, I can also link multiple sources to the tag.
> However, I always also link a Research Task to every one
> of my "Find" events.
>
> For example, I defined a "BirthFind" tag with a sentence of
> "The [M1] in [L] needs to be searched for a birth record
> for [OBJ]<, using details: [M2]>.< [M3]>"
> I have a matching "BirthNil" tag with its sentence of
> "A birth record for [OBJ] was not found< using details:
> [M2]> in the [M1] in [L].< [M3]>"
> The M3 part of the memos reflect why I think this source
> is likely, and any other comments about this research task.
> If I already have the source in my Master Source list,
> I cite it with "unknown" citation detail for the "Find" tag,
> or cite where I looked on the "Nil" tag. Since they are
> in the same tag group (Other), if I do the research and do
> not find the entry, all I do is fill out the CD and change
> the tag type from "Find" to "Nil" and set the linked Research
> Task on this "Nil" tag to completed. I can then copy the tag
> and simply change the details to look elsewhere, or even have
> multiple "Find" tags reflecting the multiple sources I intend
> to check.
>
> Once I find what I am looking for, I complete the "real" tags
> associated with the "Find" tag with the found source citation.
> And for group Other events, one can just change the tag
> type to the "real" tag and all the links are already there.
> It is a matter of choice whether to now delete the "Find" and
> "Nil" tags, or keep them for your records.
>
> I only use the linked Research Task for recording information
> "about" the task, not for defining the task, since my custom
> tag does that much better. My Task Name always begins with a
> three digit priority/sort code followed by surname,given and
> a tasktype code. For example, "555 Jones, John CENS1900" or
> "243 Jones & Smith MARR" I use the numeric code to sort tasks
> into my priority order. First digit identifies interest from
> 1=critical to 9=someday, second digit for dependency/importance
> from 1=essential 9=informative, and third digit for arbitrary
> sorting. Note that there is no requirement that these sort
> codes be unique, they can represent groups of tasks.
> I use a system of codes in the Keywords as described by others
> to allow selection of tasks. Finally, the comment is strictly
> why this task is important, why it is assigned its priority,
> why I want to find this information, and not the details of
> the task itself.
>
> I then have not one, but two reports I use when I am trying to
> actually do the research. One is the typical List of Tasks,
> the other is a special Individual Narrative I defined.
>
> I sort the List of Tasks by Task Name, which puts them in my
> priority order, and include the keywords and memo. Since the
> task is linked to an event, the event name (MarrFind) and the
> principals of the event (bride & groom) are all that I need to
> find the details of the task in my IN report. Obviously I can
> limit the List of Tasks based on my keywords. For example,
> I have a code for the local library, and can list all tasks
> that might be done there. But since it is just a keyword,
> I can include multiple codes for multiple libraries where this
> source MIGHT be done, and the task will be included for any
> library's keyword limited List of Tasks.
>
> My special Individual Narrative report provides the full details
> of the tasks associated with all individuals. It depends upon
> a custom flag, which can be set automatically as secondary output
> from a custom List of Events report. This flag setting is made
> possible because I use the consistent suffix of "Find" as part
> of all my custom research tag names.
>
> Using the Flag Manager, I (delete if it already exists to reset
> it and then) add a FIND flag with values: N,Y
>
> I defined a List of Events report named "LOE SetFind" to
> not only set the custom FIND flag, but also to check that
> I have remembered to assign a Research Task to every "Find"
> event tag. It uses a Filtered group to define the Subject(s)
> of the report using a Report Filter called "Find tags" defined:
> Tag Type... Label Contains FIND END
> My Output columns are:
> Number of Incomplete Tasks
> Number of Tasks
> Tag Type Label
> 1: Prin1 ID
> Prin1 Last, Given
> Prin2 ID
> Prin2 PSEUDO Flag
> 2: Prin2 Last, Given
>
> Secondary Output is
> Change Flag for All Witnesses of the FIND flag to Y
>
> Now I can produce an Individual Narrative report which I called
> "IN all Find" to print all research task events for all people.
> It uses a simple Filtered group to define the Subject(s) of the
> report using a Report Filter called "Find flag" defined:
> FIND =Equals Y AND
> PSEUDO =Equals N END
> (This custom PSEUDO flag restricts the report to "real" people.
> Obviously you could limit this report with other custom flags
> or any filter capability that you choose.) For this report
> under the TAGS Options tab, I only include the selected
> tags of BMDB, and all my custom "Find" and "Nil" tags,
> and I choose to include sources, bibliography, and memos.
> You can sort as you choose, but I find sorting by ID helps
> me go between the List of Tasks and this IN easier.
>
> Now I can take both the LoT and the IN to the library with me.
> I take both on my Palm PDA using Docs2Go as well as my full
> TMG database using Doug's great GedStar Pro program.
> I work down the LoT in priority order, and check the IN for
> the full details of everything to do for that person.
>
> Just one man's method, but it sure works for me.
> As other's have said, hope these ideas help.
>
>
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