Genealogy Data Collection Form and Instructions
This template is intended for internal family data collection and does not presume connections to notable figures or unverified ancestral origins. Each important item of information should retain its source, reviewer, and date.
| Field Group | Required Information | Filling Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Member Identity | ID, name, gender | The ID must be unique; former names and genealogy names should be listed separately and should not replace the legal ID name. |
| Family Relationships | Parent and spouse IDs | Use IDs to establish relationships, and avoid writing only “eldest son” or “second branch,” which makes the person impossible to identify. |
| Dates and Places | Birth, death, ancestral home, migration | Keep the original wording for uncertain dates, such as “circa 1930.” |
| Family Information | Generation name, hall name, branch | Indicate which edition of the old genealogy or which elder the information came from, and do not mix information from different branches. |
| Personal Information | Education, occupation, deeds | Focus on verifiable facts and avoid exaggerated evaluations and sensitive private information. |
| Evidence Records | Sources, reviewer, date | You may record old genealogy volume and page numbers, documents, tombstones, oral informants, or photo numbers. |
Recommended Collection Sequence
- First enter yourself, your parents, grandparents, and children to form a verifiable three-generation relationship.
- Have each branch select one data contact to collect information on its own members, avoiding one person guessing all relationships.
- Create a separate table for old genealogy content, indicating volume, page numbers, and compilation period, then connect it with contemporary members.
- Create an issues table for conflicts involving birth dates, marriages, adoption, migration, and similar matters; do not directly overwrite the original data.
- Proceed to genealogy text writing and layout design only after confirmation by family representatives.
What the Template Cannot Solve
The collection form can standardize the format, but it cannot automatically prove ancestral origins, hall names, or connections to notable figures. Cases involving identical names, out-of-contact branches, cross-regional migration, and gaps in old genealogies require verification with multiple sources.
Before sharing publicly, delete mobile phone numbers, ID numbers, detailed addresses, information about minors, and any content that family members have explicitly requested to keep confidential.
Have a Large Amount of Data and Need Help Organizing It?
Describe the number of members, the status of old genealogies, and your current progress, and we will determine whether it is more suitable to first build a digital genealogy or to start compilation directly.