New NGS Course: Transcribing, Extracting & Abstracting Genealogical Documents

NGS Introduces New Online Course: 

Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting Genealogical Documents

The National Genealogical Society today announced its newest course in our Continuing Genealogical Studies series: Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting Genealogical Documents. The course is designed to teach family historians the skills needed to examine, analyze, and apply information accurately from any kind of document to further their genealogical research. It serves both as a refresher course for the experienced genealogist and as a comprehensive tutorial for those who are working to acquire these skills.

The purpose of family history research is not merely to trace your ancestors but also to prove their relationships in your family tree. Simply duplicating documents will not accomplish these goals. The way to build a family tree accurately and successfully is through the careful examination and analysis of those documents. This can be accomplished by fully transcribing a document, extracting selected portions, or abstracting the important information while leaving the nonessential legal language out.

In a step-by-step format, Julie Miller, CG®, CGLSM, FNGS, a full-time professional researcher, speaker, and writer, teaches how to transcribe, extract, and abstract documents along with when to use each process. The course includes multiple examples, videos, and guidelines for working with deeds and wills as well as other types of documents. The many exercises in each of the ten modules give students hands-on experience working with documents and refining their skills. To learn more about Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting Genealogical Documents, visit the NGS website.

Extract or Abstract? Both Are Vital Skills

Image as appeared with original article, http://www.theindepthgenealogist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/browse1.jpeg

Recently The In-Depth Genealogist talked about abstracts versus extracts though there is also a link to Ten Tips and Reasons to Transcribe Documents..

First, what’s the difference between an extract and an abstract? An extract is a word for word copy of important portions of a document. An abstract summarizes the important points in a document. Abstracts also allow for the use of your own personal style.

She goes on to discuss how they are similar and yet different and their importance to your research.  Read her entire article.

I know that a lot of genealogists and family historians struggle with determining what details they should or should not include in an abstract.  To help with that, here are some resources about extracts, abstracts and transcriptions with respect to genealogical research:

• Abstracting & Transcribing Genealogical Documents (Kimberly Powell, About.com)
• Index, Abstract, Extract, Transcription, Translation (California State Genealogical Alliance)

Need more assistance, consider the NGS online course Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting Genealogical Records.

What is the single most important tip you would give to someone who will be “abstracting” documents?

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