Beginners Guide To Automated Name Matching An Automated Research Program October 5, 1994 Presented By: Worldwide Family Research Archives This document is an overview of an automated name matching research process that is being offered as a service to all CompuServ and Internet users worldwide. You are invited to share this document with others who are not on CompuServ or Internet and need help with their Genealogical Research. As you enter into on line Genealogy research your first questions might be where do I start doing research? Will I be able to find that persons who are doing research in the same family lines? Will this computer connection get me in contact with other persons who have new information that will help me in my research? Is there a way that I can quickly look through the many GEDCOM databases that are on line and find the names that might be helpful? Will I be able to place my family history research on line where others might receive automated assistance in finding a connection with me through our common pedigree lines? The simple answer is YES. An easy to use service is now available to automatically process your entire GEDCOM database file and deliver back to you a user friendly computer report showing the name matching results along with the matching persons name, address, and telephone number. Below is a sample of the matching reports that you would receive back. An automated README script is also included that will assist you in reviewing these results on your home computer screen. Sample Name Matching File that would be returned to your. A One Year Date Range was used for matching the Birth and/or Death Dates. ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- ANDREWS1 Provided By: Michael Andrews 801-572-6490 CompuServe ID # 74511,2251 EXACT NAME MATCH | *FATHER/SPOUSE & RIN | BIRTH | DEATH | BIRTH PL ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Yours HOPKINS,Bethia William KELSEY-734 Abt 1605 1680 Newton,En ANDREWS1 HOPKINS,Bethia William KELSEY-7944 Abt 1605 Abt 1680 Newton,,E -------- Yours HOPKINS,Nicholas Mary POOLE-765 1548 Norfolk,E ANDREWS1 HOPKINS,Nicholas POORE OR POOLE-7988 Abt 1548 Norfolk,E -------- Yours KELSEY,Abigail John HULL-710 Apr 1645 May 1717 Hartford, ANDREWS1 KELSEY,Abigail *William KELSEY-7944 Apr 1645 May 1717 Hartford, -------- KELSEY,Daniel Mary STEVENS-706 Jul 1650 Jun 1727 Hartford, ANDREWS1 KELSEY,Daniel *William KELSEY-7944 Jul 1650 Jun 1727 Hartford, -------- KELSEY,John H DISBOROUGH-712 Oct 1636 Jul 1709 Cambridge ANDREWS1 KELSEY,John *William KELSEY-7944 Oct 1636 Jul 1709 Cambridge -------- KELSEY,Mark Rebecca HOSKINS-735 Abt 1632 Feb 1723 England ANDREWS1 KELSEY,Mark *William KELSEY-7944 Abt 1632 Feb 1723 Windsor,H -------- KELSEY,Mary J GILLETT(E)-714 1633 Apr 1676 Cambridge ANDREWS1 KELSEY,Mary *William KELSEY-7944 Abt 1633 Apr 1676 Cambridge -------- KELSEY,Stephen Hannah INGERSOL-708 Nov 1647 Nov 1710 Hartford, ANDREWS1 KELSEY,Stephen *William KELSEY-7944 Nov 1647 Nov 1710 Hartford, -------- KELSEY,William Bethia HOPKINS-733 1600 1680 Chelmsfor ANDREWS1 KELSEY,William Bethia HOPKINS-7945 Abt 1600 1680 Chelmsfor -------- KELSEY,William *William KELSEY-734 Mar 1654 Abt 1654 Hartford, ANDREWS1 KELSEY,William *William KELSEY-7944 Mar 1654 Hartford, -------- LOOMIS,Joseph *John LOOMIS-437 Nov 1651 ANDREWS1 LOOMIS,Joseph Hannah MARSH-7618 Nov 1651 Abt 1699 ,Windsor, -------- LOOMIS,Samuel *John LOOMIS-437 Jun 1655 ANDREWS1 LOOMIS,Samuel *Samuel LOOMIS-8188 Abt 1654 Nov 1711 Farmingto -------- LOOMIS,Samuel *Joseph LOOMIS-470 1628 ANDREWS1 LOOMIS,Samuel Elizabeth JUDD-8189 1628 Oct 1689 Messing O -------- LOOMIS,Thomas *John LOOMIS-437 Dec 1653 ANDREWS1 LOOMIS,Thomas *Thomas LOOMIS-8211 Oct 1654 ,,Conn. -------- NOTE: The first person listed in this file is the person form your database, and the second person listed directly following is the person or persons that matched from the other submitted database. You will always be able to depend on our program providing this easy to read format. Unlike other matching programs that force your data into computer readable formats to allow for convenient computer matching, we keep the data in an easy to read format. The second file that you receive back is a quick reference directory for your convince in looking up the Name, Address, Phone number, and Network Email ID listing persons you matched with from the previous report. Each of these files are sent to you in what we call ASCII format so they can be brought into your favorite word processor and send on to the printer with minimal effort. Sample Directory File you will receive from the matching program: ------------------------------------------------------- Michael & Susie Andrews 801-572-6490 CompuServe ID# 74511,2251 P.O. Box 11097 Salt Lake City Utah 84147-1097 Database Name: andrews1 Bernard Williamson 619-663-8426 CompuServe ID# 100074,232 1142 Bridgehampton Street. San Marcos California 92011 Database Name: williams Frederick Ellison 510-645-4315 Your Roots BBS 801-359-0925 15 Powers Court Sandy Utah 84012-2492 Database Name: ellison -------------------------------------------------------- Once you have located another person that has the GEDCOM database with names of interest, you can contact them directly by phone or by Email and exchange information about your family records, or you can look into the CompuServ Genealogy Forum Library "Info on Surnames" area and see if the GEDCOM file of interest is there. You would need to use the SEARCH option within the CompuServe Library to locate the persons files under their surname name. The database name listed in the above directory report is for reference to persons in the name matching program only. It does not reflect the GEDCOM file names of for database files that was stored on CompuServe. MATCHING PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Over the last four years, the name matching program has received over 850 databases with approximately 2.2 million names in these research files. This research database is now the third largest collection of pedigree linked data in the world. We are presently receiving between 10 to 15 new databases per day (approximately 20,000 names per day) for processing from locations all around the world. To date we have received databases from Germany, England, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Wales, and throughout the United States. We have also matched a large number of databases for family organizations who have made use of this program. The computer system that is used for the name matching program is not part of CompuServ . It is a stand alone private computer system that links into all network as a regular user. This service is being provided through the efforts of a private individual who has a strong desire to help other families find and hopefully make progress in doing their family history research. We are striving for the highest level of data quality in this program. We ask that sources and notes be included within your database submission. The databases in this program should be viewed as the opinions of others in an ongoing process to refine historical information. Every database that we receive is put through a rigorous clean up process that insures that the pedigree links are in good condition. We run a cleanup programs that look for unlinked pedigree trees and then removes the stand alone individuals. That way when you find matches with another persons databases, you are assured of finding the largest possible linked pedigrees. We store each separate database as a persons private collection. We do not merge database collections together or make corrections to them. We look to each person submitting their database to be the primary owner of that data and ask that when you make major modifications or updates that you send to us an updated copy. We realize that searching for family history information is an ongoing process that sometimes takes time. Therefore when a person submits their database into the matching program, your database will continue to stay active in this program without you paying annual fees. Others who come into the program over time will be linking to your database at the time of their arrival. PRICING FOR THE MATCHING PROGRAM: We are working to keep the matching program at the lowest possible costs while insuring good service and providing a good value for our participants. Select one of the following options. 1. Name Matching of your entire database file. $15.00 US 2. Re-submission and matching of your database after updates. $10.00 US 3. An annual research partnership program. Searching for your family history is not a one time activity. It sometimes requires patience. For this reason we have established this research partnership. This annual membership fee will insure your access to the matching program for an ongoing yearly basis. During the year you will receive three complete database matches and up to six surname listing reports at your convince throughout the year. Requests for services may come through the US Mail, CompuServe ID# 74511,2251, or through Internet access at wwfamily@xmission.com OR: 74511,2251@compuserve.com $30.00 Per/Year HOW DO YOU SUBMIT YOUR DATABASE FILE: Here is a simple three step process to submit your database file for name matching. 1.MAC and MS-DOS PC Users Place your database file into GEDCOM format. Include Sources and notes. Include your Name, Address and Phone Number within the GEDCOM file. If you need help with this step, ask a friend for help or send out an Email message into the Genealogy forum and ask for help with your specific software program. 2. MS-DOS PC Users Only: If you happen to have access to the PKZIP program, it is helpful to shrink your GEDCOM file down to a much smaller size. This will reduce the communication costs going into and out of CompuServe. Example: PKZIP JONES 3. MAC and MS-DOS PC Users on CompuServ. Place your GEDCOM database into the Genealogy Forum under the Library conference called the "Info About Surnames" library. Then send an Email message to Mike Andrews at 74511,2251 to let me know you have placed your database into the forum. (MAC users. Please identify that you are using a MAC PC computer system. We must format your matching results for the MAC computer.) OR: 4. MAC and MS-DOS PC Users on Internet. Attach your (NON-ZIPPED) GEDCOM file to an Email message and send your message to wwfamily@xmission.com (Michael Andrews). We will send your matching results back to you attached to an Email message. OR: A second method for sending us your GEDCOM file in ZIPPED format is with the use of FTP. (File Transfer Protocal) Log into our system at xmission.com with the login of wwfamily and password of guest!family. Then place your file within the incoming.ged sub-directory. We will then send you Email to let you know when to pick up your matching results. Your matching results can be found in a single file called (YourLastName.EXE) You will be able to find it within the outgoing.mat sub-directory area. That is all you have to do to have your entire database matched. Everything else is done automatically. You will receive back through Email a message that your matching results file is complete and can be found in "Info on Surname" area. You will find a file with the name of (YourLastName).EXE. You can then download this file onto your DOS or MAC PC and place this file into an empty sub-directory. For MS-DOS users type (YourLastName) and the .EXE file will automatically unpack itself. Your then type README to review your name matching results. For the MAC users, the three matching files will be linked together into a single TEXT file in ASCII format. You can then download this TEXT file from CompuServe or Internet and place it into your favorite word processor. (There will be no automatic README script for the MAC users) OPTIONAL WAY TO SUBMIT YOUR DATABASE: MAC and MS-DOS PC users Mail in Program. Another option is to place your GEDCOM files or PAF software backup files onto a MS-DOS or MAC formatted floppy disk. You can use either the 3.5" floppy disks or the 5.25" floppy disks. Place your disk into an approved floppy disk mailer, and within a few days your floppy disk will be returned with your name matching results. You place the floppy disk into your computer and just type README. This is a good way for all your friends who would like to match their database files but do not have access to CompuServe. Please be sure to include your Name, Address and Phone Number. Send me Email if your have additonal questions: wwfamily@xmission.com OR: CompuServ ID# 74511,2251 You can mail your floppy disk and checks for payments to: Mike Andrews P.O. Box 11097 Salt Lake City, Utah 84147-1097