Linda,

FYI, there is a free edition of Legacy Family Tree software.
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/
It lacks some of the functions of the Deluxe Edition but it still does
so much, including the report I wrote about.

Victor

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Erlinda Castanon-Long"
<longsjourney@y...> wrote:
>
> Victor, thank you for your tips, I've been told Legacy is the 
> Cadillac of genealogy softwear and I will keep it in mind as my next 
> purchase of genealogy tools. My computer skills are limited and it's 
> a learn as I go project.  I just started using the Family Tree 
> program that allows me to put in people who are not related to each 
> other so that when I can tie in a line I only have to merge them, 
> what a blessing that has been!
> thanks again, Linda
> 
> --- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "v.h.villarreal" 
> <raices_regias@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Linda,
> > 
> > I have developed a somewhat similar system but I make use of a
> > function built into my genealogy software (Legacy) where I print 
> out a
> > "source citation report".  Of course this requires that everytime 
> you
> > find a record on the IGI and make an entry in your genealogy 
> database
> > that you record the batch number AND the date of the event as a 
> source. 
> > 
> > With your source citation report on hand you just sort by
> > chronological order the entries grouped by source (batch number). 
> > Then, when you get a chance to review the microfilm of each batch
> > number you just locate each date from your report in a forward
> > sequence, take a picture (or transcribe the manuscript) and move to
> > the next, etc.
> > 
> > The ideal thing would be to read the whole book from start to 
> finish
> > but the circumstances usually make it impractical if not 
> impossible. 
> > This is a very efficient method to get your records fast.  Let's 
> say
> > you need some 20 or 30 records from a microfilm you can get them in
> > about an hour.
> > 
> > Hope this helps someone.  The key is entering the batch number and 
> the
> > event's date with each ancestor record, and then use your 
> software. 
> > The question is if the software you're using has this reporting
> > capability.
> > 
> > Victor Villarreal
> > Reynosa, Mexico
> > 
> > --- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Erlinda Castanon-Long"
> > <longsjourney@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have started using the batch numbers to do the groundwork 
> before 
> > > going to the FHC to read the actual films.  There are so many 
> > > entries that are smeared or too light to read that having them 
> read 
> > > by someone else has been a Godsend. In doing marriage records 
> for 
> > > Tamazula the online batch # gave me a marriage for my ancestor 
> > > Benito Gutierrez that I never would have been able to read on my 
> > > own. I allow for misspelled names and missing dates.  There are 
> > > times when I know I will have to order the film a second time 
> but 
> > > when time is an issue pulling all the surnames I'm researching 
> with 
> > > the % and a surname has saved the day more than once. Now when I 
> go 
> > > to read the film I've already started my record with dates and 
> names 
> > > in sequence so I do them first and then go back and do the 
> complete 
> > > record a second time. I always order at least 2 films because 
> one 
> > > usually is being used by someone else and I've waited up to 2 
> months 
> > > for a film to arrive or as little as 8 days. 
> > > My husband is a contract worker so we've lived in 12 states in 
> the 
> > > last 10 years so there are times when I am trying to get as much 
> > > information for my family lines as possible so time and 
> availability 
> > > can sometimes be an issue for me. If I'm in an area where there 
> is 
> > > no history center I have my groundwork done with the batch #'s 
> and 
> > > ready to go the next time I'm lucky enough to find a city with a 
> > > center.
> > > Any other tips to help use the resources available to us?
> > > Linda in Everett
> > >
> >
>