Family History Terms

FAMILY HISTORY TERMS

PAF: PERSONAL ANCESTAL FILE – A package of computer software programs to be used on a personal computer, allowing you to type in names, dates, and places and link them to families for pedigrees, family groups, and other reports. Download free from www.familysearch.org

FLASH-DRIVE; A storage devise to hold computer files outside your computer.

FILE FOLDER: A place where records are stored, like a file drawer.

FILE: A particular record, like in a file folder in the file drawer.

RIN: RECORD IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. If you choose PAF assigns a RIN number to each person. This is set up in preferences in the tool menu. Choose “names” tab then check RINS in “append to names” box.

MRIN: MARRIAGE RECORD IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. PAF assigns this number.

AFN: ANCESTRAL FILE NUMBER – assigned by the Family History Center in SLC.

BACKUP: This is the command by which we save our files to a Flash-Drive or CD.

ZIP: This is a file extension indicating that this is a PAF 5 backup.

RESTORE: This is the command to restore our backup to a computer.

GEDCOM: (.GED) GENEALOGICAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS - A temporary “suitcase”

used to transport the information from one source or file to another file while

preserving the information and linkages in their original form. GEDCOMS occur

through the “EXPORT” feature or command. RIN numbers do not go with GEDCOMS.

New RIN numbers are assigned when it is imported into another file.

IMPORT: This is the command to restore our backup to a computer

MATCH/MERGE: The process of combining 2 records of the same individual into one.

PAF INSIGHTS: an add-on program for PAF that facilitates checking for missing or incorrect temple ordinances, Corrects errors in your computer software program. Splits your large database for more manageable searching. Correcting places. Merges two databases. Reassigns RIN s (can show you as #1) and more, faster and easier. You’ll need to register on Familysearch before you can use the Temple feature.

( Found in the Tools menu after you have purchased and downloaded the program.)

PAF PAL: A fee based supplemental computer program that allows you to expand old postal U.S. codes and add USA to all states in compliances with the New Family Search, Can delete “ submitted” and “cleared” from your database, and more. ( Found in the Tools menu after you have purchased and downloaded the program.)

TEMPLE READY: This program is used to update temple ordinances and to submit names

for temple work. Only at Family History Library unless you have access to New Family Search

ANCESTRAL FILE: LDS church-owned program into which members and non-members

previously submitted pedigrees. (Current submittals go to Pedigree Resource File)

IGI: INTERNATIONAL GENEALOGICAL INDEX – LDS church-owned records of names where

temple work has been done prior to January 2000. (Note: Ordinance information

does not show unless you “sign in” with your user ID and password.)

IIGI: INTERNET INTERNATIONAL GENEALOGICAL INDEX – Now accessed through PAF Insights. These are LDS church-owned records of names where temple work has been done as soon as 3-5 days ago. This also includes the IGI records. (You must “sign in” with User ID and password to access Temple Ordinance dates.)

PEDIGREE RESOURCE FILE: LDS church-owned program in which members and
non-members can submit pedigrees to share. (Current submittals go here.) You can download information on a GEDCOM and upload to a new PAF file in your computer. You can go online at familyseach.org to see if your information is there, however as of 2007/8 you can only download it at the FHC. These records will be included in the New Family Search program when it is available in our area.

SSDI: Social Security Dearth Index. Linked with Familysearch.org. A computer file that contains death reported to the United Stated Social Security Administration. Most records begin in 1962, however the file does contain a few deaths that occurred before that date.

! For more definitions go to “help” on PAF menu bar and choose Glossary