As I am finally getting back into pursuing my genealogy, I am reconsidering my research data, my analysis techniques, and my approach to collecting, storing, and documenting the proofs of my research. Currently, I am using Family Tree Maker for Mac as my primary (and really only tool) for my research. However, as I read more about the proper methods for collecting, analyzing, and citing the research that I have collected, I am left with the question: "Is this enough?".Of course, one's intent and purpose for doing genealogy will help answer this question. For me, I want to answer several basic questions and curiosities such as "Why did my ancestors move to America?", " Who instilled the strong patriotic and service ethos within the family?", and "Where did some of our family traditions originate?". I also want to pass down the stories that I've been told by my father and mother to my children and their children. Ultimately, I would like to write a book on my family history; therefore, my research must be based on established and accepted standards such as the genealogical proof standard.I started searching the Internet, reading books (currently finishing "Evidence!" by Elizabeth Shown Mills), and several journals and blogs. I came across a software tool called "Evidentia" that takes a completely different approach to collecting, analyzing, and store one's research. It starts with the source document rather than a person. Evidentia looks to enforce a structured review and critique of the evidence to establish a "fact" in your research. This seems very appealing, but I am not sure if this is necessary or not. I welcome any thoughts.Cheers,Dave
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