Add a search feature to the Source Box

LegacyUser

Jean McGonigle Farnsworth said: Hello FamilySearch,
I would like to request an enhancement that would enable users to search the Source Box. I have thousands of sources that I have created and added, and once in the Source Box, I have a great deal of trouble finding a source that was added in the past. I have to page through the source box and use the browser's Find feature to find a search string, one page at a time. Please make it easier to find previously added sources in the source box!
Thanks for considering my idea,
-jeannie farnsworth

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: I do not believe - or personally use the Source Box as a repository for all sources in my family tree. I believe the original intent of the Source Box was as a "work-in-progress" storage for sources . . . when properly edited and attached to all relevant individuals it can and in my usage - be removed from the Source Box.

Organisation within the source box is limited to divisions of up to 50 sub-folders to use.

But then - surely the best way to find an attached source is to access any of the persons it was intended to be attached to?

LegacyUser

Jean McGonigle Farnsworth said: Is there a way to start with an attached source on a person page (or for a couple relationship) and go directly to attaching the same source to another individual? For example, if I add source for a marriage record to a couple, and then several months later decide to attach that marriage record to one of the couple's parents as evidence of the parent's name, how would I do that without having to "attach from source box"?

The reason I have so many sources in my source box is exactly so that they will still be around if I need them again. These sources are snapshots from or URLs to an external Web site that is not included in the FamilySearch catalog, nor is it indexed.

Thanks for any help you can provide :-).

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: From the source that is attached to an individual you can access . . .
- open the source - click "View"
- select "Copy to my Source Box"
- go into the Source Box - the "copied" source will be the top item (or the only item if you remove all sources from the source box when you are finished with them) - open the source and edit the title to get rid of the "Copy of" prefix that has been added to the title and any other title change that may better suit its new attachment.
- now, any of the additional persons of interest to the source can be accessed and this source "Attached from the Source Box"

LegacyUser

Jean McGonigle Farnsworth said: Wow. This is fantastic. Thank you!!!

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: PS to my reply above . . .

For any use of the Source Box - you need to be aware that if a source is attached from the source box to multiple individuals . . . any subsequent change you make to that source located with any one individual will be reflected in that same source attached to all other individuals. (and does not matter if the source has been "removed" from the source box)

However - making a "Copy" of the source back into the Source Box creates a new different copy/version of the source and when attached to other individuals will not be updated in line with any changes to the original source from which the copy was made.

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: Oops . . . my original reply has gone missing . . .

To get an already attached source back into the source box to be attached to other individuals . . .

open the source as found against an individual . . .
- use "View" then "Copy to Source Box"
- edit the entry in the Source Box - will be at the top of the list - to remove the prefixed "Copy of" and otherwise adjust the title if needed for its further attachments.
- then for the other individuals connected to the source "Attach from the Source Box"

my PS above may make more sense now.

LegacyUser

Paul said: It is always interesting to read how other patrons utilise the facilities in Family Tree. I rarely use the Source Box and believe its main attribute lies in it being a place to save sources that cannot be immediately attached to any individual in Family Tree. Further than that, I would follow Stewart's advice: it will save a lot of unnecessary clutter in your Source Box!

LegacyUser

Bruce Compton said: I support this request for the reasons already stated.

There are valid reasons for retaining records in the Source Box, but the most important one is that these records are usually created in the Film Viewer or from external sources and often contain full text and explanatory notes. In terms of time, recreating these records would be very expensive.

I avoid using the Copy Source function. Because most records are linked to more than one person, I attach only to the Source Box record so that I can look at the record with View and see all of the people linked to the source.

For those records linked to more than one person, there is a 'master' record. When I change the source on one individual's record, I change all.

I do not retain indexed entries in the Source Box. I only retain source records that were created through "old school" research, and have have over 1000 of them.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Bruce

'Thank You', for you excellent input into this post.

'Yes', perfectly put, as I fumblingly tried to explain ... "For those records linked to more than one person, there is a 'master' record. When I change the source on one individual's record, I change all".

You certainly put it more elegantly and succinctly that I was able to; and, I did not even think of or mention the many, many, many, many ( of my ) User / Patron created "Sources" that have been attached.

The "Source Box", for a number of Users / Patrons, has grown well beyond the original concept of a "Temporary" 'Work Space" to "Store" those "Sources" that have not been attached.

Certainly not all ( or, possibly, even the majority ) of Users / Patrons even use the "Source Box"; and, certainly, not beyond the original concept of a "Temporary" 'Work Space" to "Store" those "Sources" that have not been attached; but, I would suggest there are enough Users / Patrons that do use the "Source Box" well beyond the original concept of a "Temporary" 'Work Space" to "Store" those "Sources" that have not been attached, to warrant more and better "Tools" within the "Source Box"; especially, a "Search" facility, as is the original concept put forward in this post.

Brett

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: Any source that you put in the Source Box - and then attach to multiple individuals . . . can be removed from the source box . . . and any subsequent change you make to any one of the attached sources will be reflected in all the source attachments for that source - such changes do not have to made from a copy in the source box - it is not a "master" copy.

Using the "View" for any source will show the list of all individuals it is attached to - without needing to be in the source box.

Trying to make the Source Box into something if was not intended for is bound to give you problems.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Stewart

In relation to you comment above: ... "and any subsequent change you make to any one of the attached sources will be reflected in all the source attachments for that source - such changes do not have to made from a copy in the source box - it is not a "master" copy."

That statement may be correct.

But, ...

I have, both, (1) "Copied" a "Source(s)"; and, (2) "Re-Added" a "Source(s)", that are / already exists, ( somewhere, which I cannot easily find, due to no "Search" facility; or, quickly find the individuals / persons to whom they were attached ) in my "Source Box" and attached to individual / persons in "Family Tree"; and, when I added additional content to the "Title" of the 'Copied' and / or 'Re-Added' "Source(s)"; even though, those "Source(s)" were / are already attached to individuals / persons in "Family Tree", the added additional content to the "Title" of the "Source" DID NOT appear in the "Title" of the "Source" for those individuals / persons to which the "Source" had been previous attached ( even after "Refreshing", to be certain ).

I even did a test the aforementioned premise; before, I submitted my previous "Reply", above.

So, in effect, the original "Source" in a User's / Patron's "Source Box" is a form of a "Master" record.

We are have simply extended the functionality of the "Source Box"; beyond, the original concept of a "Temporary" 'Work Space" to "Store" those "Sources" that have not been attached - just like is the situation for "Labels", which was originally intended for the "Early Utah Mormon Pioneers Overland Travel ( 1847 - 1868 )" and the "Companies" associated with that Travel - now, in my view, THAT has got out of hand.

Brett

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: Brett & Bruce,

I know my earlier replies above outlined my understanding of the "copy" version of any source re-added to the source box totally in line with your explanation.

Technically, I would not believe there is any "master" copy - merely a single source record with links to all the individuals it is attached to . . . and for each individual, links to the source records attached.

If you add a source record from the source box to multiple individuals - and do not include all the family individuals involved . . . then the attachment is incomplete . . . and it ought to stay in the source box - somewhere amongst the allowed fifty folders - pending the finding and attachment to the remaining individuals.

However, if all possible individuals are attached . . . then there is absolutely no purpose in keeping it in the source box.

If any form of attachment error or omission is made and the source has been removed from the source box . . . the working method to repair that is to create a copy into the source box . . . go to the "View" and detach from all the attached individuals . . . then go into the source box - appropriately edit the title and attach to the complete, added or modified set of individuals . . . followed by its removal from the source box . . . this will perpetuate the ability to modify any one occurrence of the attached source and be reflected in all attachments.

The source box can be a very useful tool rather than a needless repository for all the third-party attached sources . . . in my view.

The modification I would recommend . . . is to have from the "View" > Attached List . . . (which already has a Detach button against each individual ) - to have an "Attach" button - with name and id search options - to enable the attachment of any further individuals rather than the workaround I have described above.

LegacyUser

Bruce Compton said: The inability to attach a person to the list of individuals linked to an existing source is key. So long as that functionality is lacking, the record in the source box has to stay.

The list of individuals linked to a source is not necessarily static. When someone performs and ill-advised and messy merge, it is sometimes easier to create a new person and move the sources to the new record. Sometimes a re-evaluation of the source shows that the wrong "John Smith" is linked. The current functionality can be used to resolve these issues, but only by linking to a record in the source box.

Not only do I still support a Search feature in the source box, but I also request a Sort feature. I structure my source records in such a way that sorting would a useful addition.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Bruce

Spot on.

=====

Stewart

Sometimes, more information/details comes to light through further research; and, you find out that the "Source" that has already been attached to an individual(s)/person(s), for whatever reason, can be attached to another/other individuals/ persons; so, I personally would like to be able to go back into my "Source Box" and "ADD" the original version of the "Source" from my "Source Box"; so that, that "Source" has the exact same (sometimes with additional content) information as the "Source" from my "Source Box".

The problem/issue, as I have already stated, is that if you either,

(1) "Copy" a "Source(s)"; and/or,

(2) "Re-Added" a "Source(s)",

That are/already exists, (somewhere, which you cannot easily find, due to no "Search" facility; or, quickly find the individuals/persons to whom they were attached) in your "Source Box" and attached to individual/persons in "Family Tree"; and, when you added additional content to the "Title" of, either, the (1) 'Copied' and/or (2) 'Re-Added' "Source(s)"; even though, those "Source(s)" were/are already attached to individuals/persons in "Family Tree", the added additional content to the "Title" of the "Source" DOES NOT appear in the "Title" of the "Source" for those individuals/persons to which the "Source" had been previous attached (even after "Refreshing", to be certain).

And,

The "Source Box" is a very useful "Tool".

Just because some Users/Patrons also maintain/store "Sources" that they "Created" (ie. What you call "Third-Party") in the "Source Box" does mean that it is needless repository. Quite often, those created "Sources", can; and, are, attached to subsequent individuals/persons. And, I know that you stated that was your view - each to their own.

=====

"Official 'FamilySearch' Representatives

In the "Source Box":

A "Search" facility, as originally requested in this post ( and previous posts ), would be very much appreciated.

And, as has been requested later in this post, a "Sort" facility, would also be very much appreciated.

Submitted for you consideration.

'Thank You'.

Brett

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: I realise this discussion has been on-going for a while and I really do not want to strain your patience.

I fully understand the position of wanting the search facility being requested - in order to more easily maintain the sources stored in your source box - I just think it is the wrong solution to the wrong question.

However, I have one final scenario that needs consideration . . . and that is when, say, you have created and attached this source (in your source box) to 3 individuals.

A distant cousin contributor sees this and is the first to realise that this source also applies to a fourth individual.

Ideally - and the modification I would like - is that in viewing of the attachments that this new contributor can attach this source to that fourth individual - which will automatically update the attachments in your source box entry if you had elected to keep it there. That facility is not there - so what he can do . . .

first option . . . make a copy of "your" source to their source box and attach it to the fourth individual . . . you will only ever see this when and if you make the same research connection to the fourth individual . . . and the two identical sources will remain separate without any further action. Not the best solution.

second option . . . the new contributor recognises the shortcomings involved in copying and attaching a source . . . and recognises the workaround for this situation . . . to make the copy to their source box . . . detach the source from the existing 3 individuals and then attach his source box source to the more complete set of 4 individuals . . . . the result of which will be that the same source is now shared between the 4 individuals, allowing common/shared modifications - but your (original) source box entry will now not be attached to any individuals although you will still see the source attached to each individual - and any modification you make to any one of these attached source will be reflected in all 4 attachments and in the other contributors source box (but only in the source box entry if they have opted not to remove it from their source box).

Having to allow for open editing in FS FT means that "your" sources may not always be "yours".

To my mind . . . all solved if we had an "Attach" facility when viewing attachments and which supports the temporary nature of using the source box.

LegacyUser

Victor Garrido said: That is extremely useful and at same time extremely convoluted. I will need to copy your post in order of not forgetting it.
I simply wish a search function or the ability to tag better sources, specially marriage certificates.
At same time, I have already the source in my source list of that person. Why Im forced to create a duplicate?

LegacyUser

Pierre Isabelle said: ...unless that person disappeared, which I suspect happened to me.

LegacyUser

brentsweeny said: Victor wrote "why am I forced to create a duplicate?" -- you're right that you shouldn't have to, and that it makes an already-large source box even larger and more unwieldy--but that's the *easiest* way to put something into the source box so that you can find it again! otherwise it could be buried down on page 30 and take you an hour to find.

LegacyUser

Peter Williams3 said: I came here to suggest this very same feature. I'm happy that someone is on the same wave length as me. A search bar for the source box would be totally awesome and definitley valuable and much needed.

LegacyUser

mykdav said: If you browse to a person who has the source you can no longer find in SOURCE BOX, and open that source, not at the top, but near the top, there is a TOOLS button you can select.
Doing this will allow you to add the source to SOURCE BOX (I know, it's already there, right?).
The source will be added to the top of the list.
You can then browse to the person needing the source and attach the source from SOURCE BOX; it will be right at the top of the list, on that first page.

LegacyUser

Stewart Millar said: I believe this will only work for FS Historical Records used as sources - it will not work for 3rd party web site sources nor for gallery documents used as sources as the only avenue for putting these into the Source Box is to create a "Copy" which will zeroise the existing attachments.

LegacyUser

Justin Masters said: I've long asked for the ability to add another person's attachment to a source. I've missed attaching an ancestor that I attached in 2015, and I have over 10,000 sources in my source box. I can't search for it, and there's only the ability to jump ahead 5 sources at a time. Uh... yeah.

Sure copying it is one way around this problem, but then you have to duplicate all the attachments to original people, then delete the old source from all people. That is an exercise fraught with danger.

If the church is trying to bring greater quality to the records attached to individuals, then please add the functionality to add a person to a record.

We have the ability to remove someone from a source, but not add someone???

Perhaps sources can also have change logs...

LegacyUser

Brett said: Justin

G'Day again.

Only over 10000.
I am a little over 23250 currently.

And, "Sources" do have a form of a "ChangeLog" - just select "View".

That shows, both, "Latest Changes" (a "ChangeLog" of sorts); and, "Attached To".

The problem/issue is that you have to have the "Source" handy to do so.

Brett

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LegacyUser

Justin Masters said: Hi Brett. I know I can see who all is attached to that source, but I want to add another person, and can't.

I've done the duplicate thing (copy a source) but that's a really painful alternative and was hard to get rid of the RIGHT (now) duplicate source, before someone else was faced with seeing "two sources" for respective people, and just whacking away at one of them - possibly the right one.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Justin

Believe me, I know exactly what you mean.
I never do those "Copy" to "Source Box" (any more, once was enough).
Try searching more than twice what you have have, nightmare.

It is very disappointing that many suggestions/requests for enhancements to the "Source Box" are not being made, regardless of the many competing priorities in "Family Tree" (plus, the Other "Parts") of "FamilySearch"; and, the limited resources available in/to "Family Search".

Brett

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