Pedigree charts and family group sheets have long been staples of the genealogist. When I began documenting my ancestral families, I carefully entered information into family group sheets (in pencil) and filed them in binders. I also filled in pedigree charts and learned how to cross-reference them with continuation numbers. The sense of accomplishment was great! I then studied these sheets in detail, pondering relationships and considering the people in context of their geographical locations and the events of their time.
Since the arrival of genealogy software, the method of recording information and documenting the sources has completely changed. It's easy to enter the data and let the program format different views: pedigree, family, and descendants. It's also easy to lose sight of important facts that can only be appreciated by poring over the family group.
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