Using Notes in PAF

1. Notes can be used to document stories, descriptions, explanations ore research reminders.
2. Notes should only be used when an appropriate field cannot be found or the information isn’t such that it should be entered as a source.
3. As with all things genealogy, being consistent will make the work easier for you in the future as well as those you share you information with.
4. Notes should be used to supplement information contained in PAF. For example The birth data and location will be listed in the individual’s information and sources for that information will be listed there as well. But maybe you have conflicting sources on the exact date. This is where you can detail the differences and why you chose the one you did.
5. Notes should contain sufficient detail and common terminology to be understood by all readers. Don’t use abbreviations

Entering Notes in PAF

1. PAF contains a feature called the Note Selector. This feature helps you organize your notes and filter between the different types of notes.
2. To turn this feature on:
   a. Go to Tools and then Preferences.
   b. In the window that opens click on the General tab.
   c. On the right you will see Display Notes Selector
   d. Make sure both boxes are checked.
3. Now when you click the note icon PAF will ask you which type of note you want to add.
4. PAF comes with some of the most common tags already listed for you. If you’d like to add a new note tag, click add and enter the tag name. If you’d like it to be a public tag enter a ! as the first character, or a ~ to make it confidential. You do not need to add the colon, PAF will automatically add this.
5. The tags with an asterisk (*) are those that already contain information.
6. The Notes Selector does not work with Marriage Notes, only individuals.
   

Organizing your notes

! Print: If you want to print selected notes, type an exclamation point (!) as the first character of the note. These are also called public notes as they are ones you would always want printed in reports.

~ Confidential: If you want to keep a note confidential, type a tilde (~) as the first character. These will not be exported with other notes when you create a GEDCOM.

TAG: If you want to search for, view, or print certain types of note information, add a Tag to the front. A Tag is one word with a colon, or two words connected by a hyphen (-) or underscore (_).

Here are some of the more common Tags use by others:

• Event: Adoption, Divorce, Cremation, Naturalization, etc.
• Subjects: Biography, Citizenship, Education, Honors, Military, Occupation, etc.
• Research: Action, Comments, Conflicts, Error, Deadend, etc.
• LDS Events: Baptism, Confirmation, Deacon, Elder, Patriarchal Blessing, etc.

For more information on entering notes, you can access the Notes Lesson in PAF by going to Help > Lessons > Notes and Sources.