A Genealogy Coding System

      After just a few years into all this genealogy stuff (now 62 years), it became obvious that a coding method would be helpful. Can you imagine how many John Jones there were in my Jones surname family tree? How to keep all these folks separated...generation after generation...and organized in a way to find anyone when it was time to piece together some of the tree branches. Since I am about to begin my own Jones surname family tree, explaining the method developed in the Y-chromosome transmission would be of assistance. Let's begin with the first three generations of my family as shown in the last post of February 27th. Here is that part of the branches as demonstrated.

     Now the first step was to code each generation of the family tree beginning with the founder (first in line as far back as one discovered). Using the English alphabet capital A-Z, each generation could be labeled and placed in chronological order for 26 generations.  Then, the letter "J" was used to label each individual as belonging to the JONES surname. Thus, for the first generation each family member would be identified "JA"...second generation "JB"...third generation "JC"...and on down the line. Next, each member would be given the number (#) as they were being discovered, such that the first grandfather would be coded "JA-1". His wife would be "JA-2" since you would not be here if each "JA-1" did not have a "JA-2"! When grandfather two (maternal side) was identified, he would be coded "JA-3" (wife JA-4) meaning they were in the first generation (A) and the 3rd and 4th individuals to be named. The second generation would be coded "JB", third generation "JC", and on down the line until "JZ" would be the 26th generation. Using the figure drawn above, first in line was Gadforch (JA-1) with wife's name undiscovered (JA-2). Their son was Ynyr (JB-1) with Rhiengar (JB-2). Their son was Tydyr (JC-1) with Anghard (JC-2) as shown. Down the line you can go, in structure and concept, even though each family member might not be identified by name. Give this method a go using your own family tree with what ever your surname. Just begin your coding with the first letter of your line of descent.