International Internet
Genealogical Society
Projects Registry FAQ

1. What is the purpose of the Projects Register?
2. What type of projects should I look for? Which projects are appropriate for submission to the Register?
3. Are there projects that I should not submit for inclusion in the Register?
4. Who should submit information on appropriate projects?
5. How do I pass on this information about a project that I think should be in the Projects Register?
6. What information do I need to have about the project I am submitting?
7. Are there things I should do before I transmit this project information?
8. Where do I find more information about the IIGS™? How do I become a member?

---

1. What is the purpose of the Projects Register?

The Projects Register serves a number of purposes. The first is that it is a means of letting the international genealogical community know what projects are underway to make genealogical data freely accessible by way of the Internet. There are many projects underway or planned by volunteers working hard to make documentary information available in digital form. By knowing what is being worked on, genealogists can plan ahead for what will be available in their field of interest. The other important purpose is to publicize the need of these projects so that those interested can volunteer their time and expertise. Many of these projects need you, the volunteer, to bring their projects to reality. So, if you are interested and have the time, please contact the person shown on the Registration of the project of your choice for more information.
Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

2. What type of projects should I look for? Which projects are appropriate for submission to the Register?

There are four elements that a project should have in order to be entered in the Projects Register. These are projects that:

1. are planned or are still in progress. A project with a specific end defined that still needs input may be included.
2. will provide free access to its data.
3. will provide this access via the Internet.
4. will be of interest to a significant segment of the genealogical community.

Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

3. Are there projects that I should not submit for inclusion in the Register?

Any project which is open ended, such as a surname file will not be listed. The surname file will carry on indefinitely with continuous input, without any need for assistance. It is dependent only upon new entries by searchers. However, if that file needed programming volunteers to change or automate the system it would be appropriate for the Register.

Any project that decided to charge for service of its data would also not be suitable as the goal of the Register is to assist in providing free access to genealogical information. However a minor charge for postage or printout costs would not exclude the project.

There are also instances of projects deciding not to place their data on-line for various reasons. This would place these projects out of the eligibility of the Register as, in addition to free access, our purpose is to make such information available via the Internet.

And last, the project has to be of general genealogical interest. We are sorry, but family history projects and the like, while important genealogically, are not suitable for the Projects Register as they are restricted in the range of the number of genealogists interested in the project content.
Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

4. Who should submit information on appropriate projects?

The owners of the projects that need help are the obvious persons to apply to enter their projects. Others who hear of or know of genealogical projects should submit this information as a helpful gesture and contribution to creating more available genealogical information on line. Genealogists using news groups, reading newsletters of genealogical organizations, as well as news from commercial genealogical software and services companies can gain information to be passed on to the Project Registry. Some of the information may be incomplete but we will try to fill in the gaps by contacting the source of the information.
Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

5. How do I pass on this information about a project that I think should be in the Projects Register?

To register information regarding your project, complete the Application for Project Registration. The data requested will give us the information needed to tell the genealogical community your plans, your progress and/or your needs to complete your project.
Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

6. What information do I need to have about the project I am submitting?

This is the key data for any project . Where possible do not to use abbreviations. The register is translated into many different languages and the abbreviations you use may not be understood by a volunteer speaking another language.

1. The name of the project. How is it referred to?
2. The URL that has more information that will help the volunteer decide whether to offer his/her service.
3. A contact name if available, along with that contact's email address.
4. Your name as submitter of the project, with your email address. Someone may want to contact you for some explanation of what you have provided.
5. The description of the project. A good explanation is important. What are they intending to do and why. The description should be full enough to be self explanatory.
6. What skills, if any, are needed by a volunteer to participate in this project. Include any information you have as to the time requirements on the volunteer.
7. What is the status of the project? Is it still being planned, in progress, or is it a project that requires volunteer help to handle continuing input.

Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

7. Are there things I should do before I transmit this project information?

Yes there are, and they are important. Verify that the project you are describing still exists. Unfortunately some projects which appear in the genealogy world do not make it; they disappear for a variety of reasons. Please ensure that any email addresses of the contacts are correct and current. Be sure that the project has not been completed and, if possible, verify that the end product of the project will provide free access via the Internet. If you can not, we will have to do this.
Back to FAQ Table Of Contents

8. Where do I find more information about the IIGS™? How do I become a member?

Click on the Home Page entry below where you will find more information on the IIGS™, its mission and its vision for the future. From there you can see what the various teams are and what they offer to members. And we certainly hope you will want to become a member of the IIGS™ and perhaps one of its teams. You can find out about membership by clicking the entry "join the IIGS™". We look forward to hearing from you.
Back to FAQ Table Of Contents