DAY TWO OF THE MICHIGAN DEATH CERTIFICATES JOURNEY–NOW WHAT?

So, we’ve all been online checking the SeekingMichigan site for those 1921-1939 Michigan death certificates.  I had great luck in finding mine. 

The end count was 33!

 

After I created my list from the search feature in Legacy 8, I began going through it for those who might have died in Michigan.  Please see my post from yesterday for details about creating that list.  Here is the link: http://www.michiganfamilytrails.com/2015/03/michigan-death-certificate-images.html

Here are the steps I followed:

• Once I see a name on the list that is a “possible” I go to that person in my Legacy 8 database.
• I check whatever death record information I have for that person.  In some cases, I had already noted that the death record was on FamilySearch under the Michigan Death Certificates 1921-1952, but with no image.  When I find an index only, I copy and past the information under “notes” for that event on the Individual’s Information in Legacy.

You can click on that little plus sign next to each event and it brings up your options for Adding Addresses, Notes, Pictures and whether the event is shared.  I use this feature in Legacy every day. 

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)

• Next I went to the Seeking Michigan site, which was already opened on my browser and I began entering the search criteria for that person.  When I did this I made sure that I was ONLY searching the death certificates for 1921-1952 (we know they only go to 1939 right now).  But, there are many databases on the Seeking Michigan site and I only wanted to search this single one.  A fellow blogger, Amy Johnson Crow, wrote a post with some tips for using this new collection.  Here is a link to her post: FINDING NEW DEATH CERTIFICATES ON SEEKING MICHIGAN
• Once I located the correct death certificate I wrote down the RIN number and name on a piece of paper (yes, a piece of paper), on my desk.  I just wanted a real quick way to keep track of what I was finding.
• Next, I downloaded the image (I always use the “large” option when saving).  My computer automatically opens any image in an editing program that I find very easy for everyday cropping, straightening and resizing etc.  I use Microsoft Office 2010 Picture Manager. I wrote a post about this and will site it at the end of this article. 
• I straightened, cropped and enhanced the image and saved it in the proper surname folder with my standard, consistent naming method.  I will not allow any of those black borders or crooked pictures to be added to my database.
• The process of editing and properly saving your images immediately, guarantees they will be in the correct place on your computer.  And, it only takes a few seconds to do. After all, we get interruptions in our daily life and may not get back to them right away.
• Now I’m ready to begin the process of adding all this wonderful information to my Legacy database.

THIS PROCEDURE WILL INVOLVE THE FOLLOWING STEPS

• Start with the first name on that list I made.
• Adding the death certificate image in the “pictures” area next to death event (see my RED arrow in the screen shot above).
• Adding the source citation in SourceWriter.  I already have a Master Source for Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952.

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• Copying the citation to the clipboard so that I can add the source to whatever fields are necessary.
• Adding information to the Events/Facts area of the Individual’s Information.  I have created my own events when I didn’t find the ones I wanted on the list. Here are my additions:
• Informant on Death Certificate
• Funeral Home or Mortuary
• Residence at time of death
• Autopsy at time of death
• Occupation at time of death
• Physician listed on death certificate
• I will also go to the Parents list for that person and add the source (using the clipboard).
• I’ll add the cause of death in the medical notes.
• And enter the date of burial and location (if listed)

At that point I will consider myself done with this important piece of evidence in the life of my ancestor.  Since there is no paper copy, there will be no need to create one.  I do not create paper when I don’t have to.  When I send for and receive vital records I do save those in a binder after they’ve been scanned, but that’s about the only paper I have. 

Have I missed anything in my procedure?  Is this how you process your records or do you have a different method?

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Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

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