Gendatam   
The Data Model

Documentation Status

The documents referenced on this page are official Gendatam documents.  While we claim copyright over these documents, permission is given to freely download and use them provided that each copy remains intact and unaltered.

Categories of Data in the Gendatam Model

Gendatam uses four types of data:

• Subject Data
  

  This is the genealogical data itself.  It is generally obtained from external evidence sources and is entered into the database by the user.

• Image Data
  

  Image data files provide pictures of some sort.  The data is in a sense a level removed from the original, being a copy stored as a suitable computer file.  The file is provided by the user.

• Linkage Data
  

  This provides links between sets of data.  In particular, by specifying links between individuals, it enables family trees to be formed.  Linkage data cannot be directly entered by the user, but is automatically created when the user carries out various operations in the database.

• Meta Data
  

  This is "data about data" added by the user.  In general it assesses the reliability or relevance of subject data, particularly evidence data.  It can also be used to keep track of duplicates or other discrepancies, or arbitrary categories of any sort.

The Gendatam Model at Object Level

This plain text document is the most recent version of the data model description (use the browser 'back' button to return here):

datamodl.txt

The Gendatam Model at Record Level

This plain text document is the most recent version of the record descriptions (use the browser 'back' button to return here):

darecfmt.txt

Some Sample Data

This sample data is given in order to provide a general idea of what it looks like.  It is an actual file generated from Gendatam Suite.  Many of the fields will be seen to be pointers to other parts of the file.  (use the browser 'back' button to return here):

dasample.txt