Note: This is an ongoing effort - since the time of creating these images, the database has been appended to include such amenities as Personal Notations, To Do listings, GED Import/Export, more... Many of the screen shots show only a few records, and has since grown immensely - Each image will open in separate window.

   Important to mention: I continue to use various other genealogy tools to store data. However, I found in many situations, I needed more than these packages had to offer. So, I set off to create my own database. Since Access allows a great flexibility to modify/view/report data - that's where I went. Now, many of the other packages have these features - yet, none of them contain ALL of them. Below is a list of some of the amenities in the TGP database not found in the other packages (with extent of detail).

When opening the the Database, the following form appears:

   Let's start by looking at the "Main View" for a specific individual - I'll use my great-grandfather, Arthur, as an example. I click on the TGP People link. Most of the original data entry was with him. You may notice the large white text box for a data detail. This area contains an "abstract" of the individual's life - there is a separate form for specific events in a lifetime. The other gray buttons open other forms - individual specific - allowing greater detailed data entry. Information entered is the key for reporting and querying.

   I've blurred out the DOB info in the image below. What's neat about the Pedigree view created, is that it shows the holes that need to be filled in research.

   From the Main Menu, there's a tab for Vital Record Entry, as shown below (yellow box is Tool Tip Text):

   Specific birth (DOB) information (below) can be entered from a separate form - compare to separate marriage (DOM), death (DOD), burial (DOBur), etc., record entries.

   There's also a place for Census data entry - included are all of the U.S. Federal Census', along with some Canada, Ireland, and U.K.

   From the Main Menu, a tab is included for various documents entry. Although each form is not individually pictured, it does give a perspective on the database scope:

   Individual form view (opened from form above) shows a form for Newspaper documentation, as below - keep in mind each of the fields can be sorted/grouped, as well as having specific keyword lookups.

   Many in our respective clans have served in the Military - There's another form for data entry here, along with "lookup" window:

   Directories play a large role in learning about our ancestors, so I've included a form for that.

   Then, of course, I decided to include records for the Passenger Ships folks traveled on:

   Heading back to the Main Menu, we go to the Relational tab, where other form data entry can be accessed. I won't go into the details of each. You can see from here though, just how broad the database scope goes. We'll get to the "Timelines," shortly. Included, as follows:

Cartography --> Shown below
Correspondence --> Includes personal letters, emails, etc.
Contact --> Mailing addresses, label creator, etc..
Duplicate Check --> A database "checkpoint" - reduces risk of duplicate data record entry.
Glossary --> Shown below
Images --> Again, linked. A virtual photo album.
Journals --> Personal logs of the genealogical journey.
List by TGP ID --> One click lookup of folks in the database
Maiden to Married/Married to Maiden --> Prevents ambiguity of people with similar names (Lots of Alice's, Mary's, etc., in there!)
Other Related Trees --> Files saved in other software programs
Soundex --> What genealogy database is complete without it?
Timeline --> The coupe des gras
Transcription --> For those documents not listed elsewhere.

   Maps play a large role in TGP - not only in our family history, but also in understanding the times our people lived in. Thus, a place for maps, is included:

   As is the case with the images in the database, the pictures themselves are NOT stored in the database itself - rather, as data "string" links to images in folders outside the database. This greatly reduces the size of the database file, invariably allowing quicker (no pun intended) data access.

   Rather than contain word definitions for each instanciation, I've included a Glossary - a neat little tool, in itself! Like many of the forms, it is access in other places within the database, as well.

   Sources are everything to a genealogist - and for TGP, nothing is included without the source to back up the fact. So, we have a place for that, from a Source tab. There are several types of sources used - each with a specific heading.

   The example below is taken from TGP Source repository. Other include personal sources, locations sources, etc...

   Not being limited to one specific tool, the TGP Database links to other 3 party software tools. Yeah, yeah, I'll get to the TGP Timelines, in a minute...

   The database also contains a built in browser-linker. It's great for storing information found on the Internet:

   I'm sure to get questions about the Help tab - so, here goes: With my memory not very good at times, I've included notes. links, etc., for processes used within the database.

   The next tab is for country specific forms/charts. Generally, this would include research done by others - then, documented in either book or software form, linking to one or two specific individuals in TGP. Since there aren't enough hours in a day to research every detail, this information is included to provide possible leads to acquire more on our folks. Each entry, of course, is sourced.

   Genetics opens up a whole new frontier for TGP and genealogy, a s whole. Basic DNA information is documented here on the Genetics tab. It's also a work, in progress.

   No database is complete without adequate reporting. Conceptually, the entire purpose of TGP is to get to know our people in a more personal way. This form (along with Timelines) makes that possible.

   Below are a few of subsequent reports generated from the Reporting tab - note the differences in Census reporting offered:

   Soon enough, I'll be passing along vitals information to those in my clan. Imagine having a medical history for the past 250 or so years! The report generated will have come from the TGP Database, thus:

Neat, mmm...??? That's an overview - Details obtained by contacting me.

OK, so I'll move along the heart and soul of TGP database --> the Timelines. Click here to continue.

Or just go back by clicking here.