A source can have more than one (and sometimes way more than one) citation associated with it. For example, you may have a Bible that gives you birth dates and wedding dates of several ancestors. You would enter the Bible itself only once, and then cite the page numbers where the detailed information is found in the individual records.
In RootsMagic, the Bible would be considered a master source, and the page numbers the source details, for purposes of data storage in the database. For another type of source, say a census, the split between the fields which are considered master source fields and those considered source details becomes blurred by each person's interpretation of the source. While the same fields would be used in the Source template, some people may want more fields in the master source, while others may want fewer master source fields. The source templates in RootsMagic were designed in the middle ground between the two possible extremes that could be created.
No matter the split, the data from the fields in the Master source and Source details are combined to create the Source citation that appears on the reports or websites. Because the master source and source details are both integral parts of the Source citation, RootsMagic displays both sets of fields on the same screen for data entry, as well as displaying the final form of the Source citation for the (full or first) Footnote, Short (or subsequent) Footnote, and Bibliography (source list) as the data is entered into the respective fields. If you are re-using a master source, the master source fields would be filled in, and you should only be adding data into the Source details fields.
Master Source Note: Changes to the Master Source entry will affect all source citations using that Master Source. Only apply changes that are global to that Master Source. If they are not globally applicable, you should create a new master source, by either using the "Copy selected source" command on the Sources page, under the 3 dot menu, or clicking the Add (+) icon to create a new one.
Citation Note: Citations are reusable. Changes made to a citation will affect all events using it. Only apply changes that are global to source citation. If they are not globally applicable, you should create a new citation, by either using the "Copy selected citation" command on the Sources page, under Citations and clicking on the 3 dot menu, or clicking the Add (+) icon to create a new one.
As you carry out your research, you will discover answers to your research questions from a variety of sources. You should evaluate each source to determine if it was an original source or a derivative from another source. The source provides information, which should be evaluated to determine if the information was provided by someone with first hand knowledge (was involved or witnessed) of the event, or by someone who wasn't involved or didn't witnessed the event and therefore received the information on a second-hand basis. The information may then provide either direct evidence or indirect evidence to answer the research question, or a source may yield an absence of information, providing negative evidence . The results of this evaluation can be recorded in the Quality of Information form.
Following this example, the place where the bible is located (whether on Aunt Betty's bookshelf, in the local museum, or at a national library or archives) would be considered the repository, which could be entered into the Repository screen.
