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Archiver > ROOTS > 1990-05 > 0641660024-01


From: Roots-L List Operations <>
Subject: Re: numbering schemes
Date: Wed, 2 May 90 09:53:44 CDT


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----------------------------Original message----------------------------

Here's a possible solution to the problem of how to assign numbers to people
who appear before your "founding ancestor(s)": Since one uses increasing
numbers for descent, use letters for earlier generations. So the parent of
generation 0 would be A, its parent would be B, etc. If you are so fortunate
as to trace back 26 generations from *there*, you could start over with AA.
My above sentence also suggests using *negative* numbers before generation 0,
but that's almost as awkward.
Short of the N-M-I-J-K system, there don't seem to be many numbering systems
that work well for extensible, non-compiled genealogies. 'least I haven't
found one I like in my humble travels.
--
------------
We boast of being immigrants...when we no longer are subject to the immegrant's
ordeal, after we have become certifiable natives... -Meg Greenfield,
Ted Swift !well!tswift "The Immigrant Mystique"

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