Data Structures and Methods for Genealogical Research
OwnerJoseph Stoneinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved methods of genealogical research utilize databases with fields that more uniquely identify individuals and relationships for the purpose of tracing and identifying ancestors or living relations. In selected embodiments, the fields represent genetic markers on the mitochondrial DNA and biographic or historical data useful in tracing matriarchal heritage. In other embodiments, the fields represent ownership records or conveyances of property between related or unrelated individuals. In other aspects of the invention methods of searching account for the evolution of geographic and political divisions in searching genealogical database, as well as the alternative spelling of names and nickname.
Claims20
A data structure for the search and retrieval of genealogical information comprising one or more individual data records having fields for:
- a) the subject's name,
- b) the subject's primary geographic designation,
- c) the subject's secondary geographic designation derived from the subject's primary geographic designation based on prior history.
A method of initiating a computer implemented genealogical database search wherein the search criteria are entered via a graphic user interface (GUI), the method comprising the steps of:
- a) generating a first input fields in a GUI to receive at least one of the first and last name,
- b) receiving at least one of the first and last name via the GUI in the first input field,
- c) generating a second input fields in a GUI to receive at least the year or years of a live cycle event,
- d) receiving the date of the life cycle event in the second input field via the GUI,
- e) generating a third input fields in a GUI to receive a primary geographic designation associated with a date in the second input field,
- f) receiving a primary geographic designation in the third input data field,
- g) determining a second geographic designation from the second and third data field,
- h) displaying the secondary geographic designation in the GUI.
A method of initiating a computer implemented genealogical database search wherein the search criteria are entered via a graphic user interface (GUI), the method comprising the steps of:
- a) generating input fields in a GUI to receive at least one of a primary first name and a last name,
- b) receiving the primary first or last name via the GUI,
- c) comparing the spelling of the primary first or last name against a database of primary and secondary first or last names,
- d) generating input fields in the GUI for selecting from one or more alternatives first or last names as a secondary name.
A data structure for the search and retrieval of genealogical information comprising one or more individual data records having fields for:
- a) a primary first name field for the subject,
- b) a primary last name field for the subject,
- c) a secondary name field for the subject for containing a data record that is a variant of the data record in the primary first or last name field for the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.