Documentación e investigación genealógica: guía de fuentes para la gestión de la información familiar

Abstract

The variety, extent and geographical dispersion of the sources that are interesting to genealogical studies requires a detailed analysis of all the potential ones. Although there exists some previous work, there is a need for a more systematic and IR-related perspective, analyzing each source as a genealogical data container, trying to explain its scope, context, and specially analyzing the information that it can offer and providing a synthesis that can serve as a reference tool for researchers. In this paper the most important historical sources generated in the Hispanic territories are reviewed, whether of ecclesiastical, notarial, administrative, civil or military origin. An overview of the most important ones that are accessible on the Internet is also provided. It is concluded that a need exists to create digital spaces that include full-text sources, taking advantage of opportunities arising from the Internet, the development of genealogical programs and the advent of e-Government.