Genealogy Chat

I like, and am starting to use the Ahnentafel Genealogical Numbering System quite effectively now that my research is beginning to expand past my own limited memory banks however I’ve come to a bit of a problem with aunts and uncles. Take a section of my family to see my problem - An Ahnentafel (Pedigree) pattern is: No. 1. Myself 2. John C. (my father) 3. Avril (my mother) 4. Harold (my father’s father) 5. Edna (my father’s mother) 6. Stanley (my mother’s father) 7. Violet (my mother’s mother) 8. John (my grandfather’s father) Now, No. 8 - John - has 7 sons whom I have labelled/numbered 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7 respectively and chronologically, oldest first. Fine so far but… …8.7 is Harold – my number 4 on the Ahentafel. Do I number him 4 or 8.7 ? Likewise with No. 2 - John C. - He’s Harold’s first son (of 4 kids) so should I number him 8.7.1 or 4.1? At the moment I’ve given each two numbers. I seem to think I’m messing up two systems here. Can some one help me out? Charlotte H.

Always use traditional ahntafel (sorry, always struggle with spelling that word) for direct ancestors. Im not sure if there is a logical system for combining the 2. 8.1 (for example) are usually used when looking at generations of descendants from a particular person, and think it would be too confusing to try and reverse this for the purpose that you want it. The idea behind the antafel numbering system was a universal 'code' for identifying direct ancestors. I would be really interested if you do come up with a solution though, as this could prove really useful. Karen