Tag Vocabulary Quick Reference for Genealogists

 Here’s a one‑page–style Tag Vocabulary Quick Reference for Genealogists. It’s grounded in current Zotero tag guidance plus the genealogy‑specific forum template.zotero+4

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Zotero Tag Vocabulary Quick Reference (Genealogy)

Use collections for people/projects; use tags for workflow, analysis, and cross‑project views. Aim for every important item to have at least: one status tag, one evidence‑type tag, and one line tag.zotero+4

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1. Status / Workflow Tags

Describe where each item stands in your research process.pressbooks.library.yorku+2

• status: unreviewed – Captured; not yet read or evaluated.

• status: reviewed – You have read and assessed the source.

• status: to-do – Needs some action (lookup, follow‑up search, correlation).

• status: conflict – Contains or relates to conflicting evidence.

• status: resolved – Conflict addressed; conclusion documented.

• status: negative – Documents a search that found no result.

Tip: Consider using a colored tag for one high‑priority status like status: to-do.zotero-manual.github+1

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2. Evidence Type Tags

Describe what kind of genealogical evidence the item represents.zotero+2

Core life‑event types:

• type: birth

• type: baptism

• type: marriage

• type: death

• type: burial

Context and identity:

• type: residence

• type: occupation

• type: FAN (friends/associates/neighbors)

• type: correspondence

• type: map or type: locality

Quality of information:

• type: primary – Informant had firsthand knowledge.

• type: secondary – Reported after the fact / derivative.

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3. GPS / Analysis Stage Tags

Link items to Genealogical Proof Standard stages so you can pull them into arguments quickly.one-name+1

• gps: collect – Gathered; not yet fully analyzed.

• gps: analyse – Under active analysis/correlation.

• gps: conflict – Used in a known conflict.

• gps: resolve – Used in resolving a conflict.

• gps: proof – Supports a finished proof statement or case study.

Use these heavily with annotations so you can filter “proof‑ready” highlights.zotero+1

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4. Line, Person, and Project Tags

Connect items across collections and case studies.libguides.massgeneral+2

Family lines:

• line: Finnie

• line: Ross

• line: Clark

• Optional: line: Finnie/Direct, line: Finnie/Collateral

Individuals (for recurring figures who appear in multiple projects):

• person: John Finnie (1780–1855)

• person: Margaret Ross (c.1820–1890)

Projects:

• project: Okmulgee oil boom

• project: DNA cluster A5

These tags power saved searches like “all residence evidence for the Finnie line” or “all DNA evidence for cluster A5.”zotero+3

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5. Place and Repository Tags (Optional but Powerful)

Make locality and repository views a first‑class part of your system.libnet+1

Places:

• place: Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

• place: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland

• place: Ward 3, Okmulgee

Repositories / websites:

• repo: Okmulgee County Courthouse

• repo: NARA

• repo: Ancestry

• repo: FamilySearch

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6. Annotation‑Specific Tags

Use these on annotations (highlights/notes) rather than the whole item when you want finer control.guides.library.harvard+2

Examples:

• arg: identity – Excerpts used in identity arguments.

• arg: parentage – Supports a parent‑child relationship.

• arg: migration – Supports movement between places.

• arg: DNA correlation – Part of a DNA + paper trail analysis.

• arg: negative search – Notes about a search that found nothing.

Later, you can filter annotations by these tags and assemble proof narratives from just the relevant highlights.zotero+1

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7. How to Apply Tags Efficiently

• Turn off automatic tags from web imports to keep your list clean.zotero+1

• Reuse existing tags: type a few characters and select from suggestions (Zotero will autocomplete).zotero-manual.github+1

• Batch tag: select multiple items and apply a tag once; or drag selected items onto a tag in the tag selector.libanswers.memphis+2

• Reserve colored tags (1–6 keys) for your most important statuses (e.g., status: to-do, status: conflict).pressbooks.library.yorku+1

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8. “Every Item Should Have…”

For key genealogical sources, aim for:

• 1 status tag (e.g., status: reviewed)

• 1–2 evidence‑type tags (e.g., type: residence, type: primary)

• 1 line tag (e.g., line: Finnie)

• 0–1 GPS tags (e.g., gps: proof once used in a conclusion)

• Optional: place and repository tags

This minimal set keeps your library searchable without overwhelming you.zotero+3

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Would you like a matching one‑page “Saved Searches Recipes for Genealogists” that assumes exactly these tag names and shows query logic your students can copy?