Detail Table Form
The Detail Table form is used to view, enter, and modify information in the Detail Inventory Table. All of the data elements listed for the Detail Table are available from this form. Buttons on the bottom of the form allow scrolling through the database.
The form can be used to find records based on the contents of any field by placing the cursor in the field to be searched and hitting Ctrl+F. This opens a window, which allows the entry of the string of characters to be found. The option of searching for an exact match, any part of the field, or the start of the field (first letter) allows the user to search for a string of characters without knowing the exact form of the entry in the database.
Clicking the Go To Main Record for Items Shown button will bring up the Main Table Form, displaying the only record for the inventory shown.
The Show All Records is used to remove any filter which limits the records being displayed and allows all records in the Detail Table of the database to be shown.
The View Transcript button will display the transcription of the inventory.
The FILENAME is the link to the Main Table record from the Detail Table entry; therefore, the FILENAME in the Detail Table must match the FILENAME in the Main Table.
FILENAME is an eight-character field used to invisibly link the Main Inventory Table with the Detail Inventory Table and the transcription files. All records in the Main table must have a unique FILENAME. This is a shorthand designation for an individual inventory developed by using a blend of the decedent's name and the year in which the inventory was taken, ordered, or recorded, in that order. The taken date is the date of choice; however, when that is not available, the earliest date on the inventory is the one used. Names consisting of more than six characters have been abbreviated. Examples of filenames are MASON63 (Ann Mason, 1763) or HRRSN91, (Benjamin Harrison, 1791).
The highest order in which an item has been classified in the three-part nomenclature: Category, Sub-Category and Type.
Examples of CATEGORY are
Personal
Food Prep
Furniture
(SUB-CATEGORY) The second level in the hierarchical categorization of an item in the nomenclature.
Examples of SUB-CATEGORY are
Personal: Writing;Food Prep:
Cooking;
Furniture:
Storage.
The third level in the hierarchical nomenclature listing the item inventoried. TYPE is followed by the assumption designator (=), as necessary, when the item is not explicitly named and an assumption is made, based on description, other surrounding items, or because of a spelling change.
Examples of TYPE are:
Personal: Writing: Inkstand
Food Prep: Cooking: Gridiron
Furniture: Storage: Trunk
The number of items listed for each entry by the appraiser.
The unit of measure listed for each item, i.e., PR (pair), DOZ (dozen), etc., is the QUALIFIER. The entry is followed by the assumption designator (=), when the unit of measure is not explicitly named and an assumption is made, based on the type of item or the description.
A numerical field based on the QUANTITY and QUALIFIER, which can be totaled. i.e., 2 DOZ is entered as 24 in the AMOUNT field.
(DESCRIPTION). A short field where descriptors are placed, i.e., short, square, large, old, round, etc.
The page or number folio where the item is found in the original probate inventory.
The room, space, or location where items are listed in a probate inventory by the appraiser. LOCATION is followed by the assumption designator (=), when the room or space is not explicitly named and an assumption is made, based on description, surrounding items or other factors. The assumption designator "=" is used primarily when a room which contains sleeping equipage has not been termed a "chamber" by the appraiser. All rooms with sleeping equipage and not named a chamber have been given the equal sign "=" assumption designator.
Example: The Red Room contains bedding, bedstead, etc.
The database location is given as: CHAMB= RED.
The use of the assumption designator facilitates the easy retrieval of all rooms containing bedding by standardizing the entry to CHAMB= or CHAMBER= as space permits. The transcription must be consulted to find the exact room identification by the appraiser. When searching for chambers, use "chamb*" as the filter. The use of the wild card "*" will insure that all chambers, including those based on an assumption are located.
The appraiser's description of what item is made of: wood, china, etc. MATERIAL is followed by the assumption designator (=), when the material is not explicitly named and an assumption is made, based on the type of item, description, surrounding items, or when spelling is modernized.
For the complete list of materials used in the database, see MATERIALS under List of Entries Used on the CD.
A field which lists the color of an item as defined by the appraiser. COLOR is followed by the assumption designator (=), when the color is not explicitly named and an assumption is made, based on the type of item, description, or when spelling is changed.
For the complete list of colors used in the database, see COLOR under List of Entries Used on the CD.
Value of the item as determined by the appraiser.
A longer field which contains, as space permits, more complete descriptors for "listed as" entries, or specific "Notes" for the researcher.