Mirrors and File Types: The files for this site consist of html and web-compatible graphic files (gif and jpg format). The site is mirrored on two servers, AOL and Rootsweb. Large graphics are only on Rootsweb but are accessible from the AOL mirror. All other site files are on both servers and are identical in appearance and visible content.

Scope: The earliest ancestor is 9 generations before me and my siblings. The most recent relative named is from my same generation. There are individual pages for all direct-line ancestors as far back as 7 generations; earlier direct-line ancestors just appear on pedigree charts and surname and locality pages. Siblings of direct-line ancestors also have individual pages through 4 generations in the past; their spouses and children are listed where available. Siblings of parents of grand uncles and aunts, related by marriage, also have their own pages (-3G). The spouses and parents of first and second cousins, aunts, uncles, grand uncles and grand aunts have their own pages.

Abbrieviations and Meanings of Symbols: The asterisk after a name marks direct-line ancestors. The (0G), (-1G), (-2G), etc. after names indicates the number of generations before me and my siblings. Those generation markings are important for another reason--they help distinguish different people who happen to have the same name. The words "us" and "our" refer to me and my siblings. The abbrieviation "ca." stands for "circa" which means "about" or "approximately". The "greater than" and "lesser than" signs (> and <) means "after" and "before" respectively. A tilde (~) in a chart indicates a marriage.

Main Page: The main file is the Home Page (index.html) from which you have access to all files, directly or indirectly. The Home Page has a tan background and includes the THOMA coat-of-arms. It has two drop-down menus (paternal and maternal) which list and link to all surname and all related individuals' pages. It has links to several index pages for locality pages, surname pages, ship pages, and charts. The Main (Home) Page also has a site search-box, courtesy of Pico Search. All html files on the site have a link back to the Home Page.

Individuals' Pages: The pages with the most information are the pages of individuals. There are over 275 of these, set up in a uniform format. The male pages have a blue background, links and lines; the female pages have pink background, links and lines. Where available, pictures relating to the individual are included, linked from thumbnails. Near the top of each page is a 3-row, 2-column table with the vitals. Below that table is a bullet list of the main events of the individual in chronological order and also name, locality, and chart links. Below the bullet list are the details of events related to that individual or this immediate family, arranged in chronological order. At the bottom are the main navigation links and the dates of creation and revision. Links are without underlining but gain the underlines and a color change with mouse-over action. Dates related to the individual are in bold text. The Census and the city directories are the main sources; birth certificates and records, death certificates and records, and marriage certificates and records are other sources. Family books (Familiengeschichte) from the German church records in parts of southern Baden are important sources for the early Thoma ancestors (our paternal grandfather's side).

Siblings receive their own page up through the third generation in the past (-3G). Siblings of direct-line ancestors at the fourth generation (-4G) may have their own page but siblings of the fifth and earlier generations do not have their own page, but are listed (without links) on the pages of their parents and on the page of their sibling who is our direct-line ancestor.

The pages for direct-line ancestors receive more coloring of various elements--females in pink, males in blue.

Locality Pages: There are also locality pages, cemetery and church pages; they have a pale yellow background. These list each related person who lived in the city or locality or who was buried in the cemetery or had a ceremony performed in the church. There is also an index page with links to all the locality pages.

The Surname Pages (one for each surname) have a grey background. They list each related individual with that surname. There is even a surname page for those with unknown surnames and an index page with links to all surname pages.

Ships: There are pages for each of seven ships which carried relatives to the U. S. These pages have pictures and descriptions of the ships. They also have links to the relatives who traveled on them. There are links to the individual ship pages on various relavant individuals' pages. There is also a ship index page with links to all seven ships, which index page is accessible from the Home Page and all individual ship pages.

Other HTML Files: The Family-Groups Table lists the individual pages in each family group in a table format. Seven columns give links to the family members of each of seven groups. This Site Description file is another special HTML file. There is also a Directories file that lists those sites and web directories that have links to these gemealogy mirrors. Also we find a page presenting arguments in support of Joseph and Maria Scharfenberger (née Jenne) being the birth-parents of Josephine (our grandmother).

Direct-Line-Pedigree and Family-Group Charts: In addition to this Home Page, a page of considerable importance is the Main Chart showing direct-line ancestors for five previous generations. Sub charts show earlier generations of direct-line ancestors or family groups. All these sub charts are listed on a chart index page which is accessible from the Home Page and each of the chart pages. Some are assessible from the Main Chart and from pages of individuals or surnames, as well as from the Family Groups Table. They all have image maps (clickable areas).

Relationship Mini-Charts: There are also small charts showing our relationship to the individual; these are accessible only from the page of the individual. These charts have a white background and appear in separate windows. They only show enough names to present the relationship. They do not have image maps.

Maps: Many maps can be seen on these pages. All are accessible from the locality pages; some from the Home Page.

Scenes: Pictures of buildings, landscapes, and gravesites can be seen on locality and individuals' pages.

Design Graphics: Small design graphics, such as backgrounds and divider lines, are used on a majority of pages. Some pages have colored bullet-dots for the lists.

Crests: Surname crests or shields are seen on the Home Page and on certain surname pages. On certain locality pages you can see civil arms.

People: There are many photos of individuals on their pages. These include group pictures, in which case the people are identified where possible. The date and location of the pictures is not always known; sometimes only a guess is offered.

Ships: Pictures of ships that carried relatives to the U. S. are seen on the seven ship pages, which are accessible from the Home Page, the ship index page, and from relevant individuals', surname, and locality pages.