Hi all. Hope someone can help with this family history project.

I want to start a family history on the computer. I want to do the
history in parts using many sub folders for individuals and stories. I
want to be able to do the following...
1) Scan a picture or document and then be able to record over the
picture/document an audio presentation.
2) Take a digital picture and record over the picture an audio
presentation.
3) Take a video picture and record over with an audio presentation
4) Edit the video camera and picture presentation
5) Record old film to the computer. Can farm out to external source
if hardware is too expensive.
6) Record phone conversations or at least be able to stick the phone
recordings into a folder. Edit phone recordings.
7) Label or write over a picture to identify the person or place.
8) I would like to be able to go back and edit any of the above as new
info is found.
9) I want to be able to store the above in seperate folders on my
external hard drive.
10)I want the software to be stored on the external hard drive so there
is a way to access the data in the future.

I know this is a tall order. I'm familiar with a computer, but not
video and picture editing.

What I'm having the most trouble with is finding the software I need to
do this project.

Can anyone help?

"Voyage" wrote ...
Most video and audio editing software applications
can be used to implement your application. Including
several that are available free. Seems to be more of
a workflow and organization question than an application
selection question.

Just a matter of storing an image file (likely JPEG, etc.)
and recording an audio file (WAV, etc.) that is associated
with it.

(PS: Terminology like "record over" makes it sound like
you are erasing something!. Perhaps you mean "voice-
over"?)

Not really different than your #1 except where the JPEG
image came from. It makes no difference once it is on
your computer.

Several video editing applications have the feature of being
able to record voice-over/narration while playing back the
video clip (to maintain synchronization if that is important
to you?)

You have a wide variety of video non-linear-editing (NLE)
software applications to choose from. Some are free and
come with modern Apple or Windows computers.

Unless you are going into the business with a good financial
plan, likely better to send cine film out to an expert. The
good method of telecine transfer is not simple/cheap.

Simple and inexpensive gadgets are available for recording
phone conversations. Most any audio editing application
will offer record and edit functionality including some that
are free or very low cost.

Most any video editing application will implement super-
imposing text "over" still or video images.

Again, most any video editing application would allow you
to do this, assuming that you keep all the constituent files
on hand.

You should be able to put whatever files you wish wherever
you wish. It is a matter of learning how to use your selected
editing software application.

Assuming you mean the "data" (the still and video files and
the audio files, etc.) and not the "software" (the editing
applications which can be re-installed from the discs
whenever you wish)

Note that if you are seeking long-term archival storage, you
might want to re-consider whether hard drives are suitable.
Many of us do NOT believe in hard drives as reliable long-
term archival storage, mostly because of bitter first-hand
experience with hard drives dying on the shelf.

It is not as tall order as you seem to think. There is not
really anything significantly different about video/audio
editing than about other computer applications.

If you want actual suggestions, you will need to tell us
what kind of computer/operating system vintage you
have, what other kinds of equipment (camcorder?, etc.)
you have, and what your budget is, etc.

"Richard Crowley" <rcrowley@xpr7t.net> wrote in message
news:12rc7kq5vmgoe10@corp.supernews.com...
I know there are laws pertaining to recording telephone conversations. What
kind of documentation of consent must one have, or is a simple disclaimer at
the beginning that the conversation will be recorded sufficient?

Gary

"GaryT" wrote ...
We don't even know what country "Voyage" is in?
Laws, regulations, rules, etc. vary considerably all
over the map (literally and figuratively).

Presumably, people discussing family history will
know that they are being recorded for the project.

"Richard Crowley" <rcrowley@xp7rt.net> wrote in message
news:51mun0F1kne6dU1@mid.individual.net...
True. I was asking a general question (mostly assuming the U.S.), but also
implied in the question was the idea that each person should learn the laws
that apply to them. Simply making the other person aware that the phone
conversation is being recorded may not be enough in every jurisdiction.

Gary