Genealogy Chat

Thanks for all the tips. I'm sure I can get myself organized now. Larraine

Before I got Family Historian, I had: census file, arranged by county then place (alphatical) and then in date order PR file - county and then by place, alphabetical (in both, I included places I had searched and found nothing) These helped me if I just wanted to work on PR or census, as I also included people of the same surname, where I thought there might be a connection. The usual family files as mentioned above (some duplication of data) A family group file, arranged by ancestral number e.g page 1 - me (1) father(2) mother (3) page 2 paternal grandfather (4) grandmother (5) & offspring page 3 maternal grandfather (6) grandfather (7) & offspring That way, I could flick through and see what gaps I needed to research Yes, there is duplication, but I can concentrate on one aspect at a time and see where I'm going. Because each file records a different thing, I am not forever hunting through one file, and if a piece of paper gets lost, I still have the info in another file. Jay

On my computer- Folder for Family reasearch. Open that folder and makes folders for each name you are researching. In each name folder make other folders for Certificates, gedcom,s census, info, photos - as many as you need. My hard drive is split into 3 so I use the normal C drive for programs only. D drive is only genealogy, E drive is for everything else. This way if your computer dies only your C drive goes and the info is still there on the other two. Paper - 3 ring binders one for each main family name. One page for each person with their names, birth, christening, marriage, spouse, children and parents and all other info. Copy of the census, certs etc.filed before each name. All names alphabetically filed. Page dividers in the back for all the 'married in' s. Then I keep a card file for each with the same info on but file those in families with each generation held together by pop clips. Cards are easier to check with when on the net. This may seem complicated at first but if you start off like that it makes things so easy to find later. Been doing this for so many years and it's never failed yet.

Thanks Mary, all tips welcome, Larraine

I've got my 'family' nicely tucked into their respective paternal and maternal folders (well, sort of) and a rather large 'don't know' folder. I'm going to divide that one up into family names as its getting to big to handle. I never throw anything away I come across and its just as well -I have on occassion found that it's the spelling that's wrong, not the person. I've also got an index card system which I keep updated (must do that tomorrow........lol) with 'definites' only. Much easier to do a quick check if a name crops up.............mind you all these systems are good in theory...........but my brain isn;;t quite as tidy as it should be. Good luck with whatever you do.

Thanks Kathlyn, I guess misspelt names causes problems for everyone, regards Larraine

Thanks Krissie, you sound as organized as I try to be. I do keep everything in order in a file but don't have a to do list which would probably help as it will refresh my memory of what I last achieved or didn't. Do you use any particular software? Thanks again, Larraine

Hi Larraine, Just like you I had a problem sorting out all the bits of info I had. The spelling of names is something that can and does cause headaches. I could not find my grand parents on the 1901 census, I knew where they lived etc. but no luck. I put a help out on this site and some very kind member found them for me, and the reason i could not find them is beacause the person whe had prepared the info for us to view had called them Mandesley and not Maudesley. Also you must go through all the spelling variations of a name as usually the enumerator would ask them their name and they would say...Maudesley...and there are soooooo many ways of spelling that name......Maudsley....Mawdsley.....Mordsley....Mordesley...Maudesley....Maudesley. it is a real mine field. Just keep soldering on and then the big day comes when you find the correct entry...BINGO, and boiy but don`t it feel great. Happy hunting Kathlyn

Hi Larraine, I keep a section of each branch of my family file [which is on paper] called 'possibles'. For example a print out of a census. [As you mentioned, variations on the spelling of a surname must be considered too]. I then try to get some more info,eg. another census; a BMD entry, etc. The info then gets upgraded to a 'very likely'. When I'm convinced I'm on the right track I send off for a certificate. If the info is correct it becomes a 'definite' and I put it on my tree. I keep track of my research by having a 'Things to do' page at the front of the file where I jot down where I want to explore next. Every so often I scan through the whole file to see if I've missed anything. This is really useful because an earlier bit of info often falls into place when you are furthur down the line so to speak. I hope you can understand what I am rabbiting on about, and that it's of some use to you. Good hunting!!

My greatest difficulty is organizing my information so I can easily get back into my research after leaving it for a few weeks. I also find it difficult to prove that I am on the right track when I find an ancestor on a census for example. How do I know for sure it is him/her? I was told one of my ancestors went to America in the early 1900's. I found someone who was probably him on the Ellis Island site but his name was slightly mispelt. Do I assume this is him when I find it difficult to find any other info to back it up? I would be grateful for any tips.