Genealogy Chat

I just started me tree roughly a month ago. In that time I have MASSIVE amount of notes, books, notepads etc and now it is getting very difficult to keep a track of everything and keep it in some kind of order. I do have FTM2006 for my records on PC, but I also want to keep it on paper just incase! So, what is your paper filing system, and how is it working for you? Thanks

4 HUGE 4-hole ring binders for each set of gt grandparents. Subdivided into family surnames. Pedigree charts, family charts, individual sheets, plus certificates in A4-sized acid-free poly pockets, maps, photos etc. nell

I use the same system as Nell - works well but also scan and link things like birth certs and census images to my family tree software for the sake of convenience Carole

Big plastic case type thingy, divided up with pockets for each surname. But then you get a marriage cert. and have to decided which surname, or should you make a copy and put one in each? Basically it's in a right mess (especially the miscellaneous section) and needs sorting one rainy day....but not THIS rainy day cos I can't be bothered LOL

thanks alot, looks like i need folders and plastic pockets and a dang good sort out before this gets much bigger. nells system sounds a good one! Cheers!

ake sure you get acide free pockets - WH Smith do them

Whatever system you use, the important thing is to FILE things in the right place STRAIGHTAWAY. You wouldn't believe the number of times I've looked up information I already had because I hadn't put it in the file to start with! nell

I have a box thing with divided sections in it with tabs on them. I have the following categories: 1. 'Info tables' (I draw up a table of each family when I find them on the Census and staple them together with the Census) 2. 'Tree Drawings' - so I can see how they all fit together. 3. 'Grave Reports' 4. 'Questionnaires' (I sent everyone questionnaires when I first started then I had as much info as poss right from the start. I keep them to refer back to etc) 5. 'Birth' / 'Marriage' / 'Death' certs - separate compartment for each 6. 'Useful info' - i.e dates of census, useful websites etc. 7. 'Still to do' - so if I get stopped in the middle of something, I make a note and stick it in there then I don't forget where I was up to. 8. 'Bits of info' - for those bits that don't fit with anything else yet, but may do later!! 9. 'Who is Who' - this is a list of all the people with the same names with their DOB at the side and a number for each Benjamin Smith so I know which is which and don't get mixed up. I then have boxes of index cards with a card for every person in my tree. On the cards I have their partners, DOB and Death and places and any children they have had. And I have everything on my PC too. Sorry to go on but someone may find it useful and decide to copy!! lol.

love the index card idea, i will steal that one for sure!!

I do most of the above but never quite get up to date with the filing :-) Invigilating exams recently set me off on a variation on the file cards - WH Smith do sets of 50 'revision cards' - 6' x 4' file cards linked at top left by rings. I have put birth, death, marriage etc details , plus check list of which certificates or register copies I have obtained, on fronts of these, with chronological list of addresses and occupations (gleaned from census, certificates etc) plus names of marriage witnesses and informants at death on the back. Ink where I have proved info, pencil where it is from IGI. I can now carry my pack of cards without fear of losing loose ones. Once they are completely filled in I could detach them and file them but might keep them as they are and use them for 'swotting up' on the family