Genealogy Chat

I have all my certificates in large envelopes filed under the families surname (both of his parents and both of my parents). Every time I want to check anything I have to pull out the correct envelope and go searching. So...I thought I would buy some acid-free pocket protectors for 3-ring binders, keep them all together but still separated into family groups, and I wouldn't have to be handling them all the time. Did you know that the protectors are 1.5 cm smaller than the certificates?!! They will do fine for anything I print off the computer or any reports that I generate, but what are my options for the certificates themselves? My best thought is to buy legal size protectors and cut them down to size, because I don't want the extra bits at the top. Or, since I need the legal ones for my own original certificates (Scotland & Canada) and some Irish ones I have, just buy a bunch of them, and put up with the floppy (unused) bits at the top. How does everyone else store their certificates and notes? Thanks. Margaret

Hi, I bit the bullet and bought a lovely certificate binder from S and N Genealogy. Its about £14.99 and takes all the old long certs. You get space for 8 certs with the binder but you can buy more pockets at I think £5 for 10.

I buy the Plastic folders that you described from Tesco's, they fit fine for me?, and keep them all filed in Year order, I did keep them separate at one time but I have a rough Idea of the year I need and pick that Binder. Of the Older longer sized ones we used to get, I photocopy them smaller to fit and keep the original neatly folded in with it. I don't know if Scottish and Canadian are the same size as English or not? Carrie

Three tesco's best plastic folders lol. red for my lot Purple for husbands side, and a clear one I put all the things I have printed off. ie pages of births marriages etc from scotlandspeople. I still have bit's of this and that all over the place, but I am trying! Marion

Marion I really must be going Senile, I never even thought of doing Colour coding, Good idea!, but a bit late for me now as I just grab the first packet I see and thats that, I have White, Blue, Green, Yellow and Red edging's, I even keep my Census Image's the same way. I have 'Meet the Family' Binders too, with just about anything I can get into a plastic pocket folder. Carrie

I buy a packet of A4 acid free file pockets from Smiths fantastic value were £1.49 for 50 but reduced to half price and they do fit the certs great

Thank you ladies. The protectors available here are 8-1/2 x 11 inches(21.5x28cm) - letter size. The Scottish and English certificates I have received are 8-1/4 x 11-3/4 inched(21x30cm). Don't think they come in any other sizes over here except letter and legal. My original birth and marriage certificates are both legal size, as are any certificates I get that are copies of Canadian records. Oh well. More checking around to see what other options are available. I am also colour coded - blue for my dad and red for my mum; green for his dad and yellow for his mum. Makes it a lot easier when searching for specific families. Then I have a black folder for 'stuff I am working on right now'. Doesn't matter which family it is - just what info I am currently researching. I also have a 'working copy' multi-generational ancestor chart with both families combined on which I highlight if I have the certificates - using different colours for each type of certificate I have - e.g. original, certified copy, photo copy, copy of entry from parish register etc. That way, just by looking at one chart, I can tell what I have, and what I am missing. (And lots of pretty colours too!!) Margaret