Genealogy Chat

I find working on a simaler system to the library, works for me. Number every thing and then index it. coulor codeing I find also helps. But even so I can still end up with stacks of paper every where if I have to cross check sevarl files all at once.

Dont forget to store certs and paper work in acid free wallets and boxes to preserve them. Unfortunately my filing system is similar to John's, piles of paper on the computer desk, on the floor and on the table!

Well, I'd like thank everyone. I'm going to print out these replys, and pick out what I think is best for me. Thanks everyone Glynis

I have graduated through all of the above systems!!!! I still ended up needing to pull out 3 or 4 files to find what I wanted, only to remember that it was in a box because it was too big for a file! I have finally settled on an old fashioned filing cabinet. I have hanging files, in alphabetical order. Some have just one file for a family, where I know little about them, but for my main family [Shipley] I have a whole drawer! Each person has their own file [alphabetical] and if there are 2 or 3 "John"s, they are in date of birth order [labelled with d.o.b.]. In each file I put certs in a plastic wallet, then census entries etc in another. Other bits may go in loose. I also add all correspondence e.g. e-mails about a person in their file, so I can find it easily. It is working so far!!! I also keep my file index box for quick reference of basic details. Wendy

Mine is a fairly easy system. I have 3 or is it 4 piles of paper in the corner of the room !!!!!

I use two big A4 folders - one blue - one red for fathers and mother's side of family. At front of each folder have a fan chart which I enter names in pencil initially, then ink when more positive and highlight when obtained GRO certificate. On the index sheet of the folder for each number I put the names of the couple in generation order of the fan chart. Behind each numbered divider I put the births, marriage and death certificates for each couple together with any census and information/certificates regarding their other children. Have found taking all the information from the certificates/census's etc and putting them on a Family Group Sheet enables you to easily see what information you have and what is missing. I have now put all these Family Group Sheets in a thinner A4 folder in generation order of the fan chart. This smaller folder gives a consolidated sheet of all the information found for each couple and means that you don't have to take a huge amount of papers with you when you are researching.

I have huge ring binders with all my notes, printouts, photocopies etc and am about to include certificates as well. I also have a book which I had yonks ago with spaces to fill in which is now a mess and only makes sense to me but I use it as a back up. I then have a master file with clean filled-in sheets of individuals and families. PLUS (because A4 files and books are so bulky) an A5 A-Z book with relatives in it - I have all the details I need for each direct relative, plus siblings and the front and back end pages have family trees. This I take with me to every research place - nothing worse than going to an archive to look for info on a rellie and finding there's useful info about another rellie if only you could remember whether he was born in 1839 or 1849! nell

I have got piles of paper everywhere. Does anyone know if there is an advanced facility on FT2005 to put all your general notes (not connected to any name) so that you at least can look at it in one go instead of spreading out half a norwegian forest over the dining room table and floor and still not finding the bit you want?

I use various folders (can be obtained in any stationery shop) and label each folder with the surname of the family I am researching, then pop into the folder all the results, census details etc etc, when I have accumulated quite a number of details, I then use a book with clear inserts and start typing up the details of the family being researched, put down all the info I try to do this in an iteresting way, giving as many details as I can find about any particular member. Eventually (this is happening to me) I begin to need several books which I can then divide up into smaller sections, I concentrate on perhaps one or two members of the family & collect as much info as I can, type this up and insert into the separate pages, find any interesting photos etc of the various areas (these can be foun on the net) this begins to make a more interesting story. We each arrive at our own particular way of storing information and in what we describe of the various ancestors, when I reach a dead end with someone, I leave that to one side, and concentrate on someone else, until some answers start to arrive, etc etc. I also have entered all the family history (as I go along) on my own web site, this is a free serviceand is very easy to understanc, the number is (remove brackets) www(.) tribalpages(.)com Quite a few of the people on Genes Reuinted have their family histories on that site also and I`m sure any one of them will advise you if required. Good luck

Hi there, the best thing that I ever did was to buy some small index cards and a box to put them. I have one card for each person and on there I write the dates and locations of birth, baptism, marraige, death etc and also what occupations are known. I also write down where they are on census etc. All the info I know to be correct is written in pen and the info that needs verified is written in pencil. I started by dividing the cards into surnames (you can buy the dividers along with the cards) and using different coloured cards for each of my grandparents. For example my grandmothers side of the family are all on pink cards and divided into surnames, my grandfathers side are on green. I now have four boxes! One for each grandparent and again split into colours for thier respective grandparents. If I need to find something quickly I just look in the relevant box, find the surname and retrieve the card. All the supporting documents are filed in A4 ringbinders, again one for each grandparent and are divided in the same way. I tried to use a coding system but it all got a bit too much...!! This is a very simple method that works for me...(being a simple person!!) The cards and dividers are cheap to buy and are available in all stationary shops, I bought mine at Staples. It will be interesting to find out how other people organise their chaos!!! LOL Karen

Hi, I've answered a similar question about how I keep things semi-organised on the "how far back" thread on the general board. I'm sure there are better methods but it may help, Gwynne

Has anyone got advice about keeping records I'm a relative new comer, (less than a year) but I've already split my one file into a separate one for each name. I use pages downloaded from Ancestry to keep my written records per generation. But I seem to bamboozle myself with what I need to do, where I need to look etc darting between one family and another (usually when one is giving some grief and you put it to one side) Some one mentioned crib sheets to me the other day? Also any advice when trying to fill in a few details about a persons life. What sort of things to look at especially pre census years. Trade directories are only of use if your relative maybe had a trade. What if they were no one special? Realise this is all quite a handfull, but any suggestions gratefully received Glynis