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General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: katelyn.27 on Monday 12 September 11 18:15 BST (UK)
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I'm coming to the online end of my first branch of family history and I'm wanting to make sure it's tidy before I move to another branch.
I currently store certificates/wills in a folder, and save all census images to my computer, as well as transcribing census' onto a word processor for easy reference.
One thing that worries me is that everything is on the computer. It's backed up onto dropbox (http://db.tt/e8O6GLv) and my entire tree is online as well, but I feel I should have tangible research! Only problem is I don't have a printer!!
So I guess I just want to check everything I'm doing is OK! I'm pretty new to this and have been reading how everyone organises their research, but most seem to have many files of documents, and seem to emphasise not keeping everything on computers!
Finally I was thinking of creating index cards to keep a list of all the names involved in my tree, probably colour coding by generation and branch of the tree. Has anyone tried index cards? And if so, how successful were they?
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Hi, Katelyn,
With the exception of bought certificates, and a data sheet for each direct ancestor, all of my research is on computer (backed up, of course) - I find it makes modifying data, and swapping between individuals so much easier than rewriting notes and shuffling paper.
Having said that, everyone will have their own preferred method of working. If you like the way you organise your own research then that's the best method!
Good luck,
'Hat.
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hi
I have only been doing this for 2 years in October .
I had no idea what to do but just went with what I thought!
I have a lot of info on my pc, I have a family tree, which I have a back up on my pc and on a usb but I also have a lot of printed certificates and census as you just never know what can happen to your pc and heaven forbid you would lose it all!
it takes up quite a bit of room and to keep it up to date but I would rather have it that way to be safe!
regards
Elinga
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Hi, Katelyn,
With the exception of bought certificates, and a data sheet for each direct ancestor, all of my research is on computer (backed up, of course) - I find it makes modifying data, and swapping between individuals so much easier than rewriting notes and shuffling paper.
You say you have a data sheet for each ancestor - how full are your data sheets? And would they fit onto index cards?
I'm thinking maybe create a double sided index card per person, that way if I only have their name and date of birth I'm not wasting paper, and if I know a lot about that person I can write an A4 page in a binder.
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You say you have a data sheet for each ancestor - how full are your data sheets? And would they fit onto index cards?
One or two A4's each, in sleeves, in two ring folders. Definitely wouldn't fit onto index cards, but Mrs. Hat prefers to have these because she doesn't "do" computers!
'Hat.
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One or two A4's each, in sleeves, in two ring folders. Definitely wouldn't fit onto index cards, but Mrs. Hat prefers to have these because she doesn't "do" computers!
'Hat.
Woa! So what kind of things do you record? I was just thinking name, parents, birth, baptism, marriage, death, burial and probate on one side and that individuals census returns on the back.
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Quite a few of our "rellies" have stories attached - Mrs. Hat's father's escape from Germany, my many x's Great Grandmother's affairs, for two.
These are what make FH interesting, and these are what I include on my data sheets.
Mrs. Hat's mother likes to read the sheets - she is still waiting for me to prove her family link to Bonny Prince Charlie....!
::) ;) ;D ;D
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Quite a few of our "rellies" have stories attached - Mrs. Hat's father's escape from Germany, my many x's Great Grandmother's affairs, for two.
These are what make FH interesting, and these are what I include on my data sheets.
Mrs. Hat's mother likes to read the sheets - she is still waiting for me to prove her family link to Bonny Prince Charlie....!
::) ;) ;D ;D
Haha! That's excellent! I'm hoping to find more stories as I go further back and delve deeper with parish records. I've just found out my family set up a business in Gateshead which was really interesting.
I think I'll create a file index of everyone in the tree and then build up A4 size documents of the important people with the stories as well.
I began last summer and jumped in with both feet but didn't pay attention to quality of research and evidence. I only thought twice when I found a link to French royalty which is very random and definitely needs verifying! Doing this will force me to verify all facts, as well as give me multiple copies of documents.
Now I want to get organising!! But I want to keep researching!! The decisions!! Genealogy is so much fun!! :D
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I have a data sheet for each person and started off using ring binders and A4 as this was easiest. I have letters written by the individuals on the data sheets covering major events like deaths and inquests.Where available I have obituaries from the local paper including full list of mourners.
I am just setting up my first complete archive folder but I still have everything scanned in to my computer and backed up as well.
Regarding employment, in some cases I have terms of employment and my dads call up papers for national service.
I have the rental agreement for my grandparents first home. The list is endless but the point is this information pads the person out from just being a list of dates. As you get further back then there is less evidence available.I would say the cards would be useful then but you should be able to find a fair bit of information out about the generations closest to you.
regards panda
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One aspect not so far mentioned - record all sources.
I've also found it important in some cases to write out, in some detail, why I have followed a specific line. As an example, I have a family where 4 succesive generations are John Bestwick - but there is a second family in the same place and at the same time which also has 4 generations of John Bestwick. Untangling that lot depended on a wide range of data. For anyone who might look at it later the logic needs to be recorded.
Beyond that, I'm with Roger The Hat - it's the stories that make it really worthwhile.
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First, I love panda's, so someone called panda replying to my post makes me ridiculously happy!
Anyways, I think I need to send my parents with family group sheets and a notepad and get them to interrogate their parents. I find it easier to research those 1900 and earlier because I don't know them, whereas I'm quite young and fortunate enough to have three of my grandparents still with me (yet I began researching the one that died..!). So while I'm starting with great grandparents, it seems odd starting with grandparents as they're still here, even though they'll have the most information!
I definitely realised the stories are most important with the owners of the company. The secretary (my great great grandfather) died in 1904 aged 31, just 15 days after his son was born. The wait for that certificate was heart wrenching, and the relief that he met his son before he died was overwhelming and gave me extra drive to continue my research.
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Hi Katelyn
Glad my name is approved my cousin calls my house the panda house I wonder why. As you are lucky enough to have so many relatives alive may I suggest that you invest in a digital voice recorder and spend some time recording their life stories while they are able to give you the information. This site is full of comments along the line of why didn't I ask so and so that while they were alive. If you google 50 questions for family history this will give you a good starting point. They should be able to tell you information about some of the relatives you are researching.
Have you asked for any family history memorabilia that could help you in your research?
regards panda
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My gran gave me some certificates last year when I first asked which I took copies of. She also has a lot of photos but needs to write names on them so we know who they are. Unfortunately my grandad has dementia so asking him would just get him very confused, though I've asked my mum to talk to his brother for answers and any documents.
I'm not sure what is available on my grandma's side as she isn't the sentimental type, but again I'll get my dad to ask questions and find stuff out!
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Hi Katelyn,
The recording challenge has challenged me for years. This is what I currently do;
1. Primary evidence material - eg birth certs, census etc. These get scanned and saved on computer, saved on google docs, and the details entered on a Family History software programme. I keep the hard copies in files in plastic folders so each census year has a plastic folder and there are plastic folders each for Birth, Baptism,Marriage, Death and Burial records.
2. All snail mail correspondence is kept in a correspondence file
and email correspondence is kept on my email provider's website.
3. Photographs are likewise scanned and stored on computer and google docs.
4. Sundry other secondary evidence pieces of info are kept in a folder for the family and person concerned.
I am still refining the process! The hardest challenge and discipline is keeping a record of past searches and their result. Too often I find myself researching some event I have previously attemped to search!
Not sure I have answered your question directly but hope this might help and given you some ideas. If finance allows I hink going electronic is best with hard copy backup.
Peter
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The more I think about it, I think I need a tidy family tree on my computer.
I think I might wait until Christmas, see what FTM 2012 looks like, and then ask the parents for it for christmas (or earlier if I really want it!)
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I use index cards (as well as the computer). I have an index card for each person in my tree (so it has built up to a few hundred). On the front I have their birth surname, first names; a line for Birth (date, place, ref) similar for bap, marriage, death and burial. I include the spouse name for the marriage which is useful on female's index cards. On the back I have parents names/ yr of birth; siblings and yr of birth; children and yr of birth. I have colour codes for census entries (green 'blob' for 1861; blue blob for 1871 etc). All are filed alphabetically. Birth certs etc and prints from census entries are files A4 size in family groups. Family stories and newspaper copies are filed in this way too.
I have an excel spreadsheet with all the above data which is backed up on a separate PC and on USB. Ancestry also has a tree. After typing all this, it sounds really complicated but seems to work for me.
Regards
maryd
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I use index cards and computer, and also have files on each person showing what information I have; birth, baptism, marriage, death, burial, census details (and sources for each) - then I can see the blanks. I put these on A4 sheets, then I can also note down any extra info, and ideas for where to look next.
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Hi katelyn.27
I would seriously suggest saving up for a printer (or asking the parents), preferably one that will scan/copy as well, so that you can scan in things like birth certificates.
If you plan carefully, you don't have to print out huge amounts of stuff, but it pays to check the cost of cartridges as well as the printer itself.
It will save you hours of time and will make it much easier to keep your paper backup up to date and tidy.
....and you could always write letters to any relatives that you find :)
Linda
Added - just looked on Amazon and there are several all in one printers under £50
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I think I might wait until Christmas, see what FTM 2012 looks like, and then ask the parents for it for christmas (or earlier if I really want it!)
There is some good, free software available. Several RootsChatters use Legacy from
http://legacyfamilytree.com/
and there is also a deluxe version which is not very expensive :)
Linda
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I use Family Historian well backed up.I also have several folders for each family containing BMDsphotographs and stories.This does take up space but I like to be able to take a folder down and look at it .I have 5 grandchildren and I am doing. Folder fir each of them with relevant stuff.Whether they will be interested or not I don't know but at least it will be there for them.One could say that my study is a bit overcrowded but everything is on hand.
Ringrose
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One more suggestion:
I learned my lesson after watching friends try to kill their printers out of sheer frustration when not working properly. I copy everything I need printed and go to the library. The computers there have printers. The cost is usually very reasonable
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I get all my census returns online (from Ancestry). For each return, I save it to my computer and then transcribe it.
The program I use (my own, though I'm considering productising it) understand the UK census so everything is linked to a person and is fully searchable. E.g. http://www.jebbo.co.uk/genealogy/I173.html - see the "sources" section at the bottom of the page.
--- Tony Jebson
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I get all my census returns online (from Ancestry). For each return, I save it to my computer and then transcribe it.
The program I use (my own, though I'm considering productising it) understand the UK census so everything is linked to a person and is fully searchable. E.g. http://www.jebbo.co.uk/genealogy/I173.html - see the "sources" section at the bottom of the page.
--- Tony Jebson
That program looks fantastic! If you need another beta tester!
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Glad you like the format . . . some screenshots of the user interface are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/112058060125069936666/Screenshots?authuser=0&feat=directlink
--- Tony Jebson