How do you organise your family history research?

[Bill749]

Hi Jan

I use an old version of Family Tree Maker and find it perfectly adequate for creating family trees, which is all I use it for.

I keep my original research in individual A4 ring-binders: 1 each for parish records, census, burial records, newpaper extracts, etc.  I also use commercially available storage binders for original certificates.  For miscellaneous items such as letters, etc., I have A4 envelope folders for each family name.  All of this, along with the boxes and albums of family photos, takes up a lot of room on the bookshelves!

I use a tailor-made database in MS Access to store all the data so that I can easily search on a selection of parameters.  As I enter the data, I transfer the original transcripts to a separate binder, but I never destroy the original transcripts!

I then write up everything I find in narrative form in MS Word, with a separate file for each surname and sections for each individual, detailing all I know about them from birth to death.

Old family photos are scanned and stored on the computer.

Of course, everything on the computer has to be backed up regularly and, periodically, printed out to ensure that it can always be accessed, even if you have a total computer failure!

Regards, Bill

[julianb]

There's been lots of threads on this subject - see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,158637.msg737959.html#msg737959

or you can read comparions of software here:

http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Personally, I am a convert to Family Historian.  http://www.family-historian.co.uk/   It imports complete gedcoms, and you can get an add-on to attach census images.  There's also a lively user forum http://www.fhug.org.uk/cgi-bin/index.cgi

JULIAN

[Tony Payne]

My paperwork is pretty disorganised right now, but I plan to keep it in different files in a filing cabinet drawer, a file fo reach family or significant breakdown.  Haven't completely decided on what yet. 

For special topics like my grandfathers sailing career I will need a separate folder for instance.

I use Legacy Family Tree, and I suppose other packages are the same in that they assign a record number to each person.  I am going to use that in my paper filing so that I can link between the computer and the paper files more easily.  That becomes far more important as the number of people increases.

Paper filing is good up to a point, but then I think a good database is essential, or some spreadsheets (if you have Excel).

One other thing I find useful, I installed a PDF creator, so that I can print to a PDF file and create a PDF (Adobe Acrobat Reader) document for any print that I do.  It's great for saving copies of any web page or web search for example.  You don't just have to have a paper copy of everything.

[coppernob]

Good morning 

This may ring a few bells with some of you but I am now at the stage where my information has grown to the point where I cannot pinpoint a "name" in my family tree without referring to the online tree I have a Genes Reunited!

I have four ring binders stuffed full of paperwork.  Two divided into mother or father's side and then the other two ring binders are for the "main" name on each respective side.

As Christmas is a-coming I am thinking that perhaps it would be a good time to ask for a software programme as a pressie.  But... WHICH ONE IS THE BEST?   I'd be interested to know which programmes other Rootschat members use and would recommend to me.  I'm not quite the numpty  with the computer as I used to be but I would like a programme that is easy to navigate.

Your opinions and recommendations please.  Thank you.

Jan   

   


Why Rootsmagic of course, a really easy progamme to use   

Coppernob

[Josephine]

Sharon & Sylviaann:

Thank you for the tips re. layouts in Word.  I have asked my doctor to refer me to a specialist for genetic testing and she told me to first do a family tree showing everyone who has had cancer.  I've been puzzling over how to do that in an easy-to-read and easy-to-fax format and I believe you've solved my dilemma.

Thanks so much & Happy New Year!

Regards,
Josephine

[Josephine]

I use Reunion 8 for the Mac.  It's pretty good although it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles I've read that some other programs have. 

I had tried to keep track of my family history data in Word documents but it became too hard to use after the tree grew to a certain size.  (And mine isn't that big, compared to so many others!) 

Now I find the genealogy program indispensible because it is much easier to go to the index, click on a name, and check the entry for that person to see what information I have and what I still need to find.  I use the "Notes" section to remind myself of where I've already looked for data (for example, "baptism not found at...").

I like to print out the documents I have for each family and person.  I put those in binders along with "Family Group Reports" and "Person Sheets".

It took a long time to figure out how to organize the information in the binders but I've settled on a way that works well for me.

I keep original, official documents in plastic file folder cases.  I separate them by surname but it's a bit lumpy and messy that way.  If I had a big enough filing cabinet, I would file them by the person's full name.

Regards,
Josephine

[gbuttery]

Hi All,
I thought I was totally disorganised, but I seem to be efficiant compared to some of you !!! Maybe I just haven't as much stuff.

I started off with Family Tree Maker a few years ago, but when I found the LDS Paf 5 system, I have never looked back. I keep all my infomation on the computer, backed up regularly on disc and even a disc at my mums in case the house burns down!!!
But I have a paper copy of all thats on the Paf File. Thats divided between 4 ring binders, one each for my mum and dad's family and one each for my husband's mum and dad. Some thicker than others. I don't print out a new page everytime I add more info to the computer, but writeit on my page and print out a new one when it looks messy. Certificates, photos and census images are all in the files. Makes it more interesting for any of the family who wants to look at the books.
But, like another lister, I also print out any infomation I get via emails, etc. When the info is added to my computer and files, it is then kept in another larger file, alphabetically, by surname. I do often have a pile of papers waiting to be filed, but there not taking over yet!

Gill

[aghadowey]

I started research almost 35 years ago, inheriting a large collection of information from my father's mother and other relatives. When I got a computer I started using Framily Tree Maker but soon found it did not print out family trees that I could organise the way I wanted.
Now, I use Word to type information so it can easily be sent to others and even with a few changes be used as a questionnaire. Files are backed up regularly. Printed version kept in clear pockets in ring binders. If I get new information, or want to remember to check something, I put a note inside the clear pocket. Then, when I open the file, I type the new information and print it out when needed.
In large filing cabinets I keep letters and documents filed by surname.
When out doing research- libraries, graveyards, etc.- I use notebooks to record data which is then transferred. My husband keeps his own research notebooks and also has filing drawers for 5 x 8 index cards, indexed by surname then townland (his research only covers Ireland, while mine is spread in various countries).
However, I have to confess that I still have lots of paperwork to file. Husband is giving me a new computer for birthday/Christmas present so I will have to get the office cleaned up before then!

[jukebox]

I started off with Family Tree Maker a few years ago, but when I found the LDS Paf 5 system, I have never looked back.

Could someone tell me what LDS Paf 5 system is please, I have been reading the messages re organizing research.  I don't have mine on computer since mine crashed a couple of years ago, prior to that I used a free disk I got with a family history magazine - but didn't like the printed format, although it looked good on screen.  I keep all my research in folders under surnames, and as I come up with new information I share it with my daughter -  she keeps asking me to do a tree that she can keep for my grandchildren.  I too would like advice on computerising my records. 

Jukebox