How do you organise your family history research?

[Willow 4873]

Hiya all

I use Family Tree Maker 2005 for my lot and find it quite simple to use (have been warned against later versions). There is an external hardrive attached to my compter which is set to back up everything daily so if the computer goes belly up I just plug it into the new one and there it is.

Dont forget any computer program can be converted to a GEDCOM file which you can then export to somewhere like Ancestry or GenesReunited and then if ever your computer packs up (or your house burns down) you can import it back off that site. If you don't update it regularly it will be out of date but its better than starting from scratch. Also if you use Ancestry you can attach census to the relevant person on their site

Certificates all get scanned in and attached to the relevant person and the originals are all kept in plastic pockets (so much easier to reorganise) in a large ring binder - cant say I really have them in any order but at least they are all in one place (am in the process of making them a bit more logical)

When I visit the archives notes are all written in a large notebook and if I write down anything at any other times on scraps of paper I keep them all in the one tray and then transfer them to the note book

Must admit I have a drawer which has a load of odd papers and bits and pieces in it that need sorting but I have just brought a couple of multi pocket folders to put this stuff in

Willow x

[EDWARDO]

I use brothers keeper you can download a copy to try it.I get on with it because it prints out good charts.i print out my chart(4 generations) and mark each person I have birth wed and death cersts for onto it in pink green and black so that I can see right away who I have certs for.the certificates themselves are kept in 4 ring binders.one birth one wed one death.BUT the problem I have is how do I sort the paperwork out (wich is in other 4 ring binders)there is a mass of it.I am hopless at geting it in some sort of order.the very idea gives me the shakes.and so i put it off.truble is the files are geting that fat soon I will not be able to close them.

[joyce341]

I maybe just very mundane but I put my tree on tribalpages,completely free to use,can leave open or private,I leave mine open so that others searching can see it,if i find a family member,i get them to put pictures on ,i never put liveing people on,if i can help it but those that are ,are kept private,also,i also have it on GenesReunited but not as much and also keep details in ring binders.
joyce

http://www.tribalpages.com/tribes/j111048

[Willow 4873]

Lol yes forgot to say I have a tribalpages site too - really good free site

http://hiltonfamilytree.tribalpages.com/

Willow x

[joyce341]

Hi Willow,
             we could be related,LOL had a look at your tree,Hickmans in Stourbridge,My line is William born 1848 but in 1881 census,his Three brothers were in the Area,James ,Charles and Josephs line.my great gran is there also,Agnes Hickman and my Great Uncle Henry Hickman,
James=Jane Webb
Charles=Sarah Corbett
Joseph =Emma Sant

Henry=Elizabeth Jervis.

take care
Joyce,nee Hickman,LOL

[Josephine]

i print out my chart(4 generations) and mark each person I have birth wed and death cersts for onto it in pink green and black so that I can see right away who I have certs for.

That's a great idea!

Regards,
Josephine

[Springbok]

Like many respondents here, I have masses of paper. BMD certs, downloads from GR contacts, in various forms etc.

The majority have been scanned OR entered into my Familyhistorian [programme , The latter enables me to highlight any individual as root and see their relationship to any other of the 4,000 odd relations.and i save absolutely everything onto an external Hard disc.

That still leaves the problem of where/how yo store or collate the hard copy, and make it easy to find??BMD certs in a couple of dedicated folders

My problem is the I have got saved notes...which should be sorted, but the thought is daunting

The thought of having to sort through nearly 20 years of research IS more than offputtting!!

Spring

[erin21]

The thought of having to sort through nearly 20 years of research IS more than offputtting!!

Spring

Exactly my sentiments Spring. Good Luck !!!
Erin

[Willow 4873]

Hiya Joyce

The Hickmans in my tree are connected to my other halfs line if you do find George anywhere in yours let me know 

Willow x