How do you organise your family history research?

[~Rachel~]

When I started looking in to my family tree I never realised what a huge project it would turn in to.

As a result I have a ring binder bursting with printouts and certificates, in a rough chronological order and sorted by different surnames. Then on my computer I have bits and pieces saved all over the place. 

I keep coming up with ways to organise it that get very complicated very quickly!

So how do you all look after yours? I'm ready to pinch any tips! 

Rachel

[AnneMc]

Hi Rachel:
I think everybody has their own ideas how they keep track of all their information. For myself I have each family in a binder (that's my paper trail) then I use the family tree maker program to keep track of everything on the computer.  If use use a program on the computer be sure to make back ups. Helps when your comupter crashes!!!   

But I must say I have a table that is loaded with bits of paper and my note books I keep all my full note books and I found I am always going back to them to check information out.  Even though my desk is a mess I know where everything is.

Not sure if I have been any help. Enjoy doing your research, I think this is the best hobby there is !!

Merry Christmas

Cheers
Anne
Canada

[Lemontree]

Hi

Organise?  paper trails in ever increasing folders as each part of the trail splits yet again into more branches....

I shall be watching this thread for ideas.


Lemontree

[suey]

I have the LDS free PAF 5 and find that it suits me, it allows you to keep track of all your ancestors, I have mine and my husbands all on one and then split the various families into separate files within that.  I also have all the notes for each person in the notes sections (actually thats not true  cos I'm way behind on that).

I also have paper copies, mine tend to be in family groups.
Note books are a good idea because bits of paper get lost and tend to run way out of control if you let them write in pencil, much easier to rub something out than scribble in biro.
Also if you have note books you tend not to throw away that vital piece of information, something I did a lot of early on

Suey, surrounded by chaos

[Iria]

Hi Everyone

I Also Keep mine in Diffrent Ring Binders am researching a Number For My Husbands Side of the Family and a Number for Mine..I have been reasearching now for Approx 10 years.. and have had to redo my trees a number of Times.. Family tree software i carn't seem to get a Grip of..Maybe its because i Like having scrapps of paper all over the Place 

Regards

Iria

[Essex export]

Hi Everyone.

Organized? I've only been at this researching lark for about a year but I already have over 1600 names of people I am related to or descended from. Most of the detail is entered on software (GSP) and backed up but I have only recently realized it would have been a good idea to include GRO index nos etc right from the start.
As to keeping notes on paper, it's no good for me 'cos the only system I seem able to operate is the random system. That way if it gets knocked off the table, it's still in order!!! 

Regards
Andy

[mc8]

truthfully?
badly

I've found that although I am a linear thinker, I am a holistic visual recorder.I like to drill down into detail to hunt for info and occasionally come up for air and try a scattergun apprach. I bought a family tree programme when the details became too complex for notebooks, but I haven't got on with it well as I find it rather disjointed.  The reference I use most is a huge chart ( a couple of flip chart pages) which allows me to see all the links (an admittedly small tree of 200 names) at a glance-I put references, wild cards and hunches on it too

[Essex export]

Hi mc8
I used to have a printout chart of my tree, as it grew, pinned up on the wall and put post it notes all over it with anything of interest or needing further research.
I recently printed out my maternal side for an uncle who wanted proof that he was related to the man who built Captain Cooks ship, HMS Endeavor.
When the chart was stuck together it measured approx 20 feet wide by 4 feet long!!!
Don't think I'll be doing a complete print!

Regards
 Andy

[runner]

Hi Rachel
Like most of the others I suggest you find out whether you can work with a family tree programme or prefer bits of paper.
I use Family Tree Maker because it keeps the notes on that individual together. When I need to see relationships and detail its easy to print out just the bits you want ( you will have to scrap the printout soon after because you add more to it but it can be your notebook until you have entered it into the comp prog.
We have separated the mainlines intop four lever arch files and keep Births and Deaths certificates together Census returns are grouped at the end of the family by year. Because she has everything in order my wife trawls through the certificates regularly and comes up with additional information almost every time so it pays to be organised.

However you do it  - its a buzz and every new Certificate sets off another trail

Have fun

Russell