Naming files in Geneology Programs

[Olivia E.]

I was wondering how other people organised their geneology program files ...  in one big file or do you generally have a separate file for each side of your family. I have done both, but it is getting complicated as I sometimes don't enter all the info. about a particular person in both. Arrrrgh! I suppose I should try to find out if I can merge the smaller file into the big "Mother" file. The big file takes so much time to update now though. Help!  What do you folk do. I'm not new to geneology, but I just didn't start off as organised as I should have.

[Coriolana]

Hi,

I just have mine in one file.  It's probably not as big as your file though.  I have about 2900 people so far.  But I understand what you mean about not being organised when you started.  I was the same.  Now I feel I have to backtrack and tidy up!

Best of luck

Carol in OZ

[Fitty]

I have all mine in one file too.  It's not all the data on the computer i have a problem with.....it's all the stuff on my desk.  Post-it notes now decorate the wall and all around the monitor.  I have 2 expanding files one i keep all the Certificates in and other is "ongoing" research.  

It still does'nt stop my desk looking like a jumble sale tho.  

[JDG]

Hi Olivia,
Because so many of my genealogical lines overlap I keep everything in one computer program called Main File and I have paper version to mirror that.

Then I have files for each surname, and a very large pile of papers and post it notes that need to be processed. The files for each surname contain other data that might not connect to my specific line, if and when it does it is moved to the main file.

For name and place specific data, such as my one name study and one place study the material is in Excel and on paper.

My filing may be very behind, but I have always kept a research log and this is upto date, showing where I have researched and where I need to research next.

[Coriolana]

Aside from my computer file.  I have 4 folders (quite full now) - one for each of my grandparents and labelled with their surname.  

I have each folder colour coded with a red, yellow, green or blue sticker.  Everything in the folder has a colour sticker on it.  So if anything is removed I can tell what folder it came from.

Everything on paper is put in this folder under the parents surnames for each family group ie SMITH/JONES, JONES/BROWN etc.

I still have a box of information I have to sort, but it's a start.  It was just getting too difficult to manage.  You just have to find what works for you.

regards

Carol

[Welsh Jen]

I keep all mine updated in one database, and every now and then when I get a surge of information to add into it, I then burn/copy the database onto a cd rom and date it,  therefore if something happens to my PC I dont loose everything. I don't find that I have problems with CD's and their deterioation due to me updating them so regularly. I also have one of my older files which I try to update regularly on my children's PC ~ as a precaution!.

Apart from the electronic side of things I also have a filing system for different Surname interests and some for areas, and one file put in alphabetical order for genealogy contacts which I have found online and ones which I have corresponded with.

This seems to keep me uptodate and in order.

Jen

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Olivia E

Mine is kept in one large file on the computer in a genealogical programme 'Generations' (It used to be called 'Reunion') and I work on that particular file as and when.
I sometimes export a particular branch of the family to work on - and then merge it back with the main file.
A paper copy is a must - with all personal files being filed in 8 large folders. (my desk top is then free of notes, etc.)
A back up copy of everything is kept on a spare portable hard drive - the best media for storing information as we are reliably informed that cd's tend to deterioate over time - and maybe some of that important data will be lost.

Hope that helps

Chris in 1066Land (Hastings)  

[Fitty]

Can someone come round to my house and organise me properly?  

[genjunction]

I keep all my bunch in the same database, along with all the other people that could be mine but not yet confirmed.

It seems to make sense that way for searching and deciding which one of  the 150 John Riach's  is the one that fathered **** Riach - see my problem.  If I had more than one file name this would be made even harder, as it is I just add them into the tree or match/merge them - easy peasey

What I do have though, is a seperate file for people that have sent me their trees.  I add to my file the bits that I need and keep the original safe.

I use PAF, being a Yorkshire lass with 50% Scot - not a chance of paying is there ??  But saying that, I do use FTM to do a Genealogy Report that can be sent by email, PAF won't let you do that (its only downfall, that I have found yet!!)

Since I started using a computer for my family tree (about 18 years ago) my paper trail has got small in one respect - I now no longer use a card db, but the amount of paper that I generate by hard copying emails, downloading wills etc is just ridiculous.  Then there are the photocopies of things to be transcribed and either put on my website or made into pdf files, put on cd's and made available for sale.

So don't let anyone say that a pc reduces the paper trail, it dosn't, as you print things off when you find them - the website may not be there next week or it may be made pay per view !!

It looks like we are all for one (db) and one for family history - didn't someone say something similar to that in a book or was it a film ?

Happy hunting     

Carol
www.wakefieldfhs.org.uk
Wakefield Family History Sharing