How to File Family History Paperwork?

[Ewan]

I am not quite a beginner, but I really need help in organising my family research, I am referring to paperwork/files and not on the computer here.

So really going back to basics, for example I would have my parents birth certificates and marriage certificates and my 2 sets of grandparents marriage certificates how would you start to file from then onwards (or backwards I suppose)?  Then, how would you continue to file information.

Look forward to hearing of your ideas and value your experience with this.

Many thanks

Ewan

[kerryb]

Hi Ewan

Somewhere on this site there is a Lexicon set up with links lots of useful information in previous threads and includes one on the same topic.  If anyone can find it perhaps they can put the link here, I can't find it, it is useful but needs a button! 

I will keep searching for you Ewan.

Kerry

[kerryb]

Arrr here we go, it wasn't the Lexicon its in links. 

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,158638.0.html 

Still needs a button

Kerry 

[Berlin-Bob]

Topic catalogues can also be found at

RootsChat Reference Library -> Topic Catalogues

 
Bob

[Ewan]

Hello Kerry and Bob, many thanks for your replies.  I have looked at some of those threads that you listed, as I have saved them previously in my 'favourites'.

I was hoping that someone would be able to give me the total basics of it all, right from scatch when they gathered their first lot of information ie certificates.  What I do, but I feel there could be improvements made, is I have one fing binder for each parent and as an example I have in tree form a print out of all their respective siblings along with their parents.  Then, when I reach each grandparent of mine I do the same and make another tree with their siblings and parents.  Each family is then divided with dividers.

Unfortunately, I am the sort of individual who needs to be physically looking at someones ideas.  What I may do is contact my local family history group and see if they could help with this idea in mind.  Meanwhile, I will keep reading all the threads and see what I can glean from them.

Many thanks
Ewan

[kerryb]

Hi Ewan

When I started some 4 years ago that was how I started sorting my paperwork.  Basically two folders two for each parents, 1 for certificates and 1 for other paperwork.

As I have progressed the folders for other paperwork have been split down to main surnames on the tree and I have currently 7 following the main families in the tree.  Each is sub dividied into the main names again.  I guess as I keep progressing some of those folders will need to be split into more folders.  Ad hoc but it works currently.

Kerry

[Gilda10]

I have four main files in which I have grandparents, great grandparents and so on backwards divided into their pairs with their certificates and other papers that I may find.  I also type out a main sheet with all the information I need on it.  I then have a myriad of other files for children and their families.

I do need a way of cutting down on the amount of files that I have as they take up far too much room but this system works for me.

All files are labelled and I can find them easily when working on a particular family.

Gilda

[kerryb]

Gilda

I think that is the main thing, it doesn't really matter how you file your paperwork so long as the system works for you and as you say you are able to find the appropriate paperwork easily when you are working on a certain family.

Which is why I need to learn to file piles of paper collected away every so often! 

Kerry

[Ewan]

Hello Gilda and Kerry

I did have a look at one of my folders (maternal side), and thought well it isn't that badly organized really .  I still need to do the same system with my paternal side, which I am going to set about doing.  The thing is I started family researching just about 13 years ago, that is when I made my first visit to the FRC, after one year I left it for almost five years due to cirumstances and since then it has been a thing I do only when I have the time, hence I only have certificates and census images I don't have much information on the people themselves.  So, Gilda I like your idea of having an information page it is something I will try and establish.  Another reason for my main question was I would now like to research siblings of my ancestors and collect that information into a file, at present I have only looked at direct lines.

At the end of the day as you both say, as long as you can find the paperwork easily that is all that matters.

Kerry, thank you for your continued interest.  I had a look at your website and it is truly wonderful, you should be so proud of it and yourself I know I would be.

Thank you again for your replies much appreciated .
Ewan