Do you print/transcribe census returns? Thoughts on index cards?

[johnxyz]

One aspect not so far mentioned - record all sources.

I've also found it important in some cases to write out, in some detail, why I have followed a specific line. As an example, I have a family where 4 succesive generations are John Bestwick - but there is a second family in the same place and at the same time which also has 4 generations of John Bestwick. Untangling that lot depended on a wide range of data. For anyone who might look at it later the logic needs to be recorded.

Beyond that, I'm with Roger The Hat - it's the stories that make it really worthwhile.  

[katelyn.27]

First, I love panda's, so someone called panda replying to my post makes me ridiculously happy!

Anyways, I think I need to send my parents with family group sheets and a notepad and get them to interrogate their parents. I find it easier to research those 1900 and earlier because I don't know them, whereas I'm quite young and fortunate enough to have three of my grandparents still with me (yet I began researching the one that died..!). So while I'm starting with great grandparents, it seems odd starting with grandparents as they're still here, even though they'll have the most information!

I definitely realised the stories are most important with the owners of the company. The secretary (my great great grandfather) died in 1904 aged 31, just 15 days after his son was born. The wait for that certificate was heart wrenching, and the relief that he met his son before he died was overwhelming and gave me extra drive to continue my research.

[panda40]

Hi Katelyn
Glad my name is approved my cousin calls my house the panda house I wonder why. As you are lucky enough to have so many relatives alive may I suggest that you invest in a digital voice recorder and spend some time recording their life stories while they are able to give you the information. This site is full of comments along the line of why didn't I ask so and so that while they were alive. If you google 50 questions for family history this will give you a good starting point. They should be able to tell you information about some of the relatives you are researching.
Have you asked for any family history memorabilia that could help you in your research?
regards panda

[katelyn.27]

My gran gave me some certificates last year when I first asked which I took copies of. She also has a lot of photos but needs to write names on them so we know who they are. Unfortunately my grandad has dementia so asking him would just get him very confused, though I've asked my mum to talk to his brother for answers and any documents.

I'm not sure what is available on my grandma's side as she isn't the sentimental type, but again I'll get my dad to ask questions and find stuff out!

[Peter Cockerill]

Hi Katelyn,

The recording challenge has challenged me for years. This is what I currently do;

1. Primary evidence material - eg birth certs, census etc. These get scanned and saved on computer, saved on google docs, and the details entered on a Family History software programme. I keep the hard copies in files in plastic folders so each census year has a plastic folder and there are plastic folders each for Birth, Baptism,Marriage, Death and Burial records.

2. All snail mail correspondence is kept in a correspondence file
and email correspondence is kept on my email provider's website.

3. Photographs are likewise scanned and stored on computer and google docs.

4. Sundry other secondary evidence pieces of info are kept in a folder for the family and person concerned.

I am still refining the process! The hardest challenge and discipline is keeping a record of past searches and their result. Too often I find myself researching some event I have previously attemped to search!

Not sure I have answered your question directly but hope this might help and given you some ideas. If finance allows I hink going electronic is best with hard copy backup.
Peter

[katelyn.27]

The more I think about it, I think I need a tidy family tree on my computer.

I think I might wait until Christmas, see what FTM 2012 looks like, and then ask the parents for it for christmas (or earlier if I really want it!)

[maryd]

I use index cards (as well as the computer). I have an index card for each person in my tree (so it has built up to a few hundred). On the front I have their birth surname, first names; a line for Birth (date, place, ref) similar for bap, marriage, death and burial. I include the spouse name for the marriage which is useful on female's index cards. On the back I have parents names/ yr of birth; siblings and yr of birth; children and yr of birth. I have colour codes for census entries (green 'blob' for 1861; blue blob for 1871 etc). All are filed alphabetically. Birth certs etc and prints from census entries are files A4 size in family groups. Family stories and newspaper copies are filed in this way too.
I have an excel spreadsheet with all the above data which is backed up on a separate PC and on USB. Ancestry also has a tree. After typing all this, it sounds really complicated but seems to work for me.
Regards
maryd

[cati]

I use index cards and computer, and also have files on each person showing what information I have; birth, baptism, marriage, death, burial, census details (and sources for each) - then I can see the blanks. I put these on A4 sheets, then I can also note down any extra info, and ideas for where to look next.

[danuslave]

Hi katelyn.27

I would seriously suggest saving up for a printer (or asking the parents), preferably one that will scan/copy as well, so that you can scan in things like birth certificates.

If you plan carefully, you don't have to print out huge amounts of stuff, but it pays to check the cost of cartridges as well as the printer itself.

It will save you hours of time and will make it much easier to keep your paper backup up to date and tidy.

....and you could always write letters to any relatives that you find   

Linda

Added - just looked on Amazon and there are several all in one printers under £50