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

[katelyn.27]

I'm coming to the online end of my first branch of family history and I'm wanting to make sure it's tidy before I move to another branch.

I currently store certificates/wills in a folder, and save all census images to my computer, as well as transcribing census' onto a word processor for easy reference.

One thing that worries me is that everything is on the computer. It's backed up onto dropbox and my entire tree is online as well, but I feel I should have tangible research! Only problem is I don't have a printer!!

So I guess I just want to check everything I'm doing is OK! I'm pretty new to this and have been reading how everyone organises their research, but most seem to have many files of documents, and seem to emphasise not keeping everything on computers!

Finally I was thinking of creating index cards to keep a list of all the names involved in my tree, probably colour coding by generation and branch of the tree. Has anyone tried index cards? And if so, how successful were they?

[Roger The Hat]

Hi, Katelyn,

With the exception of bought certificates, and a data sheet for each direct ancestor, all of my research is on computer (backed up, of course) - I find it makes modifying data, and swapping between individuals so much easier than rewriting notes and shuffling paper.

Having said that, everyone will have their own preferred method of working. If you like the way you organise your own research then that's the best method!

Good luck,

'Hat.

[elinga]

hi
I have only been doing this for 2 years in October .
I had no idea what to do but just went with what I thought!
I have a lot of info on my pc, I have a family tree, which I have a back up on my pc and on  a usb but I also have a lot of printed certificates and census as you just never know what can happen to your pc and heaven forbid you would lose it all!
it takes up quite a bit of room and to keep it up to date but I would rather have it that way to be safe!
regards
Elinga

[katelyn.27]

Hi, Katelyn,

With the exception of bought certificates, and a data sheet for each direct ancestor, all of my research is on computer (backed up, of course) - I find it makes modifying data, and swapping between individuals so much easier than rewriting notes and shuffling paper.

You say you have a data sheet for each ancestor - how full are your data sheets? And would they fit onto index cards?

I'm thinking maybe create a double sided index card per person, that way if I only have their name and date of birth I'm not wasting paper, and if I know a lot about that person I can write an A4 page in a binder.

[Roger The Hat]

You say you have a data sheet for each ancestor - how full are your data sheets? And would they fit onto index cards?

One or two A4's each, in sleeves, in two ring folders. Definitely wouldn't fit onto index cards, but Mrs. Hat prefers to have these because she doesn't "do" computers!

'Hat.

[katelyn.27]

One or two A4's each, in sleeves, in two ring folders. Definitely wouldn't fit onto index cards, but Mrs. Hat prefers to have these because she doesn't "do" computers!

'Hat.

Woa! So what kind of things do you record? I was just thinking name, parents, birth, baptism, marriage, death, burial and probate on one side and that individuals census returns on the back.

[Roger The Hat]

Quite a few of our "rellies" have stories attached - Mrs. Hat's father's escape from Germany, my many x's Great Grandmother's affairs, for two.

These are what make FH interesting, and these are what I include on my data sheets.

Mrs. Hat's mother likes to read the sheets - she is still waiting for me to prove her family link to Bonny Prince Charlie....!

 

[katelyn.27]

Quite a few of our "rellies" have stories attached - Mrs. Hat's father's escape from Germany, my many x's Great Grandmother's affairs, for two.

These are what make FH interesting, and these are what I include on my data sheets.

Mrs. Hat's mother likes to read the sheets - she is still waiting for me to prove her family link to Bonny Prince Charlie....!

 

Haha! That's excellent! I'm hoping to find more stories as I go further back and delve deeper with parish records. I've just found out my family set up a business in Gateshead which was really interesting.

I think I'll create a file index of everyone in the tree and then build up A4 size documents of the important people with the stories as well.

I began last summer and jumped in with both feet but didn't pay attention to quality of research and evidence. I only thought twice when I found a link to French royalty which is very random and definitely needs verifying! Doing this will force me to verify all facts, as well as give me multiple copies of documents.

Now I want to get organising!! But I want to keep researching!! The decisions!! Genealogy is so much fun!!

[panda40]

I have a data sheet for each person and started off using ring binders and A4 as this was easiest. I have letters written by the individuals on the data sheets covering major events like deaths and inquests.Where available I have obituaries from the local paper including full list of mourners.
I am just setting up my first complete archive folder but I still have everything scanned in to my computer and backed up as well.

Regarding employment, in some cases I have terms of employment and my dads call up papers for national service.
I have the rental agreement for my grandparents first home. The list is endless but the  point is this information pads the person out from just being a list of dates. As you get further back then there is less evidence available.I would say the cards would be useful then but you should be able to find a fair bit of information out about the generations closest to you.

regards panda