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Topic: How do you organise your family history research? (Read 4952 times)
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gbuttery
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Posts: 211
I've not edited my PROFILE yet
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Hi All,
I thought I was totally disorganised, but I seem to be efficiant compared to some of you !!! Maybe I just haven't as much stuff.
I started off with Family Tree Maker a few years ago, but when I found the LDS Paf 5 system, I have never looked back. I keep all my infomation on the computer, backed up regularly on disc and even a disc at my mums in case the house burns down!!!
But I have a paper copy of all thats on the Paf File. Thats divided between 4 ring binders, one each for my mum and dad's family and one each for my husband's mum and dad. Some thicker than others. I don't print out a new page everytime I add more info to the computer, but writeit on my page and print out a new one when it looks messy. Certificates, photos and census images are all in the files. Makes it more interesting for any of the family who wants to look at the books.
But, like another lister, I also print out any infomation I get via emails, etc. When the info is added to my computer and files, it is then kept in another larger file, alphabetically, by surname. I do often have a pile of papers waiting to be filed, but there not taking over yet!
Gill
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Looking for ALMEY / ATKIN /BOWMAN / BRANTON /BRIGGS /BUTTERY / CARLILE /CARTER / CLIFFE / FARNEL / FORD / FOWL/ FROKINGHAM /FROW / GODDARD/HODGE /KIDD/MAUD / MEINECKE / PEERS /POOL / PROCTER / ROBINSON / SMITH / SPEED / TUTE / UFFINDELL /WINN
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aghadowey
RootsChat Moderator
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Posts: 7683
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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I started research almost 35 years ago, inheriting a large collection of information from my father's mother and other relatives. When I got a computer I started using Framily Tree Maker but soon found it did not print out family trees that I could organise the way I wanted.
Now, I use Word to type information so it can easily be sent to others and even with a few changes be used as a questionnaire. Files are backed up regularly. Printed version kept in clear pockets in ring binders. If I get new information, or want to remember to check something, I put a note inside the clear pocket. Then, when I open the file, I type the new information and print it out when needed.
In large filing cabinets I keep letters and documents filed by surname.
When out doing research- libraries, graveyards, etc.- I use notebooks to record data which is then transferred. My husband keeps his own research notebooks and also has filing drawers for 5 x 8 index cards, indexed by surname then townland (his research only covers Ireland, while mine is spread in various countries).
However, I have to confess that I still have lots of paperwork to file. Husband is giving me a new computer for birthday/Christmas present so I will have to get the office cleaned up before then!
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redkop
RootsChat Veteran
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Posts: 748
Freddie
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Just a small idea.
I bought some charts, because I wanted to see all the connections between each family.
I found the charts from, www.genealogyprinters.com quite useful.
Red 
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MCLENNAN - Inverness Scotland and Liverpool
WHITTAKER - Offaly Ireland
MILLER. HURST, BALL. DUTTON. BIBBY, MORGAN, GASKELL - Liverpool
ELLIS - Plymouth, Devon
COLLINS - Bishops Castle, Shropshire.
MASON. MILLER - Runcorn/Chester
ROWLAND - Widnes, Lancs.
CHARLTON - Bury, Lancs
GREGGS - Cumbria
BRISCOE - SHERLOCK - Cheshire
VOCE - Warrington, Lancs
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julianb
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1359
Portrait of the genealogist as a young man
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Could someone tell me what LDS Paf 5 system is please,
Sorry, Jukebox , we've overlooked your request. PAF stands for Personal ancestral File, and it is a free family history/genealogy program available from the Mormon Church via the FamilySearch site.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/012o/
It is a good program, but inevitably geared to the needs of mormons eg life events expressed in mormon terms. But that's no barrier to others using it.
Of course you don't get some of the bells and whistles you get with other, commercial programmes, but (if i recall) it will generate web pages and other reports quite comfortably
Hope this answers your question
JULIAN.
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Essex - Carter, Danns, Mason, Middleditch, Pond, Poole, Rose, Sorrill, Surry, Theobold Kent - Luetchford Nottinghamshire - Baker, Dunks, Woodward, Price, Priestley Suffolk - Rose Surrey - Baker, Bedel, Bransden, Carter, Coleman, Gibbs, Luetchford, Quinton Sussex - Gibbs, Langridge Wiltshire - Brice, Rumble http://genbires.blogspot.com/http://genbires-networking.blogspot.com/Any census info in this post is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2620
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I have two organizational questions:
One, within surname files, do you divide and organize information? Some of my files are so large, and I go looking for a birth cert or census record or some such and it takes a while. I was wondering if it would actually be worth organizing further, or is that just a little too over the top.
Secondly, how does one keep straight contacts they have made. I do searches all the time and am contacting people often, and sometimes I find myself contacting the same person, maybe after six months or even a couple years. What would be the best way to keep track of that kind of information? I have tried a journal, but that is tough to look back through.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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kerryb
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Posts: 9604
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Kath
To answer your second query. I have within my Microsoft Outlook a folder called Family History and then surnames matching those on my tree. All contact emails go into those folders to be saved. I flag the ones where I have promised or would be sensible to share info and periodically do a check. Not ideal but worked so far.
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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patrish
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Posts: 3494
BACK AGAIN
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I am a paper file, and ring folder I'm afraid. I keep census's together as families, paper files in families, separate files for BMD in family and chronological order.
I also reuse the certificate envelopes for odd and ends of printed info, photo's etc
I have Family Tree Maker, still not got around to putting the info in though, desperately need a spare room for my "office" 
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this information is Crown Copyright. from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk London Hall, Thurston Stanley, Phillips, Ayrton, White, Morrish, Smith. West Ham/Barking Saint,Briggs, Essex Barker, Hampshire Kill, Kent Spong, U.S.A Earp, Scotland/Cumbria Templeton, Devon Morrish, Chudley |
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Josephine
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"...within surname files, do you divide and organize information? Some of my files are so large, and I go looking for a birth cert or census record or some such and it takes a while. I was wondering if it would actually be worth organizing further, or is that just a little too over the top."
Kath,
I think the key is to do what works best for you.
I had files set up like that but it was too messy for me. Now I have binders set up and files just for original, official documents.
My binders are broken down by family as follows:
Beaumont Binder #1
Divider #1 (yellow) - The first couple & their records. (Generation 1: John Beaumont & Sarah Simmons)
Divider #2 - (orange) The first child, spouse, etc. (Generation 2: John George Beaumont & Lavinia Emma Crayford)
Within Section #2 (still orange) - Each child for whom I have documentation in birth order. (Generation 3: John George Beaumont Jr.)
Within Section #2 (green) - Any children of the Generation 2 folks (behind their own parents).
And so on.
This makes it easy for me to flip through the binders to find the children of so-and-so and see what I've got so far. By now I have so many names (for me, not compared to a lot of other people, LOL) that sometimes I have to look at my genealogy database to find out who so-and-so's parents were so I know which binder to grab. I have three 3-inch binders holding my Beaumont documents. But that includes all the binder dividers and person sheets and family group sheets!
I really like this system. It's the easiest way for me to store and retrieve paperwork and it's the most logical way I could devise to organize the information so my family members could follow it, too (I like to give binders of documents to family members).
I know this is about binders but it might apply to folders, too.
Regards,
Josephine
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Barnett (Chatham, Kent)
Beaumont (Gillingham, Kent)
Christy (Shropshire, Lancashire & Cheshire)
George (London area, incl. Bethnal Green)
Holland (Cheshire)
Parker (Chatham, Kent)
Pope (Middlesex)
Salisbury (Cheshire)
Simmons (Kent)
Cunningham, Dobson, Easton, Muir, Pryde & Oliver (Scotland to Canada)
Carson, Colbert, Colclough, Coy, McGlinchey, Riley, Rooney, Trotter & Waters (Ireland to Canada)
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aghadowey
RootsChat Moderator
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Posts: 7683
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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I also have lots of information in binders (over 55 doing a quick count from my desk). Have three old pine wardrobes converted into bookcases. On the shelves are books, sorted by category, and ring binders. Binders are different colours according to contents- blue= census records, yellow= church records (local church records indexed by surname), black= photographs & graveyards, orange & purple= related families of my husband and I, silver (6)= files on misc. local families I've researched, lime green= Griffith's valuation (for 4 local parishes), dark green= school registers, voting lists, local landlords' records, etc. Last of all is a thick blue binder labelled 'Herd Book' with misc. family trees (where there's not enough information to be typed and filed in binder).
Also have 2 large filing cabinets for correspondence and original documents.
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Josephine
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Oh my gosh, aghadowey, you have a lot of data! Amazing!
You inspired me to count my binders: much to my surprise, I have 29 binders of varying sizes.
Regards,
Josephine
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Barnett (Chatham, Kent)
Beaumont (Gillingham, Kent)
Christy (Shropshire, Lancashire & Cheshire)
George (London area, incl. Bethnal Green)
Holland (Cheshire)
Parker (Chatham, Kent)
Pope (Middlesex)
Salisbury (Cheshire)
Simmons (Kent)
Cunningham, Dobson, Easton, Muir, Pryde & Oliver (Scotland to Canada)
Carson, Colbert, Colclough, Coy, McGlinchey, Riley, Rooney, Trotter & Waters (Ireland to Canada)
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julianb
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 1359
Portrait of the genealogist as a young man
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You inspired me to count my binders: much to my surprise, I have 29 binders of varying sizes.
Do I feel a Lighter Side thread coming on - Have you got more than 55 binders?
JULIAN
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Essex - Carter, Danns, Mason, Middleditch, Pond, Poole, Rose, Sorrill, Surry, Theobold Kent - Luetchford Nottinghamshire - Baker, Dunks, Woodward, Price, Priestley Suffolk - Rose Surrey - Baker, Bedel, Bransden, Carter, Coleman, Gibbs, Luetchford, Quinton Sussex - Gibbs, Langridge Wiltshire - Brice, Rumble http://genbires.blogspot.com/http://genbires-networking.blogspot.com/Any census info in this post is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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Josephine
RootsChat Aristocrat
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"Do I feel a Lighter Side thread coming on - Have you got more than 55 binders?"
LOL, Julian, please post a link if one is started!
Regards,
Josephine
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Barnett (Chatham, Kent)
Beaumont (Gillingham, Kent)
Christy (Shropshire, Lancashire & Cheshire)
George (London area, incl. Bethnal Green)
Holland (Cheshire)
Parker (Chatham, Kent)
Pope (Middlesex)
Salisbury (Cheshire)
Simmons (Kent)
Cunningham, Dobson, Easton, Muir, Pryde & Oliver (Scotland to Canada)
Carson, Colbert, Colclough, Coy, McGlinchey, Riley, Rooney, Trotter & Waters (Ireland to Canada)
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2620
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So I have a dumb question for those who use binders: Do you use pockets in the binders or hole-punch the records?
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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