Author
|
Topic: How do you file your Family Tree Paperwork? (Read 4220 times)
|
CarolBurns
RootsChat Aristocrat
 Offline
Posts: 1920
I'm still looking !
|
Well I have a Lever arch file for each of my 8 family names (mine and hubby's grandparents) . These are used to display the main info such as reports, copies of certs and census and photos so this can be shown to family members
Then for the rest of the paperwork I have foldres in the filing cabinet - again one for each name of our Grandparents and one for each of the names linked to the family that has loads of info. Each file has the spare paperwork. Then there is one each for the photos in each main family, One file for certs (which has to be sorted into names), one each for correspondence from each Main line, a folder with research forms, a folder for census images for links to the family, a folder for census images for each main line, Spare info that I have collected that has turned out to be the wrong link is in yet another file.
And then everything is also on my hard drive again in separate folders My census discs are in one CD carrier and photos and general in another. And my Dad keeps a copy of each census disc we own on one of his harddrives so if anything goes wrong or I lose them some way we still have our own copy
But I still tend to think I am not that organised and need to work out a better system
Carol
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Thomas, Williams,Owen (s),Griffith (s), Jones - Anglesey
Burns, Wallace - Northumberland, Ireland, Scotland
Horsburgh, Sandilands, Blackhall, Rankine, Rankin, Hilson, Nielson - Scotland
Turnbull, Mills, Burgoyne, Burgon - Northumberland,
Davidson - Scotland, India, Burma
Lopez - India, Burma
|
|
|
throckenholt
RootsChat Senior
Offline
Posts: 323
|
On my computer I have a folder for each surname of my grandparents (eg Luker-Connections) - within that each family name has word document with all the info I have in it. I also have separate folders for each census year where I keep copies of the census return for all relevant people - suitably named.
I also keep emails relating to given families names in folders under my email client.
I keep cd copies of this periodically, and keep a copy on my pc at work (paranoid ? no !)
Paper copies go in A4 folders - again collected in family groupings - but normally groups further back in my tree - because I have too much to just fit in 4 folders ! Each family name has its own section, and all relevant stuff is put in there in date order. I must have 25-30 folders at the moment.
I also have a folder that is split into the 4 original family names, and then each family name in alphabetical order - with a tree of the direct line of descent - no siblings, giving dates. That helps me figure out how each family name relates (I used to know - buit now I have so many I can't always remember). Unfortunately this is now out of date too  .
I also have an A4 box folder that I put miscellaneous stuff in, and stuff too big for that goes in the bottom drawer of a filing cabinet.
And I have a pile on my desk which hasn't made into any filing system yet.
Eventually I hope to merge the two so that all the old stuff gets written up to computer and all the new stuff gets printed out. And all the photos get scanned. But I have a feeling it is going to take years to get there - if I ever do.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
GordonD
RootsChat Senior
Offline
Posts: 345
G grandparents Francis Laughlan and Agnes Tripney
|
For anybody who uses Scotlandspeople I find the timeline feature a useful extra way of backing up the images that I have looked at. In addition to saving them onto my computer and backing them up on USB and printing off hardcopies this provides away of having access to the correct images without trawling through the unwanted previously viewed images if you're not on your own computer or don't have the USB and hardcopy. Things are kept in chronological order in the timeline and you can give the images your own name to keep track of it.
Gordon
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Lanarkshire-Gray, Laughlan, Black, Hamilton, Kerr, Lindsay, Faulds, Brownlie, Wright, Richardson, Pitcairn, Campbell, Craig, Pettigrew, Mirrlees, McLardy Stirlingshire- Tripney, Cowan, Gibb, Tulloch, Thomson Dumfriesshire- Hope, Johnstone, Jardine, Donaldson, Wright, Irving, Sommers Cumberland- Douglas, Harrison Northumberland- Turnbull, Paxon Ayrshire- Howie, Muir Renfrewshire, West Lothian, Ireland http://gtd005.rootschat.net |
|
|
Mobo
RootsChat Aristocrat
Offline
Posts: 2360
Forever Searching
|
Firstly, my eight main families are all on Family Tree Maker, and I update them whenever I receive new data, making sure I print a copy of the Genealogy Report at the same time and destroying the old one. Then I update my website.
As for the paperwork, simple -
I have eight Document Wallets (one for each family, each in a different colour, with the name written large on the front in felt tip pen). This contains the printed out 'Genealogy Report' from Family Tree Maker, and all relevant correspondence.
I also keep four colour matched Document Wallets for each family, one for Certificates, one for Census Copies, one for Wills & legal documents and one for photographs, again all suitably identified on the front by name & content in felt tip pen.
So, for instance, if I were working on my BUCKLEY family, I would have the five purple Wallets beside me on the PC. I would simply open the first one, take out the printed Genealogy Report, and *hey presto* the BUCKLEY info would all be there at a glance to work from.
Easy Peasy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
BUCKLEY, Ches. DUNN, Ireland & Lancs. EDGSON, Rutland, Leics & Lancs. LYON, Lancs. McNULTY, Ireland & Lancs. MORRIS, Beds, Hunts & Lancs. TURNER, Lancs. WILLIAMSON, Lancs. Website: http://www.ag19pfalz36.plus.com/All Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) |
|
|
LibbyW
RootsChat Senior
Offline
Posts: 395
Hannah Louise Robins 1877-1946
|
I am part way there, I have one very large folder full of all census copies for each family labelled alphabetically. Another folder for birth, marriage and death certs............ and thats it so far  now need to work out what to do next
Libby
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukPerry:- Middlesex, Hertford, Essex. Britton:- Middlesex, London, Gloucester. Murray:- Lancashire. Lee:- Liverpool. Bennison:- Cumberland, Yorkshire? Robins:- Liverpool, London, Devon. Procter:- Liverpool. Westhead :- Liverpool. Norman :- Essex, Suffolk. Kitchener:- Bedford, Middlesex. Marriage:- Middlesex. Chopping:- Hertford. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sarra
RootsChat Senior
Offline
Posts: 350
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Old Rowley, I have been thinking about what I should do with all my research. It was worrying me because I am in such at mess I did not know where to start. But thanks to you I will be able to make a start. I don't know how long it will take me but I will do it.
Thank you to all the others for your ideas.
Sarra
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Walcha72
RootsChat Member
Offline
Posts: 162
Granny Dot - my great grandmother
|
Hi All,
I've also followed some of Old Rowley's suggestions about filing with folders for births, deaths, marriages and separate folders for English and Scottish Censuses. Still have to sort out everything else (immigration records etc).
At the same time, I am sourcing all these things in my tree so I know exactly, for example, which census in 1881 to look at. I am also entering all the certificates onto an Excel spreadsheet so I can easily see what certificates or censuses I am missing for who. I am sick of searching on Scotland's People for something to find I have already downloaded it. Not to mention getting home and finding 4 copies of a marriage certificate I have printed out at various times from work.
My plan is also to be able to email the spreadsheet to fellow researchers so we can see what gaps we can fill in for each others collections of certificates.
So far it seems to be working, but its still in the setup phase.
Debbie
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
DICKSON, COWAN, ARMSTRONG, MARTIN - Roxburghshire
MITCHELL, MCCORMICK, CAMERON, CLEGG - Argyllshire
HOY - Essex, Australia
GRUNDY - Berkshire, Australia
ROPER - Hampshire, Australia
GILLIES - Aberdeenshire, Australia
BANKHEAD - Ireland?, Australia
|
|
|
Berlin-Bob
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
 Online
Posts: 5056
by My Daughter. Chatting to find her Roots !
|
I am also entering all the certificates onto an Excel spreadsheet so I can easily see what certificates or censuses I am missing for who.
I passed on some tips for using spreadsheets here
Topic: Spreadsheets help track Surnames
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,31779.0.html
in a reply to that info (reply #1) I added an idea of my own:
name, or number, all your folders, and include a column in the spreadsheet for a reference to the folder where you keep the documentation.
this might be a good idea for all the "folder" based solutions on this topic.
think of it as a glorified "inventory" which is also a research tool
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Searching for Coleman, Moore, Kallnung in London; Margulies, Remenyi in E. Europe; Ancestors of Hessie Stevenson-Coleman-Baxter (Ireland, 1861) and, of course, any other ancestors for my web-site http://boco.rootschat.net All Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) |
|
|
kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Offline
Posts: 9207
|
Bob
I thought your ideas about Excel sheets were really good, I just haven't had time to do anything about it! The story of my life.
However I have also started an Excel sheet where I list all the certificates that I want or feel belong to my lot so that I can keep track of them.
As for filing I have an A4 envelope per surname (cheaper than A4 folders) and I have a corresponding folder on the computer per surname.
The envelopes started with 3 or 4 surnames but as I accumulate more info I have to give them a separate one each.
Kerry
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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 |
|
|
saz1401
RootsChat Senior
Offline
Posts: 418
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
antrim, donegore, ballycraigy, doagh, ballysavage, carnmoney, ballyhenry, belfast, mallusk, hydepark names - twigg, gault, robinson, stevenson, todd, kirkpatrick, porter, mayne, topping, McDowell, douglas
|
|
|
|
|
kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Offline
Posts: 9207
|
Barbara
Do a little each day and you will be amazed how organized you can become!! 
Kerry 
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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 |
|
|
|
