Advice on organising family research info.

[ryan]

I use Family Tree Legends. It's wonderfuly simple to use, and you can add as much or as little extra information as you want. You can even manually backup your file, you can have real-time internet backup to GenCircles and the program even matches-up your ancestors with other people's ancestors whom you may share. Plus, you get web site storage at GenCircles as part of the program. It's great to navigate and your work looks really proffesional at the end.

[BlueBell]

I was hoping for some input on what is the best way to keep in order all your family research info.  What method or computer program you would recommend?   

I currently have four names I'm researching and have all the info for each in a pile in four separate folders.   Not exactly what you would call a well organised setup!

Thanks

[Darcy]

Hi Bluebell

Fitty started a topic on this a while ago. Just put -

                   Storing all your Gen info

into Search RootsChat at the top of the page and you might get a few ideas.

Cheers
Aaron

PS - Hi All 
 I realise I am being very stupid but I can't figure out how to transfer the actual address of a previous topic to another page to answer a query. Help!!

[tarajobrien]

Hi

here is the link

http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7960.0 Topics now merged - Pam

(Aaron copy it from the address toolbar in your web browser ) - that's what i do anyway.

Bluebell -- i use paf - (personal ancestral file) which is put out by the latter day saints. it does everything i have wanted to do so far, and comes with good help files. i don't know how popular it actually is (maybe we can do a poll on what software everyone uses ??) - i may even get bagged out for admitting i use it - i don't know - but it is simple, lots of printable views etc.

i have a notebook(s) and folders to contain all my stuff that i write down, certificates, census' etc which at the moment is very messy

with software programs if possible you may be able to download trial versions of a few and have a go with a few different ones and choose your favourite?

Tara

[Darcy]

Thanks Tara

I've got me dunce's hat on!
Aaron

[Boongie Pam]

Hi All,

I've merged these two topics because I think they are quite important and it is good to get maximum input on.

Cheers,
Pam

[Kazza]

This thread also has lots of good ideas:

http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5441.0

Kazza.

[Boongie Pam]

I'd forgotten about that thread - thanks Kazza.

After all a chat a few months ago I decided to overhaul my filing system - both electronic and paper.  I have a paper copy of everything mirrored electronically after taking Chris's point on board.  So my filing structures are the same.

My root directory, so to speak, is structured in the same way as Mark Herber recommends in Ancestral Trails - it works a treat.

The main structure is birth surnames.  I include the wife's info in both her maiden and married but only for directs in electronic form.

For surnames that aren't directly related they are included as a sub directory of my direct.  So if Sarah Carruthers sister of Robert Carruthers my 6xggrandfather marries a Hill then the Hill Family are filled under Carruthers as that is the apex of their connection to me.

I also have a data directory which is subdivided by place.  In this I have all the OPR & grave MI I've collected for each area, each data sheet is indexed and the indexes are combined for all areas on one sheet.

All my indexes are printed out once a month if they've been added to and I use these at the library and as a back up.

I have been using the free version of Legacy but it keeps breaking after 30 days which shouldn't happen as it isn't a 30 day trial

Anyway, enouhg!  You'd think I really enjoyed filing!  If that is the case then why is my laundry basket such a mess!

P