Collation of Inofrmation

[amielou86]

Hi guys

I've got loads of family information now but in true form, now i have registered my 3 month subscription to FindMyPast I'm struggling.  I've got so many pieces of paper and information floating around i'm struggling to collate it all and move on in my research.  I dont want my subscription to run out and not really use it. 

Any suggestions on the best way to collate all my information and a quick way of doing it?  Getting brain freeze!!

Thanks

[hugatree]

Hi amielou

Create an indexing system by family, note the code on your tree, index into a bunch of lever arch files.  If you're in the UK, join freecycle and apost a wanted ad for the files, you'll get loads of offers!  oh and keep a prioritised to-do list on your desktop!

Good luck

[janan]

Hi amielou

There are a lot of ideas here

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,124293.0.html

and there are probably other threads too.

I won't offer any advice as my method is the pieces of paper and information floating around that you are tryting to move on from

Jan

[falcybe]

Use a spreadsheet programme like Excel or the free OpenOffice Calc.
Take each piece of paper in turn without attempting to sort it into any order (you are going for speed here) and number it in the corner: 1 2 3 .... 1000.

In the spreadsheet record in five columns the following information
N° / Surname / Type (ie census, BMD cert, notes, other) / year month date / Master or individual source (M or I)

If you can quickly add a Forename or the reference number used by your FT programme for each person in it then do so, otherwise add these columns in three months time.

The papers can then be filed in n° order in a ring binder or similar to your preference.

And collation can be carried out electronically.

good luck