Filing my research advice please.

[jettejjane]

Having tried many ways of filing all my research papers and not feeling I have come up with the correct way, can I ask how you do yours?

I have each relative together with documents in a plastic sleeve. I have several files.  One just deals with Great Grandfather and his children.  My father has his own.  I have  other relatives  together, grandfathers, their children and so on in another file.  I have an ancestor who emigrated so he has his own file. Then I tried generation and dob order but families got split. Then I considered a file for each person but that would take up so much room.  I don't suppose there is a wrong or right way its whatever suits the individual. I cannot seem to hit on a way to make it easy for myself.

Have I explained myself properly.  On the computer it is not so important.

[eadaoin]

Well, I keep changing my system every few years, and sometimes changing back again.
I 've been doing this for 20 years, and it's slowly coming right?

But, I can feel another biggish change coming on for one aspect.

I think you'll find as time goes on, that some parts will be obviously right, so leave them alone . .
and others will bug you, so try a different way.

[Maggsie]

Well, you are doing it how I do it.
I have a file for each name, then plastic inserts for each family.
I do have a huge spread sheet that I keep on a dongle. This is so I can take it all over the place and plug it in and copy it to whoever wants a copy of it. This also contains all the back up documents.
There isn't really a "correct way".
Maggsie

[jettejjane]

Thanks guys.

I agree no wrong or right way.  Where I get in a quandary is with the females. Although I originally started with the males because I found it easier I did branch out to the females. That causes another problem do I set up separate files under their married names?  Or just leave them with maiden name as they are now?  As I am quite new to this I have not gone into their spouses. But I have gone forward with children. Many of my grandfathers sister I knew or knew of from my father so I just had to fill in the gaps.  My Grandmothers family is all together and as she had 6 sisters I have just kept that lot all together.  I fear if I start anymore files I will have to turn the spare room into a library!

At the moment it is bugging me and I  feel a change coming on yet again.   I just though it would make it easy for my children (if they ever show an interest!) to have everything in good order.

Jane

[groom]

When you say you have all your documents in plastic sleeves, are they ordinary ones or acid free? If they are important documents it might be worth considering the latter so they are preserved properly.

[jettejjane]

When you say you have all your documents in plastic sleeves, are they ordinary ones
or acid free? If they are important documents it might be worth considering the latter so they are preserved properly.

That is a very good point. That was mentioned on another thread. Completely forgot the good advice They just sleeves I got from work.I will Google and see where I can get acid free.

Thanks Jan

[spices]

I agree no wrong or right way.  Where I get in a quandary is with the females. Although I originally started with the males because I found it easier I did branch out to the females. That causes another problem do I set up separate files under their married names?  Or just leave them with maiden name as they are now?

I always keep the females maiden names. I had an aunt who would combine the maiden & married name ie Ann SMITH (BROWN) McKENZIE. I found it very difficult to follow.

I need a super good computer reference system.  any ideas

[jettejjane]

[quote author=spices link=topic=715870.msg5595456#msg5595456 date=1426616670

I always keep the females maiden names. I had an aunt who would combine the maiden & married name ie Ann SMITH (BROWN) McKENZIE. I found it very difficult to follow.

I need a super good computer reference system.  any ideas

[/quote]

Spices yes that's my problem too. But luckily most females so far have kept to one marriage so that helps.

My gt x3 grandfather married again and then emigrated to US with 7children. The first 4 were older and stayed here.  The  He has another file called The American Connection. This one is a nightmare to file!

Sadly can't help on computer reference. Mine is just a mess! But I know how it works!

Nice talking with you. Jane

[Rosinish]

I need a super good computer reference system.  any ideas

Most of my docs are downloaded or scanned to comp.

I always list females with their maiden name.

I have a database with each surname in my direct lines & databases within there for separate branches which is easily located no matter what just by doing a search on comp of surname.

I always recommend buying a FTM programme as it is so simple to use & also easily trasferred to free online family tree hosts by gedcom.

I do have paperwork in folders in the same way with dividers for different families from the same surnames............always using my direct ancestors surnames rather than a surname of someone marrying into my family 

Annie