How do you organize your genealogy??
@MadameLaCouyan (149)
United States
December 31, 2006 2:53pm CST
Lately is seems that alot of my genealogy friends are going through an organization craze. It's one that color codes generations and family members for easier access and recognition. Now I've been to a few classes on this and have been preached to that it is the only way to go but I haven't been sold on it as of yet. Personally most of my files are digital and I keep them really backed up. This includes my sources. I have both a digital file for original documents and then a paper file for the original document. And I keep those documents in folders by family. The most important ones I keep in my fireproof lock box with the backups for my digital files. This is a great system for me. And most of the data I keep in my head so I'm not carrying around alot of papers when I go to do archival or field research. Of course I still have family members that are almost completely still in the paper age and haven't quite moved forward into the digital and computer age.
How do you organize your genealogy? Is it digital/computer, paper, a combination of both, part of this new age/new way of color coding things or something all together different?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@webduck (238)
• United States
26 Jan 07
You could probably say that I keep my document and photo files on my computer, but all of them that have been scanned have a hard copy backup. I use Family Tree Maker to keep things organized, and a good filing cabinet or two. I haven't tried color coding my paper files, but I have done colors for generations when I am putting together a family tree chart. When I first began doing genealogy, I put all of my photos into a main Genealogy Photos file, and then did sub folders of my family and my husband's. From there, I did further sub folders of each family line. Yes, I am a Virgo! LOL
@foxbrain (203)
• India
1 Jan 07
I started out in intrest to trace my generations, but it looks like my family broke into atleast 8 parts more and more. For. eg, my mother has 3 relations and father has 5 relations so all in all i have 8 again these 8 have more to 4 or more than 4 relations into 2 nd generation it all got too complex for me So now i just left it till i get someone to help me chart out my family.
@wildecoyote (975)
• Australia
1 Jan 07
About 6 years ago my sister and I, well mainly me, traced our family tree and we used different colors for each generation.
@hazydazy (783)
• United States
31 Dec 06
I started out on paper, but soon realized that was going to be a big problem. I had notes everywhere and I could not find anything when I wanted it.
Then I tired using microsoft office and set up a data base. I still use that.
I also purchased Family Tree Legends. That is a wonderful program. You can create charts, reports, import sound or video into a scrapbook, and meet up with other researchers. There is a lot more, but I will not bore you.
I have also found that taking a tape recorder along on trips to cemeteries and such is a huge help.
My goal is to go back as far as possible, but in the mean time keep it all organized on the computer and paper. I would like to have everything into separate binders for each surname.
All of my records are also on disc that I keep in a safety deposit box at the bank. I have heard that the fire boxes can pop open in a fire. I don't want to take that chance.
Oh! My surnames are: Hoffman, Gerringer, Gladfelter, Roher, Chilcote, Rinker, Wilson, Cromwell, Park, and Benner.
I think that will keep me busy for a while..lol.
