If you are like so many people, getting organized may be one of those elusive goals that you will "one of these days" achieve. It just seems like too much work, and besides, that's something only doable by very obsessive types. There may be a bit of truth to this. But one thing is certain. When you are trying to make heads or tails of the family history research you have completed, having some system of organization can be a blessing. It can also help you to more quickly analyze and share your data.
There are as many ways of organizing your family history research as there are researchers, but there are some basic tips that many genealogists over the years have found useful. Just remember that you have to come up with a system that works for you. If you organize yourself from day one, you might prevent some problems later on, when the thousands of pieces of data you've compiled seem completely unmanageable.
No matter which system you choose, there are some basic tools no researcher should be without:
- file cabinet and/or portable file boxes
- looseleaf paper or printed forms on which to record data
- 3-ring binder with index dividers
- lots of file folders
- pens and pencils (some archives/libraries will only allow you to use pencil to avoid permanent damage to their materials)
It may seem like a great deal of work, but it is a good idea to keep two sets of files: one as your "permanent", stay-at-home files, and the other as your "working" set. It is wise to keep your original copies of birth certificates, photographs, etc. in a safe, acid-free environment at home. Many of these items are irreplaceable. At the minimum, keep your original one-of-a-kind documents in a safe place, like a fire-proof security box, and only copies in your working files.
To get started organizing your research, you will need some forms that are commonly used by genealogists. These include family group sheets, correspondence and research logs, pedigree charts, and many others. You can download several types of forms for free at the Family Tree Magazine website. For those of you who like to share research over the internet via email, here is an "email-able" Family Group Sheet.
One of your first organizational tasks is to prepare a Pedigree Chart that illustrates all of your known ancestors. These charts are graphic representations of the direct ancestors of the person in the first position on the chart. (The upper right hand of most pedigree charts have a section which states: No. 1 on this chart is the same person as No.____ on chart No. ____. This enables you to keep track of multiple ancestors on multiple charts.) Your direct ancestors include parents, grandparents, etc. Start with your children, so that you have separate identification numbers for you and your spouse's ancestors.
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