Getting Organized, Part II

Most family historians have something in common: they have stacks and stacks of papers that, frankly, look like some quickly growing life form, for they expand in size weekly. All of these pieces of paper can become overwhelming, and before anyone can present a cohesive, documented, professional looking family history, the stacks have to be conquered. This isn't just an exercise in neatness. Instead, organizing your family history research will enable you to more quickly access information you have already gathered, help you avoid duplication of your research, and finally, will aid you in sharing your data with others.

Last week's article, Getting Organized, Part I, talked about preparing Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets. If you have done this, you have gotten a head start on taming the paper monster. Once you have placed your Family Group Sheets into appropriately labeled (by surname) file folders, then put any other related papers, articles, copies of documents, etc. into those files. You can then file these alphabetically in your file box or cabinet. (Again, it is wise to have two sets of files, a stay-at-home set, and a working set.)

Some other types of files you should have are:

• Research-Keep all of your notes and records on research you have performed. Maintain one surname per folder. Also, when you record information you have obtained from various resources, only put data on one family per each sheet of paper. If you include several families on one sheet of paper, where will you file the information you've gathered? It is also helpful here to keep records of sources you have utilized, and a research log as well. Forms for recording your research are available and are quite useful. (Try the Family Tree Magazine site for free downloadable forms.)
• Correspondence---Even with the ability to perform internet and computer research, and the availability of information at libraries and archives, there will be many times when the only way you can gain information is through correspondence with an institution or another family researcher. Anytime you write a letter concerning an aspect of your research, make a copy and place the letter into your correspondence folder. File these according to the dates they were sent out. When you receive a reply, pull the copy of the letter you originally sent from the file. This way, you can look into your correspondence file, and easily tell how long it has been since you have had a reply to your requests.
  The copyright of the article Getting Organized, Part II in Family Historians is owned by Deanna Corbeil. Permission to republish Getting Organized, Part II in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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