Last week, I wrote about computer genealogy programs. They have been a boon to genealogists. But, you will still need a system to store your documents, paper research, family group charts, etc. As your information grows, you will find yourself adapting your storage. After gathering organizational ideas from many sources, I have setup a filing system that works for me. I still keep my eyes open for other brilliant ideas that I can use.
I have only two rules for organizing genealogy. Number one is 'do it'. No matter where you are in your research, or what supplies you can afford, start organizing now. Don't let your notes pile up, because at some point you will get lost and all your hard work will become useless.
The second rule is to set up a system where you will be able to find what you need, when you need it. That is why personalizing your system is important. If someone else's system doesn't make sense to you or seems too unwieldly, it won't work for you. Genealogy is a very personal endeavor.
So, for whatever it is worth, here is my system. I hope you can get some ideas from it.
Supplies:
filing cabinet
hanging files
manila folders
binders
index tab dividers
three ringed plastic sheet protectors
three ringed photo holders
family group sheets
pedigree charts
research logs
I use my filing cabinet to store general genealogy information- maps, facts on states and countries, yet unconnected surname information I have found on the internet, and correspondence. It is a useful place to put things until I can get them into my surname binders.
My binders are the center of my family information. I keep two binders for each major surname. One surname binder contains a pedigree chart on each individual. They are my work in progress binders. I keep a research log in the front, listing the documents and information I am looking for. They go with me when I do research. The pedigree charts, besides known facts, contain speculative dates and data to be proven. The pedigree charts, also, help me keep my head straight on the relationships of my growing number of cousins.
The second surname binder contains the family group sheets. Each adult has their own family group sheet, and index tab sheet. As I accumulate documents, newspaper clippings, letters, stories, and photos for an individual, I add these. (That's why the index tabs come in handy. I can keep all the information about an individual in their section.) For each documentation on an individual, I have a separate family group sheet, with only the information found on that ducument written on it. The family group sheet and the documentation is slipped into a three ringed sheet protector, front to back. That way, I know exactly where that information came from. One family group sheet on the individual is a compilation of all the information I have. I use the three ringed photo inserts, not only for pictures, but also for small newspaper clippings, funeral cards, etc. If a documentation- such as a census record- contains information on more than one individual, I make copies.
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