Keeping Track of Cousins

Pretty neat idea, huh. Well, I don't have that room, or the money to buy all those binders and bookshelves. Maybe someday. For now, I am working on a system that uses filing folders and binders. Something more compact and cost efficient.

I have narrowed my surname binders down to two for each direct line surname. One binder has copies of records and family group sheets of my direct ancestors and their siblings (who would be aunts and uncles, to me) The other binder is for research clues and leads on that ancestor. Then, I have a separate binder with pedigree charts and a timeline for all my direct lines. Something easy to grab when going to the library, with pocket dividers to add specific research focus material and research logs.

Now, for all those cousin branches. On the right hand corner of each cousin family group sheet, I write down their relationship to me- whether a 3rd, a 4th once removed, etc. cousin. To make it even more clear, I highlight the name (whether husband or wife) that is my blood relation.

Next, I set up my filing system. First, I made a hanging file cabinet folder for each of my direct ancestors. These are the common ancestors (the ancestor you use when looking at a relationship chart to figure out how you are related to your cousin).

Then, I filed cousin surname group sheets in a manila filing folder, one for each surname. My ancestors had a lot of children. To help me keep track of which child that cousin is a descendent of, I write that child's name (which would be an aunt or uncle, or a grandparent to me) in parenthesis on the manila cousin folder. Finally, I drop the folder into our common direct ancestor hanging file.

All this information is carefully entered in my electronic family tree program. When I want a quick look at the the line of a cousin and their branch of descendence, I pull up a relationship tree from my program, enter their name and our common descendents name. Viola! I can see how they branch out on my family tree.

Organizing is one of those things I take weird enjoyment in. I would love to hear from any of my readers as to how they keep their cousins straight. Below is a discussion you can add your comments to.

Here are further aids

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