Genealogy Chat

Still all too hard!!!!!!!! Think I need another drink!!!! Will start in the morning...... S x

Sally , this thread has made really interesting reading, and there have been loads of good ideas. Nell, I think the A-Z hardback book is a great idea. I am definitely going to go with that one. Gloria xx

Hasn't it just Gloria.... I just have to start to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will tomorrow I promise! Sal x

I feel a little more motivated to try and get mine into some sort of system now having read some of the good ideas that people have shared. Totally agree about keeping them away from small children though....Bella from the Tweenies scribbled on the back of a cert is not a good look!

Hi Sally, Would you mind letting me know what works best for you, then I will try it ! My info is in such a mess. I don't know where to start. Best wishes, Lyn .... also from Sydney

I know how hard it is..... I will definately let you all know the outcome!!!!!!!!!!! When I know it! It is so hard, I am putting off the thinking of it...but tomorrow morning.....I will do it!!!!! Sal x

Lynn...where in sydney are you? PM me....

nudge for len

This is a really brilliant thread - loads of useful tips, thank you everyone. I have 6 v.large 4xring binders at the moment and I know that will expand pretty rapidly, if I'm lucky lol Julie, thanks for that Bailey website with all the useful charts to download. The forms look really useful and, strangely, I too am researching Bailey - my paternal line. Jan xx

A Sorting Tip: For all those who find the prospect of actually DOING it too overwhelming. Pick up ONE piece of paper and make a file for it, using the 'Dominant' name. Carry on till you are fed up. But, every time you pick up a bit of paper after that, make sxure you put it into one of the files you have just made, or make a file for it. Eventually you will be left with a (hopefully) small pile of rubbish - old envelopes, bits of torn paper etc. Dont throw these away, but gradually transfer either them, or the information, into the correct files. It really doesnt need to be a marathon effort, you can do it over weeks or even months - I dont 'create' a family folder for anyone until Ive actually got some hard evidence. Happy shuffling! Olde Crone

Hi...I have a folder system, but also have an index box A-Z with a file card for every name in my tree. On each card Name d.o.b. date/place of death parents partner children on reverse there are any ref nos. these are useful for quick ref if looking up info at libraries etc.

Dear Sally I went to my local Officeworks and bought a packet of presentation folders (about $15 for a pack of 10), that have a pocket in each side when you open them. I allocate a folder for each surname on my tree. In each of these folders I include a pedigree tree beginning with the first person using the surname on the front. As well as the pedigree chart I include copies of all my 'working' family group records. By working I mean those yet to be completed. In the front pocket I keep a 'to do' list on which to jot further ideas for this line. In the back pocket I keep information on correspondence and research. When I'm satified I've finished a family group I print out a lovely copy and taked it out of the folder and place it in a leave arch file along with all the relevant data for that family group. With regards to women and which folder they should be placed in; until they're married I keep them under their maiden name, then any other information after their marriage goes into the folder marked with their married surname. Hope this is of some use. Sue from Newcastle, NSW.

Hi all... Sue thanks for that....I am busy right this minute trying to sort through it all!!!! Sally in Hornsby!

HORRRRRRAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!! I have just finished my first beautiful file and it looks lovely!!!! I am using ideas from everyone really.....but the system that Teresa uses is how i have set up my file....using a 31 boxed pedigree chart with dividers and numbering the dividers 1 - 31 and keeping all the certs and census' at the back all together..... Using an A - Z book with all the details....loved the idea of having a map showing where they lived at the front so nicking that off Nell.... And the acid free covers for photos and certs etc are a must as I have noticed that some of my certs are fading already. So far so good....I have done nearly half of my first large foolscap folder so only just over 2 and a half to go!!!!!!!! Not to worry, plenty of time....the hardest bit is over....sussing out how to go about it!!! Thanks everyone, you've all been a great help. Sal x

Sally, because i have only gone back 4 generations i keep my certs in colour coded plastic wallets,i have blue for the male line(my dad) and pink for the female side(my mum).the first cert i entered was my dads B/C then marriage cert then death cert, then i entered his fathers B/C marriage cert and death cert then his mothers B/C and death cert, then his both grandparents, so on and so forth and the same with the female side, i can find a cert easily, i also can keep track of who is with who and what side of the family they come from.I also do the same with my notebooks, I have a notebook for each side and then one for websites, when i find a new line to follow or i am not sure of the connection i turn the book around and start from the back(it works for me), one word of warning don't put original documents in plastic wallets as this ruins them, all mine are copies so i am ok, good Luck ....MOE!

Nudge for Lea

Just want to say that these are ALL brilliant tips, however, as time goes by and you find out more and more and find more and more relatives and MORE and MORE possible relatives, things still seem to get MORE and MORE complicated. I have ALL these systems in place, I have the fan charts, the ring-binders, the coloured folders and the arch files, + the a-z note books (in 4 different colours for the 4 main lines), then subdivided into red and blue colour codings for each colour (male + female of course), + all the bits of paper with scribbled notes. From time to time I reorganise everything to incorporate all the extras I have found - This takes up more time and space that I actually have to spend on finding people. - THEN - when I do find myself 'on a roll', as I did the other day when I found more than 50 new relatives in 1 day - it takes me a week to add them all onto GR and onto FTM. OH !!! - THE JOYS OF GENEALOGY!!!!! - I LOVE IT. !! Dea xxx P.S. - I think I mean, fllow all the tips but there is no easy answer - ENJOY!!!

Hi all, I too use arch-lever folders, I have 4 on the go at the moment. In these I keep all the records, ie census records etc. for one family name, filed in generation order. I have made up trees for the male line, which I named 'surname tree 1' then when I side track to the female connections, those trees are named with the same surname then 1A, 1B etc.. I also keep a card index with pink, blue and white cards. Pink for girls, blue for boys and white for unknowns that might be.. On these I record their BMD, parents, siblgings and their children.These are filed under their given names, so i can find a 'John' or 'Mary' quickly. Does that make sense?...lol Having had computer problems in the past, I dont like to only store all the info I have on mine!! Scared I shall lose the lot!! Sue

What a nice thread- and so encouraging.! Particularly like the idea of 'one sheet at a time'. I have so much that the prospect of even starting is as daunting as that of starting to decorate the stairwell and landing! But with these suggestions - ok - I'll crack on with the fam.hist.! Rosi

I have a wonderful system!!! Other than my 'master-file' which has an information sheet for each family member, I have an enormous heap of paper on the dining room table. I have to clear it up if we have people to a meal and can never find anything important when I need to, even though I know it is there. When I grow up (I am still waiting after 57 years!) I am going to get organised and have a wonderful workroom with lots of shelves and file things properly then I am sure that I will be able to find anything I want in an instant. Some hope!!!