Genealogy Chat

I am having alot of trouble documenting and filing my research (its getting to be rather annoying). I know a few people/threads have been created about this. I need some tips/advice to stop me pulling my hair out (its rather short so its difficult). And if someone could lead me through the advice step by step so that I am fully understanding of what advice is given too that would also be great. Thanks to anyone Steve

Steve Go to http://www.familysearch.org/ and click on 'Order/Download Products', this will take you to the next page. Click on 'Software Dowloads-Free', the top one listed is Personal Ancestral File 5.2.18.0 - Multi-Language (9.7 MB) This is a Family Tree software package that will allow you to keep all your data in a file that is easily understood. If you click on the heading for Personal Ancestry File it will give you discription of what you can do with it. Just click on 'Download' and it will do the rest. I have been using it for about 3 years now and find it invaluable, and it is free. Victor

Also see Grampa Jim's ''Tips for Newbies'' thread. Re filing the paperwork. I began with one hanging file in a drawer. When it started to look a bit full I split the stuff in it into two piles - one to do with dad's family and one to do with mum's. I then had two hanging files, one with each surname on the front. When mum's file got too full, I split it between her mum's stuff and her dad's stuff and made a new hanging file for her mum's stuff with my gran's maiden surname on it. Later I had to split dad's file into two as well. I have kept going like this, so those lines with lots of documentation have many files and those with little paperwork only have one. You know when you need to split a file as either: 1) you can't find what you are looking for, or 2) all the paper falls on the floor and it takes several mins to pick it up, or 3) the hanging file breaks at the top You see that I use very scientific methods and they work lol Also: I have BMD certs in three files in alphabetical (some people do date) order A separate folder of Wills Some do a run of census sheets - a folder for each census year, but I'm too tight to buy all the printer ink that would take, so have mine on the 'puter with a backup on CD. ...and I still sometimes can't find things lol Sarah

I printed off Family tree sheets from IGI and used them to keep note of tree as well as using Family tree maker and loads of paper but all in one file. Rosalyn