Files...

My genealogy buddy and I were talking about how we file our
paper copiies of documents, notes and such. (It would be
nice to have it all on computer, but after a bunch of
crashes - its better to have the paper backup)

Lesley Robertson...

Too right. I've also had a couple of Cds refuse to load (one of them less
than a year old). I have just bought external hard drives from my work
archive and home, and everything I had on CD is now being also coied to
them, plus everything on my hard disc. Indeed, for the work archive, I
bought 2 external drives, one of which will be brought home for safe keeping
once I'm through backing everything up. I've always kept copies of important
CDs at home and work to make sure that important stuff is in 2 buildings in
case of fire or flood.

I started off by making file folders for all the last names
in the direct line - but some of those are empty - and then
there are some really fat files.

So, my question - how do you file your documents, emails,
notes, back up CD's, maps, etc? Color coded? big shoe box?
lateral filing cabinets, by name, by relationship number?

myths...

The important thing is to know what you have, and be able to find it.

So an index referring to location is vital.

It may be convenient for retreival if stuff you are likely to want at
the same time is filed in the same location, but not totally
necessary. With a good index, you could file in document acquisition
order, and still find everything.

by family? How do you organize your research? I am sure
this has been asked before...

Lesley Robertson...

I've got all my stuff in loose leaf files, sorted by generation and counting
myself as generation 0. Withing a generation's section, the front page for
each couple is a simple (just BMD dates) 3-generation tree showing the
couple with their parents and children. These files contain printed scans of
any photos - the originals are in acid-free folders in an acid-free archive
box, sorted by my 4 grandparents surnames.

Steve Hayes...

It has, many times.

I file all documents, if possible, in lever arch files, and number them
consecutively.

Then I catalogue and index them using the PAF Research Data Filer program.

I am using a plastic box that holds hanging letter size file
folders. All photocopies from church books go into plastic
sleeves.

Lesley Robertson...

Good system. There's probably as many different ways as there are
researchers.
Lesley Robertson

take care
Liz