Keeping records

At the moment I have been using Genes Re-united to input my family
History and wonder if there is a better way of keeping all the records
which are growing quickly. I've seen some CD packages for Family Trees
but was a bit dubious. I would want to save the records onto disc or
DVD as well for in case of computer failure. Any suggestions please?

Don Phillipson...

Your main decision may be between:
1. Saving to CD the data files in a form that only your
preferred tree software can use; this requires also
preserving your software.
2. Saving to CD the data in a form (almost) all
genealogical software can import, i.e. GEDcom.

Temprance...

Number 2 is logical as my daughter points out that I have to think of
future generations being able to access it. But we never know what
technology will come along in 50 years time.
Temprance

Lesley Robertson...

If you're thinking of that sort of time scale (rather than security
backups), use hard copy, not CDs. I've just had a couple fail on me - one
was about 6 years old, the other was only a year old. For long term storage,
go for the lowest possible tech level. Not only, as you say yourself, does
technology change, but things degrade. I'm currently getting material from
an archive I look after digitised, but the first step (as laid down by the
dutch version of the National Library) is copying onto archive-quality film
(and then the film gets scanned to DVD, believed to be more stable than CD,
for ease of use). The film is known to be stable and doesn't need high tech
equipment to read it (some of what we have is glass negatives, we no longer
have a projector that can take them, but they all fit nicely onto a
scanner).
Lesley Robertson

Brenda Orsler...

I use the free Personal ancestry File (PAF) from the Latter days Saints.
Every now and then I create a GED file from that program and upload it
to Genes reunited. You don't have to delete your tree from Genes each time.
The PAF program is much easier to input data and change stuff around and
by sending the file up to Genes you have it saved 'up there' as well as
on your p.c.
Brenda

Lesley Robertson...

This is a very good point. It doesn't avctually matter whether you send the
data to a database like GR, or (as I do) keep copies at work (and I have
work copies at home) or with a family member as well - just in case you have
a fire or breakin, all your years of work are still safe.
Lesley Robertson

Temprance...

As a temporary measure I decided to buy a Pen Drive Card Reader which
was on a special price. As I broke my little digital camera I already
have a spare SD card. I like the idea of the external hard drive but
not the price at the moment.. The point about giving a family member
is a good one. I had a fire years ago and lost so many photos and
sheet music and also a collection of a few years of the Beano that my
young son had kept immaculately.
Temprance

Lesley Robertson...

You should download as many demos as you can and try them - we all seem to
have different requirements, and software selection can, amazingly, inflame
tempers. That said, I use Family Tree Maker for several reasons. It does not
automatically write to the cd burner, but it does automatically backup to
the hard disc every time it's turned off. I then use my normal DVD burning
software to include the file on a backup disc.
Lesley Robertson