Simple 4-Step Method for Making Genealogy Binders

Binders are a great tool for organizing and sharing family history research. In this video we'll walk you through a simple, four-step method for creating genealogy binders.
📝 Read the full article: familytreemagazine.com/organi...
TEMPLATES:
Pedigree Chart: bit.ly/3DCjKUH
Ancestor Research Worksheet: bit.ly/3f1LoAy
Personal Records Inventory Form: bit.ly/3eR16hA
Ancestor sheets from ‪@thecreativefamilyhistorian‬: www.creativefamilyhistorian.c...
Segments:
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Supplies
01:03 Preparing the Pages
02:22 Assembly
03:24 Extra Sections
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[@StaceyDanielle78]

Thanks for this. Very straight forward for us amateur genealogists 😊

[@spider46531]

I put the date for each page down in the right hand corner. I place them from the oldest to the newest date. I also highlight names on copies and other important info so it is easy to find.

[@shutterbird13]

You could save space and a page protector by putting the inventory sheet in the same page protector as the ancestor sheet. Just have them back to back.

[@cuppajoylady]

Loved this! Thank you!

[@angelahatchett4971]

Thanks! I'm going to make one.

[@Kptiger82]

Thank you, I have a folder for each surname. Some folders are 4 inches. But that includes all copies of records that I have on each person

[@suzannemcclendon]

I'm glad that I watched this video. I need to find those record inventory sheets. I'm forever re-finding records that I already have because I can't find them. My files are a wreck at the moment. Is there any reason not to put two sheets back to back in the page protectors, rather than having one sheet per protector? It seems to me, with only one document per page protector, this project is going to cost more and fewer records will fit in the binder than if each page protector held 2 documents. Thank you for this informative video!

[@familytreemagazine]

You make a good point - you can absolutely put two pages back to back in a sheet protector. Unless of course you're storing original documents using archival-grade sleeves. But we'd recommend making using copies of original documents for your binder anyway. Also, you can find our records inventory download here: familytreemagazine.com/freebie/personalrecordsinventory/

[@suzannemcclendon]

@@familytreemagazine Thank you!

[@chartelkamp6972]

Ideas for how to organize these binders if do more than the main line ancestor, like if we include other siblings or their children

[@familytreemagazine]

One idea you might consider is creating a series of binders for a single surname and organizing them either by nuclear family or by record type. For example, “SIMMONS: Census,” “SIMMONS: Naturalization Records,” “SIMMONS: Passenger Lists.” The numbering system would be more complex, but it's a system that adapts well to growth as you continue to research.

[@KarenSpencer-mw6vy]

What kind of dividers do you use and where can i buy them?

[@goldengalsclazy]

Does Family Tree Magazine sell the Family Tree Magazine binder as seen in the video?

[@familytreemagazine]

No, we unfortunately don't anymore. The one in the video is a FTM relic of sorts!

[@elizabethrapalee4942]

in the future please turn down or turn off the background music as it drowns out everything else and really is distracting

[@anitarzepeda2579]

Agreed. I was interested, but the music was not to my liking.

[@treeclimber2]

I've put binders together before. And now it makes no sense to have them. When you have thousands of ancestors binders are difficult to use as a part of organized workflow. I use one binder for the current question/project I'm working on. Everything else is individual file folders organized by date with the inventory and pedigree chart in front, filed by family. We all use an internet program and a software program and spend a great deal of time and money on our research. Why have a binder which only adds more work and no organizational payoff?