Tips For Organizing Your Family History Records | Ancestry

[@nedranichols2906]

All of my docs are saved on an external hard drive. I have a main Genealogy File. In there, I have folders A-Z. In those, I have folders of last names. In the last name folders, there are two more folders 'Family Sheets' and 'Media'. I type up a family sheet for each person with everything I found on that individual. I save it in the 'Family Sheets' folder using their first & middle names, year of birth & death, and a 'Root' letter. I use my grandparents as my 'Roots'. (ie Charles Warren Archer is attached to the Blossom family so his would be 'Charles Warren (1828-1878)B'). In the media folder, each person has their own folder (using the same title as the Family Sheet). I save everything directly to their media folders so I don't have to hunt for it later or try to remember what I called it. Women are always saved under their maiden names. I use their family sheets to see who they were married to.

[@mivey64]

I've decided I don't really like this kind of system. I've set up my "Digital Family Archive" in Microsoft Access. I can click on a name and do a "Query" and have all documents on that individual pop up. Also, I can put down a more DETAILED source of where and when I received the document or photo (person or headstone, etc..), and add more info about the document or photo itself. It took a while to learn and create in Access but now I'm finding it was all worth it.

[@danny4u2]

I don't know if I would do it but if it works for you that's wonderful

[@donalddanbury4896]

I like what you have described and would like to "upgrade" my current system, which is a mess. My goal is to develop a system I can pass along to my kids without maintaining an Ancestry account forever, and that they can pick up where I left off. That means I have to save all Ancestry files to my computer in a system similar to what you have described. 1. What is a good way to take all my current research and get it organized in the new system. 2. Once the Ancestry files are organized manually into the new filing system, will FTM know where the files are on the computer. Previously, FTM would know that they originated in Ancestry.

[@AncestryUS]

Hi, Donald. Thanks for reaching out. We're so happy to hear that you have this project to share with your kids. We think Family Tree Maker is a good way to go, but we think the best thing to do is to contact them to answer those questions. Here is a link to there support. support.ancestry.com/s/article/Family-Tree-Maker-FAQ?language=en_US

[@RonJohn63]

Why use Snagit when the browser lets you save the original full-resolution jpg file?

[@kareyspirit6114]

Ann, You didn't address what you do with the hard copies you've scanned into your computer. Do you throw the hard copy out or do you have a paper filing system? And if you have a filing system what is it?

[@RonJohn63]

Karey Spirit *Never* throw anything out!!

[@dbeals55]

Great idea and suggestion! I break up by surname, but I like the people breakdown as well. Thank you!

[@greensmv]

Anne, you indicated that you created this organizing system only a few months before posting this video. Now that time as elapsed, have you found the need to modify your system?

[@greensmv]

I'd like to know the answer to that one, too. Traditionally, each folder consists of a family group (consisting of husband, wife, and children); but the naming conventions for women pre- and post-marriage make this more complicated. I'm starting to put the "Ancestry Anne" system into place, but this was the first snag. Since they're computer files, I guess that files could be duplicated under the maiden name as well as the married name, but this adds a level of complexity to the "simple system."

[@rover790]

With women, I have them filed under their maiden name until they marry, then with their husband and their children if any afterwards. I always name females with their maiden name and in the computer I include her birth year.

[@suthernbella]

Can someone do a class on the binder system? I'm good with the data. I just need the paper worked out :-)

[@lynda514]

i have a interesting situation...I have been given all my aunt's research PAPERS...in her script handwriting and documents she has sent for via "snail mail"..scotch taped and yellowing notebooks

[@mivey64]

You didn't address your filing system for females. Do you have two folders for them? One for her married name and one for her maiden name? Documents with her married name goes into both folders?

[@mariarobin8496]

This is what I would like to do. Can you tell me how to do this? I would be really appreciative.