Week 2 (Jan 10-16) FINALLY: Get Organized
This week's checklist is a bit more involved.....oh, but it feels so good to be moving forward in organization!
- Backup data--essential action for preservation-----records, documents, letters, photos......treasures all!
- Decide upon a Genealogy Management Program
- Starting with myself, enter the personal data into my Genealogy Management Program for 4 generations going backward, beginning with me
- Begin a 3-ring Binder for my maiden name--
Tabs (marked and put into binder) for each of the 4 generations
Print out Family Group Sheet for each of the generations and put in proper place in binder
Scan and file photos and documents relating to each of the 4 generations, put original copies into archival safe sheet protectors and put into binder in proper tab
Create an "Introduction" for "those that follow"---explaining my filing system, both physical and digital.....list the Genealogy Programs that I am using, plus any files that contain family history, also any databases that I use for the same.
Explain that all the photos and documents are attached to the Genealogy Program
5. Consider leaving a copy of this intro with a trusted relative or atty, that includes the password to my computer/laptop
6. Consider adding a Genealogy Codicil to our Will
Having a workable backup plan for our photos and data is essential. . . . . I like the 3-2-1 Backup Plan. This plan suggests that you have 3 copies of your files, photos, etc.; 2 of those sources will be local (on-site) and 1 will be off-site (such as cloud-based). My photos and documents are stored on an external hard drive that I keep attached to my laptop most of the time, and are also stored on MyCloud, a personal storage cloud that resides in our trailer. The off-site storage for our files is e-drive, a cloud-based storage company.
Another aspect of backing up one's information is frequency. I prefer to follow the pattern of a multitude of genealogists and family historians, and backup at the first of the month. I have a reminder set on my calendar that syncs with my devices for the 1st of each month---BACKUP!
Another tool that I use for backing up files, and sharing, are flash drives.......fabulous little gadgets!
Scan and file photos and documents relating to each of the 4 generations, put original copies into archival safe sheet protectors and put into binder in proper tab
Create an "Introduction" for "those that follow"---explaining my filing system, both physical and digital.....list the Genealogy Programs that I am using, plus any files that contain family history, also any databases that I use for the same.
Explain that all the photos and documents are attached to the Genealogy Program
5. Consider leaving a copy of this intro with a trusted relative or atty, that includes the password to my computer/laptop
6. Consider adding a Genealogy Codicil to our Will
--WHEW--
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| e-drive on the computer, and flash drives at the ready..... |
BACKING UP MY DATA
Another aspect of backing up one's information is frequency. I prefer to follow the pattern of a multitude of genealogists and family historians, and backup at the first of the month. I have a reminder set on my calendar that syncs with my devices for the 1st of each month---BACKUP!
Another tool that I use for backing up files, and sharing, are flash drives.......fabulous little gadgets!
CHOOSING A GENEALOGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
I have been using Family Tree Maker for several years, and enjoy it. I realize that the decision has been made by Ancestry.com not to go forward with this software. I will continue to use the software for the time being. A few months ago, before the announcement of Family Tree Maker being discontinued, I downloaded the full Legacy Program. There are several things that I like about Legacy, and I have been using it to "clean up" my family tree. So, going forward, I will be using both programs, from the ground up with Legacy, and building upon what I have with Family Tree Maker.
ENTER PERSONAL DATA FOR 4 GENERATIONS INTO GENEALOGY PROGRAM
I am using the Legacy program to do this...... This will ensure that I have the pertinent information added and that it is current. Deciding on which photos will be added is difficult, plus an on-going ritual. There is source documenting that needs to be completed as well for a few items. I have each of the 4 generations near completion.
BEGIN A 3-RING BINDER FOR MY SURNAME
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| The sunset highlighted this tree so beautifully! |
BEGIN A 3-RING BINDER FOR MY SURNAME
One of my goals that I hope to accomplish
with "Get Organized," is to free up some
space, and some weight--paper equals
weight and space in our 5th Wheel!
So, my 3 Ring Binder will be of a digital sort.
Right now, I have digital surname folders that I use as "binders." They reside in a folder named FAMILY HISTORY on my external hard drive. As I do research
on a family member, a folder is created for that person in
the appropriate surname folder, and all applicable files,
documents and photos go into their folder. I also have a
Vital Records folder in the Family History folder for quick access to birth, marriage, death, deed, divorce, etc records.
I do keep some essential documentation in paper, such as vital records, and some special items (such as military service records) and have safe off-site storage for them. I need to put these into archival safe sheet protectors, and a new archival safe box.
This week I will be working on my "Introduction" to my filing system. Each of our adult children will be keepers of this paperwork.
It has been a beautiful day here in Texas......I hope that each of you had a bit
of sunshine in your day as well!
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