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How to file your paper-based research

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Eloise

Eloise Report 22 Apr 2008 13:00

I have a lever arch full of paper-based notes and print outs. I want to keep them in case something (God forbid) should happen to my electronic folder. I couldn't bear losing everything.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on how I could sort the information. I thought about index cards, noting one individual per card, but at last count I had over 1200 people in my tree, so it would take me a lifetime to organise this type of filing system. I then divided things up into surnames, but I have more than 200 surnames! I also have a few certificates that I would like to incorporate in my filing, but I don't know whether to keep them together, or separate into surnames / places / eras.

Has anyone filed their research, and how have you done it?

Thanks in advance.

Researching:
FIFIELD, REDHEAD, SALTER, ESLICK, BLANCHE, BAEYENS, WALRAVENS, WIJNS, BROOKS, RICHARDSON, HATFIELD, UNICUME, LARA, CRESPO, BRUNNER, GASSER

Sam

Sam Report 22 Apr 2008 13:15

I have four main folders, one each for my four grandparent's families. In this, I have filed by generation, starting with a family group sheet at the front, then census records, any certificates for that family and then any other info I have got for that particular family. Then the same again for the next generation and so on.

I also have document wallet full of paper and stuff that are part of my family indirectly and that I have yet to decide where to file, like children of sisters of my g-grandmother, I have all the details and census info for them but I don't think they really belong in my 'main' folders - mayb e I need some more!

I also tried the index card system which worked well at first but I now have almost 2000 people in my tree and would be bogged down with bits of card and filing boxes!

Sam x

Devon Dweller

Devon Dweller Report 22 Apr 2008 13:50

I have folders for each family unit or line (depending on how much info I have) with plastic sleeves so that I can add anything any everything I find .....certificates, census details, photos, bits of information.