Genealogy Chat

I file mine in surname order (male surname if it's a marriage), then forename order, then date.

I keep a spreadsheet on the front of the file listing them all so it's easy to spot the female partners of the marriages ... and the spreadsheet also serves as a reminder to put them onto that FreeBDM site and tick them off when I've done so. Also room to add who I've sent copies to - usually my second cousin!

Jill

Thankyou rootgatherer, I will give this a try and see how i go. Im getting into a muddle at the moment and dont want to go further unless i get the paper work right. :-)

The easy way to file material is to give each piece a unique reference number. In the case of English Statutory certificates, I just use the number on the certificate. All Scottish Statutory Entries have a unique number if you use the year, district number and entry number prefixed with a "B" for births, "M" for marriages and "D" for deaths. For census records you can use the census references. I have a card index system with a card for each person on my tree on which I put the reference numbers for their birth, any marriages and deaths. I can also put the reference for each census that they appear on. This works well as marriage certificates apply to both the bride and groom and of course one census record is recorded on all the cards for the members of the family that appear on it.

Although it may appear very time consuming it means that all the material that you have gathered can be filed either alphabetically or numerically depending on the numbering system you choose. Divorce records, newspaper articles, photographs etc. can all be numbered then recorded on the relevant index card.

I use family tree maker software and it is quite easy to attach the references that I have allocated to certificates etc. so that a printout of a Family Group Record will show the reference and I can go to my files and see the original source of the information.

Mine are scanned. Originals go into Cert sized ring binder in chronological order within family group.

Thanks everyone, :) now i have a heap of things that i can do. :-)

Thanks everyone, :) now i have a heap of things that i can do.

I keep mine in plastic wallets in ring binders of different colours,
ie.
Blue ( for new).... Births
Red ( for Wed)......Marriages
Black......................Deaths
Green.....................Wills

Within each folder they are filed alphabetically by first name, in date order.

We all gradually devise a system that works for us individually and so as long as you know where to find each record, do what suits you.

Gwyn

I scan them all, then file the paper ones in order of acquisition under "my socks" in a bedroom drawer. It's a lot easier to attach files to an email to my cousins then send xeroxs to the UK by post.

Just a reminder, if using plastic wallets, to buy the 'acid-free' ones.

thankyou GlitterBaby, i will try the 3 sections and see if it makes it easier for me.

Everyone will be different

I put mine into 3 section -births, marriages and deaths - then by date order

But having said that my Scottish ones are in surname order

Hi everyone, Is there a way in which i should put my bdm certificates in order. ie: under surnames and should they be in order of linage and whats the best way to log the information? Sharon