Organizing Your Genealogy Data

When I first began researching our family history, I didn't think about how I would eventually organize the material I'd be collecting. In fact, I didn't comprehend the enormous amount of paper that would be piling up over time.

The first onslaught came after I sent out my initial inquiry to cousins, aunts and uncles. I prepared a questionnaire, requesting such information as names, dates, leads, which was then photocopied, and mailed off to the relatives, with a self addressed stamped envelope. To my delight, most of the relatives completed the questionnaire, and before I knew it, I had piles of paper to wade through. Many sent along additional information, such as copies of obits or news clippings.

Initially, I began inputting the information in the genealogy software program I'd purchased. Yet, before I knew it, I had a box full of disorganized genealogy data taking up space. Even though much of the information had been inputted into the computer program, I didn't want to discard the original questionnaires. Plus, I now had copies of newspaper clippings and photographs to store.

Before my hobby turned into a nightmare, I decided I'd better get a handle on the data, and organize it in a fashion that could be easily accessed and stored.

I went to office supply store and purchased several wide 3-ring binders, tabbed dividers, and clear, acid-free sheet protectors. My first regret was printing out the questionnaires on legal sized paper. At the time, it seemed like a good idea, as it gave me more room. Unfortunately, legal sized paper doesn't fit easily into a 3-ring binder. I eventually folded the sheets, and placed each one in a sheet protector, before including it in the album. It wasn't the perfect solution, but it worked.

I used the tabbed dividers to break the binder into different sections, such as questionnaires, birth certificates, etc. But, it wasn't long before I found the necessity to created one book for my father's family, and one for my mother's family.

I used the sheet protectors, instead of punching holes directly into the pages of data. Putting paper directly into the binder rings meant pages would eventually become torn and ragged. Slipping information into the sheet protectors made it easier to store, preserve and view. It also made it easier to store small newspaper clippings and photographs.

Once the information was organized in the binders, it made my genealogical research much easier! Of course, as my research progressed, the binders began to multiply, breaking into surnames. Today there are about fifteen binders lining my bookshelf. Each is brimming with information. And fortunately for me, the information is organized and easy to access.