How to organize geneology info--help, please

[Chelle in MO]

My dad has a lot of family history info that he would like to have organized somehow. It's currently random papers in boxes.

 

What are some ways I could do this (or pay someone to do it) for him? Are there websites that you can pay to store organized info like this online? 

 

I don't even know where to start!

 

Thanks in advance for any ideas/thoughts!

[kubiac]

You need to input it into a genealogy program. It's not a quick project. Once you have it in a computer program, you can export it in GEDCOM format and upload to the LDS database or Rootsweb/Ancestry.

 

If you use Macintosh computers, I recommend the Reunion program from LeisterPro. It's very well-designed and can support you through the process.

 

Good luck!

[Chelle in MO]

Can I hire you???  You speak a different language than I do!   :lol:

 

I really appreciate your reply and will run it by dh.

 

Thank you!

[scoutingmom]

There are free genealogy programs. Legacy is an excellent one if you use Windows. The basic version is free. It supports Gedcom (as almost any genealogy program will.)

 

It would probably cosg a fair bit to get someone to enter it. I have done that type of thing a couple of times, but it does take a lot of time.

 

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[Chelle in MO]

Thank you, scoutingmom!  I'll look into it.

[elegantlion]

For the papers in boxes, I used a large file box and made folders alphabetized by last name. 

[NotSoObvious]

What Kubiac said.

 

Also, The Container Store sells special containers for preserving old documents and photos. I spent about $100 and got more than enough acid-free everything to organize several boxes of stuff.

 

And my last piece of advice: SCAN EVERYTHING!!! If you do nothing else, please spend a weekend scanning and saving every piece of what you have. Save the files as a label for what that document is. Then put everything you scan on a DVD or a memory stick and send one to every family member, as many as you can afford. 

 

I've been going our genealogy and so many things have been lost over the years. My grandpa had a file that just sat in his office for decades. It turns out he was in possession of an 1816 will that has been the key to many, many family trees.

 

Have fun! 

[Baseball mom]

Dh's dad used a big 3 ring binder, page protectors and tabbed dividers.  Maybe not the best way but it is all together, organized and can be flipped through.  Works for him.

[Forget-Me-Not]

I have friends and family who are heavily into genealogy and three-ring binders with page protectors seem to be popular.

 

You can make an appointment at your local LDS family history library to talk to someone and have them walk you through the process too. You don't need to be LDS to use the service :)

[scoutingmom]

Here is a good suggestion for filing the papers  http://www.genrootsorganizer.com/

[Chelle in MO]

Thank you so much for all the thoughts/ideas!  I'll look through them and see what seems doable.

[gardenmom5]

There are free genealogy programs. Legacy is an excellent one if you use Windows. The basic version is free. It supports Gedcom (as almost any genealogy program will.)

 

It would probably cosg a fair bit to get someone to enter it. I have done that type of thing a couple of times, but it does take a lot of time.

 

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk

 

I'd be surprised if there is a genealogy program that doesn't support GEDCOM.  whatever you use - it would be a waste of your time to input if it doesn't support gedcom.

 

Dh's dad used a big 3 ring binder, page protectors and tabbed dividers.  Maybe not the best way but it is all together, organized and can be flipped through.  Works for him.

this is a fairly standard method for paper documents.

 

divided by person, last name, first name, birth year

have an order to the documents, then use that for each person.  have a cover sheet for each person with a document checklist so you know what you have for each person.

do have pedigree charts in an easy access place so you can have a quick reference for what person you're looking for.

 

I also scan documents I've gotten elsewhere, into ancestry (you can easily share files back and forth between ancestry, legacy, and LDS family search.)

I have scanned files on my computer organized by birth certificates, marriage certificates, military records (draft cards can be a bonanza) photo's, etc.  all with the person's last name (married name too if applicable.) and birth year.

Edited March 6, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Chelle in MO]

I'd be surprised if there is a genealogy program that doesn't support GEDCOM.  whatever you use - it would be a waste of your time to input if it doesn't support gedcom.

 

this is a fairly standard method for paper documents.

 

divided by person, last name, first name, birth year

have an order to the documents, then use that for each person.  have a cover sheet for each person with a document checklist so you know what you have for each person.

do have pedigree charts in an easy access place so you can have a quick reference for what person you're looking for.

 

I also scan documents I've gotten elsewhere, into ancestry (you can easily share files back and forth between ancestry, legacy, and LDS family search.)

I have scanned files on my computer organized by birth certificates, marriage certificates, military records (draft cards can be a bonanza) photo's, etc.  all with the person's last name (married name too if applicable.) and birth year.

 

:svengo: I'm starting to think my dad picked the wrong kid to ask for help with this!  This is SO not my thing!  :tongue_smilie:

 

Thank you for replying!

[gardenmom5]

:svengo: I'm starting to think my dad picked the wrong kid to ask for help with this!  This is SO not my thing!  :tongue_smilie:

 

Thank you for replying!

 

it has a learning curve - but it can be addicting.  if you're dealing with paper documents, you can focus on standard methods of file/information organization

[scoutingmom]

 

 

this is a fairly standard method for paper documents.

 

divided by person, last name, first name, birth year

have an order to the documents, then use that for each person. have a cover sheet for each person with a document checklist so you know what you have for each person.

do have pedigree charts in an easy access place so you can have a quick reference for what person you're looking for.

 

 

That is one common way. Another common way is by each family unit having a file because many records are family based. That includes the colour coded method I used above. I have used this method.

 

A third common method is to file by record type numerically in order by when you get or enter them. This requires a index though - generally using a program like Clooz. This greatly reduces the amount of paper as only one copy is ever required. I have used that method successfully.

 

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[history-fan]

Organizing the information is an ongoing "thing".

I have done family history for most my life and inherited all my parents info. They were the family historians for each of their families.

So I have carts, files, online data and more.

 

To start with I would suggest a cart. I have used an eight drawer plastic cart with removable drawers and its on wheels.

 

Each family branch can have its own drawer. Then you can sort the papers and photos or other memorabilia that you may get into the right family drawer.

 

Once  the info is sorted you may get more of an idea of what would work for your family. 

 

I have all the online stuff, yet I notice that for now my kids like looking at books.  They actually helped me do- photo books, like shutterfly, and included info that tells a story with photos so they can see their family history. 

 

You can check with your local history museum-historical society , many of them have genealogy groups and people working there that are extremely helpful. In my state most counties have one. If you want to hire someone they may have references. 

 

Most of all have fun. 

If your Dad  and kids can be involved with you, you may learn more family stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chelle in MO]

You guys are so kind and helpful!  Thank you!

 

It's becoming clear that this is beyond my time limits right now. I'll think I'll at least go over and check out what he has, and then I can think about seeing if there's someone he can hire to help him sort it out and put it in some meaningful format.