Introduction

Step 1
What You Know

Step 2
Interview and Gather

Step 3
Examine Documents

Step 4
Create an Organizational Plan

Step 5
Arm Yourself

Step 6
Ready to Reach Out

Step 7
The Journey Begins

Step 8
Genealogy Sources

Step 10
Your Ancestors Await You

Step 4 - Create an Organizational Plan

Genealogists amass paper. Lots of paper: Birth records, death records, census records, wills, newspaper articles, social security applications, letters, photographs ... the list goes on and on. Your challenge is to develop a filing system that will enable you to locate any document for any ancestor within minutes. You will also want a filing system that is flexible, one that will grow as your family tree grows.

At this early stage of your research, your paper pile is most likely small. It's not too early to begin organizing what you have into folders and begin working toward an organizational filing plan. Gather together all of the documents and papers collected thus far. Begin first by separating the papers by the surname each document relates to, placing each in a separate pile. Your research thus far might be related to just one surname, or you may have information on more than one. If you have information on more than one surname, it is possible that your piles vary greatly in size.

Next, take one of your surname piles. It may be that you have just a few papers for your Smith family. Place them in a manilla file folder and write the name "Smith" on the label. Undoubtedly you will soon find more information on this line and can expand your filing system to accommodate the new information as it arrives. But for now, one folder works.

Next, take another of your surname piles. Perhaps you have quite a bit of information on your Jones line. Separate the papers by either location or generation, whichever makes the most sense considering the documents you see before you. Break your Jones research into several file folders, labeling each with the "Jones" surname as well as the geographic location or generation contained in each folder.

This is a very simple filing system and one you will adapt and modify as your research continues. The important thing to remember is to separate your papers into meaningful categories, place them in folders, and label them so you know what is in the folder.

There are several excellent books about organizing genealogy files. Purchasing one at this early stage in your research process is an excellent idea. Paper can quickly overwhelm genealogists. You will want to arm yourself with ideas and options for dealing with the paper piles:

Organizing Your Family History Search
The Organized Family Historian

 

Continue with Step 5 - Arm Yourself