ENG-SHEFFIELD-L Archives

Archiver > ENG-SHEFFIELD > 2003-09 > 1062760340


From: "Richard Ellis" <>
Subject: [SHEFF] Storage Files and Archives
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2003 12:12:20 +0100


Hello Listers

I have been following this correspondence with interest!
Little did I know what I was letting myself in for 7 years ago, when
starting
to research "my family history"!!!

After attending a adult education course on family history, the research
started with my own parents, and then later to my wife's parents, so that's
4 sets of records each requiring their own separate family tree, and also
some separate grandparents family trees and so on....

>From the basic BMD information - still very incomplete, via LDS
and Family History centre- one moves on to life stories, and then to
background historical information on their living conditions,
trudging through graveyards in the pouring rain, squinting at barely
legible fiche and film, and those visits to research centres, WW1 tours.

All this information generates large data files. I started and have
persevered
with Family Tree Maker - updated version - to record family trees and
much of the personal life stories. However I still haven't added photos etc
nor figured out how to reduce those "wallpaper sized" A4 page combinations
which show basic BMD, occupation(s),homes etc for each family member in
their
"box"

I also have spread sheets for some but not all these families. Their names
are recorded down in the first column, whilst across the top ( the first
row)
are spaces for christian names(2), maiden name and surname(s), place
and date of birth, place and date of marriage, occupation(s), census dates
and places, place and date of death,inc grave reference. Extra spaces are
there for other information.
I inherited this spread sheet format from a fellow researcher who is now
a dear friend - maybe of use to any newbies?

I too have some 2 ringed hardback file binders, in which there are plenty
of A$ size transparent files to slip in photos, certificates and cuttings
There's one for each of the 4 parent's families.

In addition I keep wallet files for each part family, plus extra files for
source material references..as well as trying to archive the collection of
email correspondence over the years.

I also have spiral bound notebooks of my original handwritten records
retrieved and draft family trees, contact notes and so on.
They are in chronological order - I have been too lazy/thoughtless to
divide them into families at the start...so need to either copy key
bits or trawl through looking for missing bits. A salutary lesson in
how not to file!

Unexpectedly I have discovered some illustrious ancestors - who have
appeared in local "town" books, and had a book devoted to one person -
so can't "file" these finds anywhere - apart from bookcase.

One puts up with the irritation of sometimes tedious filing/recording
for the pleasure of the unending discoveries.

Hope this is of interest/help to someone

Richard in Surrey (England)


This thread: