LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-L Archives

From: "Dick Matteson" <>
Subject: Survey- Record Keeping
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 17:02:44 -0400

Hi! my "answers" are as follows:

1. What computer programs do you use to store your information?
Well, I started with PAF and Roots II in 1985. All went well until Roots
III hove into view! I experienced a steep learning situation which I
almost conquered (bemoning program text writers and their non-understanding
of US out there!). Then I found Family Tree (pretty easy to use); Brother's
Keeper (not intuitive for my "inductive" bent); Family Origins (easy to
use and most like my thought patterns); and a few years ago, TMG( a little
difficult but I agree with the freedom principle- freedom to create almost
any infra system I wanted). Now I have Visual Roots loaded into my new
Windows 95 system (32 mb RAM. pentium 133 ,17 inch screen which I really
use almost all of and love having for graphics, etc. ) Now I expect to
store data of all kinds, pictures of all kinds, and sounds and video os all
kinds (just need time to learn exactly HOW!). I have ordered the new
Ultimate roots program and believe I will like it too!! I store copies of
all my work at various stages on the above programs - as backups and as
ways to make direct contact with others who own those programs by gedcom or
whole files.

2. Do you use any other programs to store or record information?
Yes. I have used (somewhat) Sesame and use a data base for genealogical
contacts and two databases for my main families (mother and father) where I
rigidly control fields for retrieval reasons.

3. What programs do you use to Communicate with others?
I use IDT for e-mail and Internet searching < >
I use Prodigy for some lists and e-mail. < >
I use AOL for genealogical lists and board (cheap ver.) <
>
I still have a "classic" account on Prodigy for Genealogy groups (a lot
of old friends from the 1987s and on!) < >
I have a Juno account (fast-easy-dependable-free!) <
>

4. Describe your record keeping system (include, if any, number assignment
proceedures and types of catagories used, along with special "piles", if
any.)
Yessss. well, sure... I began with a pleated accordianfolder which
lasted one week. So, then standing folders , more standing folders and
filing cabinets and more and more. I had to change from folders with family
names to folders with family and GIVEN names and color coded (using three
bright dots which allow many varients and can be found really quickly.)
A family meeting was called to downright limit my use of every flat space
in house to sift and sort and prepare answers to queries! I now have only
one room and one corner to defile.(enfile?) I do use numbering schema for
databases but I seem to need several secretaries and filers and coders in
order to handle the mass of stuff that occurs so from the Computer and
Scanner to the standing files (well, ok, laying files too) I can easily
create a half foot in one week - pictures, notes, pedigrees (marked and
noted) photos, receving materials from others, preparing material from my
copier to go to others and often having to pre-file unfinished work untill
I can find exactly what I KNOW I have (well, ok, think I have).

5. Oops, I forgot the Scanner question so: Yes I just got a Mustec 800
IIsp and it works very nicely but I have 5 different Programs to use for
"gussying" up (is there such a word?) what I scan - Programs like
iPhoto Plus, Paint Shop Pro, Text Bridge Classic( text scanning),
Micrografx Picture Publisher, and several I don't even remember the name
of. Friends each support a different one! Oh woe is me!

Dick Matteson College Park MD

ps. you perhaps think I am spending too much money one hardware, software,
communications servers, and paper and electric energy and too much time on
genealogy? Yep! That is so, but I am focused...(well, ok, I try)

This thread:

• Survey- Record Keeping by "Dick Matteson" <>