Keep a Research Log

From the moment you start searching for information it is important to have a method to track the sources and information you find.

If you don't you will probably find that you look in the same sources more than once. It happened to me repeatedly when I first got started. I was searching so many different places, but many of them sent me to the same primary source.

A research log is a form  that will be specific for one person, and you will write every source you look at for a particular person. Write the library call number or microfilm reel number. Write the name of a book, the location, etc.

You think you will remember what we looked at, but as we get deeper and deeper into a project, it becomes hard to remember all the sources.

Always carry your research logs with you, even if you think you are only going to just research on one person.  It seems like inevitably, you find information about other relatives - and you need a place to record that information.

Another option that someone suggested was to write a person's info on the front of an index card, and tuck it in your pocket to take with you.  Record all sources searched on the back of the card.

This sounded like a great idea, so I tried to get creative and use all pink cards for ancestors on my mom's side, and all blue for those on my dad's side.

I found them too small to record everything I needed, and they were too easy to lose so it was back to the Research Log.  Be sure to make many copies of the log so that you have one for each person you will be searching for information.

Saturday Shop ... Supplies

Like many we work all week and only have Saturdays to do the shopping. I can see that this family history search project that I am starting on will need a few more supplies.  So, today I bought some hanging file folders and some tote bins to start keeping everything organized.

Saturday Shop ... Back to School

Many friends are in a flurry of last minute shopping to get their kids ready to start school  on Monday.  It is a perfect time for you to stock up what you need to get started on family history.  School supplies are usually really inexpensive at this time of year.

Here is a checklist of supplies to get you started:

• black ink pens and pencils
• blank paper or index cards for recording information
• file or archival folders
• filing cabinet or storage boxes
• loose-leaf binders and notebooks (avoid spiral notebooks)
• dividers or index tabs
• blank pedigree charts, family group sheets, correspondence and research logs
• colored labels (optional)
• digital camera

You don't need to wait till you have everything on the list - just let the desire burn in your heart, and do something towards your family and personal history.

Labeling my File Folders

I am still  trying to figure out just how I want to start labeling my folders.

My personality wants them all typed on labels with an interesting font...but then I am too committed. . .           So, I will actually start with a pencil and set up a file folder for my great-grandfather James Stevenson McMurray(the father of Caroline McMurray, my grandmother).  I also have information on his parents so I will set up a file for them also. 


Everyone I have talked to has a different slant to the way they want their files named . . . so that tells me there is no right or wrong way. By starting in pencil I can easily change my system if I decide to.

I am using plain manila files, but imaging how pretty it would look to have different colors, and use a certain color for the different lines on your pedigree chart. I love color coding, so maybe after a while I will change to colored folders - I will let you know.

Filing by Couple or Family Group

• every couple on your pedigree chart gets a file folder
• label the folder with the names of the couple (wife's maiden name)
• list names of the couple's children on the outside for the file folder for quick reference
• if a child is married, make a file folder for that marriage

Filing by Surname and Type of Record

• create file folders for surname/record type combination's
• label folders with surname, followed by the type of record, e.g., Davies: Obituaries or Davies: Census Records
• arrange file folders alphabetically by surname then alphabetically by type of record

Paperclips or Staples?

Neither, if they are metal they will rust over time and ruin your documents.

Try to get the plastic coated paperclips.  

File Folders

I am tying to follow my own advice...and define my goal.

I have some ideas for my first quest, but they are still milling around in my mind.


By Saturday I will be ready to put my goal down on paper.

Today, I got some file folders. Couldn't decide whether to go with legal or letter size so I bought a box of each.  My rationale was that since many of the pages of genealogy (that I recently inherited) are on legal size paper I wanted to be able to store them well...but for ease in working I want to have letter size info that I can print easily off the computer.