What are your must-have genealogy books or organizing tools?

Question

Please share. I have been researching at the library since I was 12, heavily researching online/etc. since 1999. I don't need "beginning" books or anything for amateurs. Most of my research is of French-Canadians from Quebec and northern NY state. I do like to keep organized.

Thanks everyone so far. I have been using binders (with the clear covers to slip in title pages) and the clear page protectors for years. I have them for all major family groups. I also have hanging file folders, sorted by marriage, containing the individuals and unmarried children. Once a child gets married, they go to their own folder.

I separate my family hanging files by the ethnicity of the husband's last name, even if that ethnic group is only a small part of him. I am only dealing with Italian, French, German, Native American, Basque, Iranian, Polish, English and Scottish between myself, my husband and my daughter so until I get a bigger filing cabinet where they will go alphabetically this is how I do it. Due to years of research and studying ethnic groups, I am pretty good at identifying the ethnic group of one's surname once I see it.

As for the software, I use Legacy to manage my tree and have tried all others and still prefer this one. FT Magazine recommends #1 it too!

Answer 1

Hi
This page


http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp


was very helpful for me


jane

Answer 2

My favorite is many 3 ring binders (I grab them quick at yard sales). If I buy any, I now get the binders that you can slip a paper into the front cover. The "front page" is a 4 gen pedigree chart as an index FOR A GIVEN PERSON, with 8 tab dividers (one for each gr grandparent on the chart). Behind the dividers, then I put the family group sheet(s). An alternative (if searching one surname or etc in depth) is maintaining a fgs sheet for a person, or it might be simply a page for notes. ALL OF THE SHEETS have the first/last name at the upper right corner, and I try to keep them in alphabetical order. After losing info in one computer crash.. I never let go of the papers, even if they don't make it to being entered in the computer. Which explains why I have (2) 4 drawer filing cabinets and at least plastic crates, the kind that will use pendaflex hanging files.
Of course, even having such a system, does not mean that I actually use and keep up with it. *grin* Let's be honest here. My goal (now) is to scan many of the documents onto the computer. Probably biting off more than I can ever finish.
I like seeing that you are proof that genealogy is not limited to the old ladies.
And I would be delighted if you should stumble on parents for Clemenceau Dauphine, who is believed born in Trois Rivieres in about 1838 or so.

Answer 3

I bought a book called unpuzzling your past by Emily Croom. She takes you step by step. I have used this book for over 15 yrs. It's helped me get thru some brick walls.

I have taken each family line and put them in a 3 ring binder with page protectors for certificates. It makes it easier to take with me when I go some place to research.

I also have a file cabinet with folders for each family line for items I don't put in the book or that are to big for the book.

I also use family treemaker for all my info. Then I burn a cd to back it up.

Answer 4

initiate with a e book save or a library, I used to reserve the sparkling varieties, notwithstanding that's been see you later i don't remember, yet a good e book to join is named The kin tree Helper, that's slightly expensive yet properly unquestionably worth the fee. it would desire to be referred to as The genealogical Helper, look it up on the internet , and you're able to get some links from that. i think of they submit 6 magazines a 365 days yet while it arrives you wont be waiting to place it down till you have complete all of it.

Answer 5

I'm a newbie, compared to you, but I've noticed that every genealogist, pro or amateur, has their own unique method of
organization.

Must have books: Grandma's diary and a Blauvelt genealogy. The rest are CDs or public domain in folders on my hard drive. All general books about genealogy I have read and returned to the library.

Must have tools: My computer, my printer, boxes to file print-outs, and my pool table. I need to see trees, which means I lay them out on the pool table because they're getting so big.

Gimme a glass of wine, a computer, and a pool table, and I'm ready to explore.

Have fun!

Answer 6

My mom does geneology too! She puts all of her stuff in a big binder and puts the papers in those clear folders so you can see them.

Answer 7

The program Personal Ancestral File may be helpful and it can be found at http://www.familysearch.org/paf.

http://www.familysearch.org/ go here to read about it.

It will help you organize your information and it is fairly easy to use. There are other programs but this one you can download at no cost .