I set this up with the following in mind:
1) I want to find the record again!!!
2) I want my current immediate family members to find the record (my
minor children also work on genealogy with me)
3) I want my children to be able to identify a needed record when they
are no longer living at home. I'll email them an updated list from time
to time.
4) I sometimes teach genealogy classes. This chart can help me identify
records for a particular time period, type, or locality to prepare a
class.
5) I have been known to assist my children in sneaking actual genealogy
records into their history assignments. They can move around Excel readily.
6) Eventually, my records may be shared with others.
Therefore, for me, this chart is not a replacement for sourcing
records. It is a filing & locating again method. I came up with it
when I realized that naming digital files was waaaaaaayyy too cumbersome
when I included everything that I wanted. Then I realized that it would
work equally well for my paper files. Paper records go into binders in
numerical order due to previous mishaps when moving. (My file folders
were dumped into larger boxes by movers!)
The rows at the top of the Excel spreadsheet currently include the
following:
# this is assigned in the order that I touch the record (similar
to RIN assignments by the computer)
P/D paper or digital; I currently have some of each; another goal is
to have both paper an digital eventually
class topic this is the title for which I've used this record
previously
rec type vital records, Bible, cenus, etc.
country
state
county
city
Surname
Maiden name even if the maiden name is not on this record, I include
known maiden names here so I can search on that field
Given name
year year of record
1700's 1800's 1900's these columns are to identify possible
records for a class since some record years might give clues to a
different period (i.e.: 1900 census shows 1880-1900 birth info for those
still living); I put an "X" in the appropriate column
The flexibility of Excel makes this easy to filter or sort however I
like, rearrange the columns, etc. On records such as census, I will
enter the head of household, then copy & paste that line to change the
name info. The Excel file is also easy to send to my adult child when
she is preparing a genealogy class.
Like getting started with inputting genealogy, this takes time. Yes, it
overlaps features in Legacy, but it works for me.
Dawn
Jim Keener wrote:
Dawn,
Would you be kind enough to elaborate on how you set up your Excel
files? I use the MRIN system, and I would very much like to see how
your Excel files work.
Thanks,
Jim
On 9/1/07, Dawn Crowley <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
wrote:
This has been discussed quite a bit in the past. Check out the
archives. You may also find the following links helpful:
http://www.fileyourpapers.com/index.html
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/organization/a/filing_systems.htm
<http://genealogy.about.com/cs/organization/a/filing_systems.htm>
http://www.cyndislist.com/organize.htm
Personally, I use to file by MRIN. After some computer problems, I
ended up with new MRINs. Not good. Now I'm beginning to assign a
number to a document and post descriptive info into an Excel file so I
can easily search to find a doc by location, year, type, given name,
surname, etc. I am also starting to move from general notes
(i.e.: DOS
PAF) to source, events, & notes. The source includes a file ID
where I
can put my assigned document number.
Dawn
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