Thought I'd chime in on the Filing Systems thread. As near as I can tell from my research in to various systems, there seems to be three generalized systems based on the primary categorization. The first system is by Surname, the second by Location, and the third by Source type (pardon me if there are others - I haven't seen them, yet). Each document would get a sequential number in each file; i.e. SMITH-001, SMITH-002 or BIRTHCERT-001, BIRTHCERT-002, etc. Some systems involve sub-categories under each main category such as a main file for each Surname with a sub-file under each Surname by Location or by Source. Each document would then get a sequential number in each sub-category; i.e. SMITH-NY-001, SMITH-NY-001 ... SMITH-PA-001, SMITH-PA-002, etc. The MRIN-based system is an offshoot of the Surname system, but it is based on a number assigned by the software to each marriage rather than by a number assigned to each document by the user. All the systems have their pros and cons: "Surname system": Easy to find a particular set of documents for a particular line you are researching at that time, but you usually end up needing multiple copies of documents when they address more than one Surname. "Location system": If you travel a lot to undertake genealogical research, you only need to bring the folder for that particular location and you are good to go, but then your records for various surnames are spread out in different Location files. "Source Type system": No need to copy documents for multiple Surnames and makes logical sense (at least to me) that documents would be organized by type of document rather than by contents of document, but cannot easily locate all records for a particular Surname or Location. MRIN system: Similar to Surname system. Additional problem is if MRIN numbering gets messed up in software - the system falls apart. I use the Source Type system, myself. I can use the software to make a list of all documents for a particular Surname or Location if needed. I don't travel enough to warrant using the Location system and I don't like the idea of having more than one copy of documents in the Surname system overflowing my files. Again, which one you use is all based on your methods of research, available storage space, and personal taste. Hope this helps. Joshua Griffen Ojai, CA
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