Joshua, What a good explanation of the filing systems. I use the surname/locality/sequential number way. I cross reference each of the documents to all the individuals mentioned in the document. Not a big deal, just type it for one person, do ctrl A, ctrl C, and ctrl V for those the document references. If I should have SMITH WI 5 and it also involves John Smith then at the top of the general notes where I have the REFERENCE LOG I would put: SMITH WI 5 Death Certificate for John Smith. He could have any number of surname documents referenced to him. No need for copies of a document with the cross reference. On the Location problem. I keep my documents in sheet protectors in a binder or binders with a surname on the spine. I can look at the binders on the shelf and pick the one I want. Just the way my brain works. No need for multiple copies of anything. I am not into redundancy or multiple anything but back ups of my Legacy data.
Thanks for taking the time to do a review to the various filing systems. It is a good one. Ann New Mexico, USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joshua Griffen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 9:44 AM Subject: RE: [LegacyUG] Filing Systems > 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 > > > Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE research > trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of Legacy 6 > Deluxe. Enter online at http://legacyfamilytree.com/FreeTrip.asp > > Legacy User Group guidelines can be found at: > http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp > > To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/ > > For online technical support, please visit > http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Help.asp > > To unsubscribe please visit: > http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp > Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE research trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of Legacy 6 Deluxe. Enter online at http://legacyfamilytree.com/FreeTrip.asp Legacy User Group guidelines can be found at: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/ For online technical support, please visit http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Help.asp To unsubscribe please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp
