When organization becomes a CATastropy!

I had big plans for organizing my papers the other day. Lay them out by surname on the pool table and then alphabetize them. Not figured into the equation was Puddin, one of my girlfriend's three cats.

Puddin joined me for the sort. He loves curling up on magazines, newspapers and anything else "tree-based."  He also found the tabs that were used to label the papers entertaining.

As a different corner was carpeted with papers, Puddin relocated. As each stack was added to, Puddin moved to it.

After about 15 minutes, I decided to gather the papers, move to a chair and sort from my lap. Slower, but more efficient. So I gather all of the papers for the move - all that is except those four piles that Puddin was still lounging on.

When organizing, beware of pets! always HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN!

Oh yeah, session one Crail family papers and A-C. Round two, D-G. Today I'm hoping for H-K and L-O.

Missing files retreived!

The 10-12 missing family file folders have been retrieved! Now the sorting ooooof documents begins.

Today is DNA Day! I had my DNA tested about 20 years ago. The reults were interesting. Either I was adopted, a parent or grandparent, etc. was adopted, or the results were out of whack! Only 12 markers were done. I've been tempted to give it another try, with more markers, just to see how the results compare.

File Organization

At last I found time to sort file folders! Although I think a few got overlooked and may be buried in my den somewhere, most are in alphabetical order and ready to be filled with additional pieces of information.

The elusive files need to be tracked down and added to the  mix.

That leaves sorting documents by family or individual and adding them to folders.

Some folders will need to be replaced and several new ones generated.

FYI: When piling folders on a bed that may be a desired place for a cat to curl up, beware of freaking out the cat. He is not used to piles of colorful folders. However, once the initial shock wears off, realize that those folders look like a good place to curl up anyway. Find something else to do until the resr period is over!

Trying to get back into regular routine

The blog has been sporadic, at best, over the past 3-4 weeks. My girlfriend had ankle surgery 4 weeks ago, so I've been looking after her. Then two weeks ago, I had cataract surgery [left eye] and this week the right eye done. Vision is still a bit wonky now and then.

So as ankles mend and eyes focus, I should be able to et back to genealogy.

The file reorganization process has ground to a temporary halt with the vision out of whack, but I should be able to get back to that over the weekend or next week.

To repeat: Those of you new to genealogy - develop a plan for organizing your deeds, photos, birth, marriage and death records, probate and pension files, articles and other information before you acquire too much information.

Who Do You Think You Are? US-UK-AU

I've been watching a lot of WDYTYA episodes from the UK and Australia on You Tube lately. The US version has really wound down and had very short seasons in recent years. The UK originated the show and seems to do a much more polished version. The Aussies do a very good job as well.

Maybe our celebs just don't have as interesting stories to tell. A few have also gotten on their political bandwagons in recent seasons.  Of course, I'm still looking forward to the new US season.

It was really interesting hearing a couple of genealogists who have worked on the show talk about how stories are selected or rejected. No secrets were given away on episodes however. Darn it!

Finding Your Roots has good episodes now and again. Episodes having a central theme and cramming three stories into an hour takes away from the really interesting stories.

The funniest thing about the Australia WDYTYA is the number of celebs that are thrilled with finding convict ancestors.

Americans don't seem to get that excited over ancestors who were indentured servants. That's as close a comparison as I can come up with. [Many of those indentured had been in prison in England.]

Give the UK and AU versions a try!

Organizing files

By no means do I feel that my organization format is at the top of the list. I started out with my format in ignorant bliss back about 1993, when I finally had enough material to warrant organizing.

Go with mine. if you like it.

Other folks use hanging file folders. Many recommend having one folder per person and a cross-referencing system for families. This generally calls for 3-4 copies of each document [his, hers and each family].

Some researchers swear by doing all of the filing on computer, similar to the one folder per person idea. That way you can back it up more easily.

If mother nature took out her wrath on me, I'd just about have to give up researching! All of that paper destroyed! I would still have my data on the computer, but the loss would be devastating!

Develop a plan or look for articles on file organization for genealogists.

Organization Advetures

Organization continues. I have a stack of papers, notes, etc. about three feet high, all meticulously labeled with post-it tags. That should work, provided the tags continue to stick to the papers!

1) My next step is to re-sort the papers by surname or topic. That should prove interesting. Some stacks will consist of one or two pages. Others may be 6-7 inches high. After that they get alphabetized.

2) Following that step will be dealing with the family folders. Most families have one folder. If an individual has netted enough material to warrant his/her own folder, then a family could have up to a dozen folders.

3) The folders will be alphabetized. They were that way for quite some time, but have fallen victim to not being but back in order.

4) Papers will be placed in the appropriate folders.

5) New folders will be created for families and individuals that require them and labels attached. [Yes, I have extra folders and labels.] Some folders may be replaced. A few are getting ratty-looking!😁

6) Next, repeat #4.

7) New folders will be placed in the proper order.

8) As I go along, birth, marriage  and death records will be copied and placed in the Beget, Bewed & Begone binder. That's what I call the binder that contains all of the vital records, obits and photos of cemeteries or other important places. [For those of you who missed my irreverent humor - begat = birth records; bewed = marriages; begone = death records.]

I use colored school subject folders. They have pockets to hold the documents and other papers. The folders also fit in the filing cabinet.

Back to blogging! Organization update

Hello! For those of you who follow the blog, I'm back!

Hectic couple of weeks. My girlfriend had ankle surgery and I've been on nursing duty. I just had round one of cataract surgery. Round two next week.

I've also begun organizing my scattered family research documents  and papers. What a mess! Keep up with your organization.

I'll try to get back to regular posts ASAP.

For today: organizing process -

1) go through papers and label by family surname, individual or topic, then go to next stack.
2) repeat as required

More soon!