Managing Your Genealogy Research

I had a great time today presenting my session Managing Your Genealogy Research at the Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego. Managing your genealogy research shouldn’t be so overwhelming it takes time away from your actual research.

Organizing Genealogy Research

I’ve put together an e-book, Sassy Jane’s Guide to Organizing Your Genealogy Research Using Archival Principles. It covers in detail the ideas covered in my presentation, including file folder structure, file-naming conventions for downloads and scans, authority files, and metadata for your family photographs.

This Sassy Jane Genealogy Guide is a step-by-step ebook for managing your genealogy research, using six digital folders. Learn how to name and organize digital files for quick retrieval, link paper and digital records, and tame your genealogy research.

There are three principal sets of information genealogists create:

The digital file created by your family tree application (Legacy, Reunion, Family Tree Maker, Rootsmagic, etc.)
Paper records, including original or vintage documents and photographs, plus printouts and photocopies
Digital records, including downloads and scans

A retrieval system—a way of locating what you own on demand—is essential. Naming and organizing digital files for quick retrieval, file folder structure, and linking paper and digital records are all ways to find your documents when you need them.

Organizing Genealogy Research is available as a 38-page PDF download and has four sections: