.png)
Piles of files of genealogy documents, notes, photos, and reference guides may clutter your workspace. Unfortunately, the longer your desk, dinner table, or den remains disorganized, the less progress you'll make on your genealogy research.
Let's change that, shall we?
Watch this video.
Why are genealogy filing systems a necessity in family history research?
Putting your hand on what you want when you need it, is critical for efficiency in research. Why waste 15 minutes of precious tree climbing time because you can’t find the document you know has the birthdate for your 3rd great-grandmother?
Additionally, suppose you’re working on any genealogy brick wall. If your research isn’t organized, you are likely overlooking clues that could open up crucial gaps in your investigation.
Finally, if you don’t organize your genealogy, it will likely go up in flames. You know you have those relatives that are just itching to take your research and have a bonfire.
Get your free guide, Preserving the Perishable, to help save your most precious genealogy documents, photos, and more.
5 Filing Sytems to Organize Your Genealogy Records
Alphabetize Individuals: Think of how the doctor's office organizes files, and you will understand this method. Each individual has a separate folder. All documents, notes, and relevant reference materials drop into these files. The files are then arranged alphabetically first by surname and then by the first name.
Arrange by Marriage Units: This method organizes paper files into folders for a married couple. Once a couple marries, any document created about them or their children drops into these files. The Genealogy Research Associates explain how to implement this system using a marriage unit ID. While I dislike organizing by ID numbers rather than surnames, I often find myself gravitating to this system.
Four Color Coding Filing System: This method takes the marriage unit system and color codes it. The Folder Marker Blog and Pictures and Stories website explain how to implement the system. I take the color-coding system up a notch and utilize the colors to organize my DNA matches on Ancestry. Click this link to learn more: Color Code Your DNA matches.
Arrange by Record Type: Methods 2 and 3 methods lead to many duplications of record files as individuals may connect in multiple family units. Therefore, another option involves filing documents by record type (birth certificates, death certificates, probate records). Then within the record type folder, documents are filed alphabetically by surname. I take this system up a notch and separate the papers into my maternal and paternal branches. Then I file everything by record type. You'll find an explanation in this video.
Arrange by Location: Not every resource and project fits nicely into family units or record types. Another option for filing your documents involves sorting by location. Amy Johnson Crow often discusses how she organizes in this fashion. You separate all files by location and then by record type or resource.
If Your Genealogy Research is Important, It Should be Organized
If you leave your heirs a disorganized mess, they usually don’t have the luxury to keep your home for 2 years and sift through everything. In many cases, myself included, they have 6 months or less. In fact, I had half a day with my mom's apartment.
Need an action plan to save more by keeping less, order by book Downsizing With Family History in Mind from Amazon. You'll receive action plans, cheat sheets, and encouragement.
If you leave a mess, your genealogy researcher will have a higher chance of being thrown out or burned for fuel.
Are you scared enough now to take action?
Additional "Organization" Show Notes
To learn more genealogy organizational types, reach the following blog posts, or watch the videos mentioned.
How is Your Genealogy Organized? (video)