I also no longer keep copies of family group sheets and pedigree charts in my paper files, because I can so easily bring them up in my genealogy software/online pedigrees. In my opinion, there's no reason to keep paper files of, for instance, census records that are available online and properly sourced into my database.
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Who knows, pretty soon I might not even need my paper file system. Over the years I have reduced my paper files from one box for each line, to everything in one portable box. Keep adding new photos and documents to my system.Īs I continue to make high-res scans of my important photos and documents from my paper system, I'll add them to the proper folders and back them up regularly/put them in cloud storage. I used to place duplicate copies in multiple folders, but now I'm using more keyword searches. It's up to you how you handle multiple family photos. This means I can just put the photo in Elmer I's folder without duplicating it, but the photo will come up on a search for Elza.
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(For instructions on how to add captions to a photo's metadata, see this post.) I've also added each individual's name in the keywords field (just out of sight on this screen shot) so that I can search under a person's name to see all their photos, regardless of what folder the photos are in. You'll notice that I've put all the names in the metadata, in the description field. (My great-grandfather, Elmer III, is a baby in this photo so we wouldn't put it in Elmer III's grownup folder, since his folder only contains information on his post-marriage & family life.)ī) Use keywords to indicate who is in the photo. In this case, I would put a copy of this photo in Elmer I's folder, and I would also copy it to my next direct-line descendant's (his son, Elmer II a.k.a Elza) folder, since Elza is also in the folder. Where should I file this photo, seeing that it could also be filed under each of his adult children's names?Ī) P ut a duplicate copy of the photo in each folder. This system, like the paper system, is infinitely expandable when you discover a new family, just find their pedigree number and create a new subfolder, and drag the scans into the proper folder.)īUT - what if you have a photo that could go in many different folders? Here's an example of my 5th-great-grandfather's folder:Īs you can see, Elmer Armstrong I's folder has a large photo of the whole fam damily, with Elmer I as patriarch, and including his children, spouses, and grandchildren. Add new subfolders and photos as you find or scan new information. As you digitize new photos and documents, or find them on the internet, you can just drop them in the appropriate folder. See how this works? It's a pretty simple way to organize photos, because the rules always stay the same so you'll always know where to find things. It's important to remember that this file system is based on family groups, and all information is filed under the name of the father. (Let's just not get into the gender equality implications of this, shall we?.) So photos of the wife and their children will go into that husband/wife folder. (Any photos of my father after his marriage will go in his file, #002.) Etc.
This contains pictures of my grandparents after their marriage, my father and his siblings as children. 004 - Elmer Clare Armstrong and Margaret Powell - my paternal grandparents.