TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2001-06 > 0991390255


From: Barbara Leak <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Somewhat Off Topic--Adding Sources
Date: Fri, 01 Jun 2001 03:10:55 -0700
References: <69.16256631.2847cc2b@aol.com>


----- Original Message -----
> My question: How do people file the hard copies for sources?


A lot of people file by surname. I don't for two rather opposite reasons:
1) I have Danish ancestry with patronymic surnames that changed every
generation.
2) I have a severe case of collapsing pedigree (marriage among cousins). The
surnames never changed, even where we would expect them to. I can complete a
four-generation pedigree chart that has only four different surnames on it
instead of the normal eight.

Some people file by locality. My German great-grandfather came from a little
village where all of his ancestors had lived for 400 years. I could never
see the advantage of locality filing with that situation.

So, I file by ahnentafel number. I have a folder for each couple on my
pedigree charts. I am primarily researching my ancestry, as opposed to a
descendancy, and I find it perfectly adequate to file documents on all
collateral relatives in the folder of my ancestral couple that they descend
from.

I also have a set of surname folders, arranged alphabetically, where I keep
documents and notes on people I cannot yet identify for placement in my
ancestor folders. And I have a set of locality folders, arranged
alphabetically, where I keep maps and other information that may apply to
several families in the same area. My correspondence is in yet another group
of folders, filed alphabetically by correspondent.

If I have to number it, index it, or cross-reference it before filing, it
remains in a pile on the floor. I've learned that the hard way, so I don't
even try anymore. My priority is to get it filed before it gets lost.

My filing system works for me. Your system has to work for you, your
ancestors, and the type of research project you're doing.

Barbara



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