HARD COPY FILES

Initially, when I thought about how to keep records, I wanted to keep one folder for each surname in my genealogical research. I now have a folder for each surname when I have spent a special effort working on a family and need to have ready access to all the information found. I periodically review this information to determine what I should do next as I attempt to push the family history further back in time. I also have a couple of large folders simply labeled "A-G" and "H-W." These folders contain information on each family not placed in a separate folder. Because I copied already available information, frequently these 2 large folders simply have a collection of printouts that show the families. When a female connection exists, I either show it under her name or if only one generation place it immediately behind that of the husband.

II also set up a file folder for each of many locations where I was searching for information. Folders are for individual states within America, and foreign countries from which ancestors came. These folders may provide references to web sites having information on the region, maps of states showing townships and histories of regions.

I have other folders for various topics such as Civil War information , boats coming across the big water and other reference sources.