Table of Contents
Introduction 6
Part 1 I Inherited Grandma's Stuff, Now What? 10
Chapter 1 Organize Your Objectives 11
Checkpoint 1 Organize Your Objectives
Chapter 2 Organize Your Plan 19
Checkpoint 2 Set Your Goals and Timeline
Checkpoint 3 Inventory Your Archive
Checkpoint 4 Order Your Storage Supplies
Chapter 3 Organize Assistance From Family Members 38
Checkpoint 5 Enlist Assistance
Chapter 4 Organize Your Archive 44
Checkpoint 6 Sort and Organize Your Archive
Checkpoint 7 Catalog Your Archive
Checkpoint 8 Find a Home for Your Archive
Chapter 5 Organize for the Future 56
Checkpoint 9 Donate Your Family Archive
Checkpoint 10 Plan Your Legacy
Chapter 6 Organize Archival Papers 69
Chapter 7 Organize Archival Photos 79
Chapter 8 Organize Artifacts 90
Part 2 Break the Paper Habit 102
Chapter 9 Organize and Digitize Your Paper Documents 103
It's not practical to eliminate all paper files, but going digital saves storage space and search time. This chapter shows you how to move toward a paperless genealogy office step by step, from scanning to storage.
Chapter 10 Digitize Your Family Archive 115
Digital copies preserve heirloom originals and give you a working copy for research and creative projects. This chapter presents sample workflows to help you safely create digital copies of archive materials.
Chapter 11 Organize Your Paper Files 126
Do you feel buried in a mountain of genealogy papers? This chapter offers practical ideas for a personalized filing system to suit your research style and experience.
Chapter 12 Organize Your Computer 142
Your computer can be a top-notch filing clerk and research assistant with strategies in this chapter for a consistent file-naming system, simple folder structure, and scheduled backup plan.
Part 3 Root Your Research in Strategies for Success 150
Chapter 13 Organize Your Research 151
Productive research begins with organized research methods. This chapter outlines effective research strategies with step-by-step ideas, case study examples, and helpful resource checklists.
Chapter 14 Organize Your Source Citations 168
Without proof, there is no truth. This chapter offers an overview of effective citation styles and helpful checklists for citing your archival materials.
Chapter 15 Organize Your Software Solutions 181
Technology can advance your genealogy research by saving time and effort. This chapter will help you discover useful services to fit your needs, both Web-based and on your computer
Chapter 16 Organize and Discover Research Connections Online 192
Social media services, blogs, forums, and LIST-SERVs can help you find family and break down brick walls. Use the tips in this chapter to expand your genealogy research.
Conclusion 199
Index 200
