2 Organising your research
If using a computer load an independent family tree like “Family tree maker”. Use this to enter all the information you find. That’s the primary way to bring together the information that you have, but also have paper files in a loose-leaf folder or filing system.
If you are writing down information on to paper use a loose-leaf folder and use a separate page for each person. Use an alphabetical index and dividers to separate the families.
Using a computer
It is advisable to set up a file under a heading of Genealogy with sub files under the family names then individual files on names in your tree.
You can then save information found on the internet into a word document in a personal file. If not sure which census is the right one all can be saved and the wrong ones deleted at a late
Open word document. Click on open
Create a main file on your computer suggested name Genealogy or Family tree. (usually a picture of two yellow files on tool bar or a file with star in corner dependant on computer system
Then with your main file name “Genealogy” in Look in box create new file with one of your family names.
Click on arrow at the end of the Look in box and then select “Genealogy” box again.
Create files for all of your family names.
Create individual files for your ancestors in the family name files when needed.
Example Alice Smith 1920c – 1970 in the file “Smith” Its useful to put dates as well as names as you may have several people with same name.
Main file Genealogy
Sub files Smith Jones Wood Brown
Individual Adam Smith 1810 1820 John Jones 1920-1980 ? Wood ? – 1710 James Brown ?
Alice Smith 1920c - 1970 James Jones bef1870- ?
Eva Smith 1890-1940 John Jones ? -1930 A Wood 1730-1750 J Brown before 1810 --?
Save pictures or documents that can not be saved to word as a “jpeg” which can then be saved in pictures. Files can then be made in “pictures” for picture and documents in a similar way to above.
Information that is stored on a computor in files are then easier to find at a later date, and can easily be inserted into a document in word.
Saving Paper copies.
Files should be organised in much the same way whether you are using the internet or by hand.
It is essential to file all information in a logical system so that information can be referred to easily and to save duplication of research.
- Family names of ancestors filed alphabetically. Smith
- Keep families in groups using dividers i.e. ( wives filled under their last name i.e. the one on the death certificate)
a. Father and wife with children
b. Grandfather with wife and children (minus father)
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Use dividers and dates to separate generations
- Family of John Smith 1945- father
- Family of William Smith 1920c-1980 grandfather
- Family of John Smith 1890c-1960 great-grandfather
Do not worry if you do not have exact dates or names, these can be altered later.
Estimating dates
Estimate dates and put, about, before or after the date, or put a c after date, 1920c
Example
· If you were born 1950 then your mother could have been born 25 before so enter “about 1925”
· If you father was born 1922 then assume your mother was about the same age so enter “about 1922”
· If you have a baptism date of May 1922 then enter “before May 1922”
· If your have a name John Smith with wife Jane but you do not know Jane’s maiden name put Jane (Smith)
Enter information in date order. Always write the month in words, 21 May 1921, Americans write their date different to us so when doing research you may get the date confused
Example 11 September 1990
· English 11.9 1990
· American 9.11.1990
Within the paper files keep certificates, printouts of census pages, and all sorts of other records such as wills and military records. On the computer keep scans of certificates, census pages, photographs etc. Ideally have both digital and paper copies of everything but always scan irreplaceable items such as original certificates and old photos. The family tree programs may allow you to add photos and other images
On line family tree programs
If using a computer you can use an online family tree program, but only enter information you are sure about on online sites. If you then have a computer failure you have not lost all your information. It is also wise to print of information to a file as a back up.
· “Find my past” tree has the option of Public or private access. Private trees are not accessible in any manner by the general public, as access is restricted to the owner and any other users that they specifically invite to view their tree. However, future plans include a public search on the site to search through data contained in all public trees. This option is included now so that customers may pre-emptively opt out.
· My Heritage tree which is also accessible with internet connection on an iPod or phone, it is free up 250 people and enables you to print good charts. It has public access. (It is an American site so be careful about dates)
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· Genes Reunited. This is a public tree and the names you enter can be viewed by anyone. To view your tree you have to give access.
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· Ancestry.co.uk tree has an ap for phones and computers. It can be accessed without internet connection (useful if you go to heritage or history centres to take some information.) It can be used without full membership. Information has public access.
Warning
Never enter details of a living person in an on line tree without their permission.
Each Individual file could begin with the following. This can be high lighted, copied (Ctrl C) and pasted(Ctrl V) at the start of each individual file. Or once it has entered in the computer it can be save as a blank, and then it can be copied and pasted in to each new individual file. Then saved as, the name of the person and date and filed in correct file.
Biography of
Born……… Place of birth……
Baptism… Church…………..
Died ………… Place of Death
Father……...
Mother…….
Siblings
Spouse…… Date of marriage Place of Marriage
Children
Then start adding the information for the individual.
Remember that some information will appear in other files so the children in one file will be siblings in another also the children will appear in both parents’ files and this information can be copied and pasted in to other files
Then start adding information when found in date order or approximate date
Remember to record child’s birth date and place as this will give indication of where the parent was living at that date.
Then add any information ( Census information and BDM’s ect) found on the internet could be copied (Ctrl C ) then pasted (Ctrl V) into the appropriate file
Other information that can be added is military records, news paper cuttings, wills, probate personal stories collected from family. Add photos of person or place they lived or worked.
When adding personal recollections always begin with an approximate date and who is remembering.
1920 Alice Jones recalled that her granddad would tell her stories when she was about 7 of his school life.
Jim Jones would walk the 3 miles to school in Abthorpe. He used a slate to do his letters. When it was harvest time he did not go to school as he helped his father on the farm
You may find you have different stories of the same incident as you do not know the true facts entering both stories this way is useful.
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If not using computor
If you do not have a computer then do an individual written page for each person but leave space between each entry.
Assume you will find
Birth
Baptism
Census
Census
Marriage
census
1st Childs birthday
2n Childs birthday
Census
Death
Burial
So work out the spacing i.e. someone born 1899 will appear on 1901 census , 1911, before marriage.
Always use separate page for each person
Example
Biography of Mary Maulsbury 1716c - 1803 261
Born……… 1716c Place of birth………..
Baptism……. Church
Died …………1803 Place of Death ……..Abthorpe
Father……... ?
Mother……. ?
Siblings
?
Spouse……John Thornton Date of marriage 4 May 1736 Place of Marriage Towcester
Children
a) Richard Thornton 1738 – 1806 m Mary Galley
b) John Thornton 1742 - ? Elizabeth
c) Robert Thornton 1747 – 1748 died infancy aged 3
d) Mary Thornton 1751 – 1836 m William Dillow
e) Catherine Thornton 1755 – 1832 m John Ross
1716 birth date assumed as 20 at time of marriage
4 May 1736 John Thornton married Mary Maulsbury
Text: John Thornton & Mary Maulsbury of Abthorpe in this parish were married
May ye 4th by banns
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
1738 Richard born in Abthorpe
19 Oct 1738 Richard was baptised in Abthorpe
Text: Richard Thornton s John Thornton & Mary his wife Bapt October 19th 1738
Northants Record Office – Abthorpe Parish records
1742 son John born in Abthorpe
1 OCT 1742 John Baptised in Abthorpe
Text: John Thornton s John Thornton & Mary his wife Bapt October 1st 1742
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
1747 son Robert born Abthorpe
2nd Sept 1747 son Robrt baptised in Abthorpe
Text: Robert Thornton s John Thornton & Mary his wife Bapt September 2nd 1747
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
Abthorpe village green and Church
20th April 1748 son Robert buried in Abthorpe aged about 1
Text: Robert Thornton s John Thornton & Mary Thornton Buried April 20th 1748
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
1751 daughter Mary born in Abthorpe
7 APR 1751 daughter Mary bapitsed in Abthorpe
Text: Mary Thornton d John Thornton & Mary his wife Bapt April 7th 1751
1755 daughter Catherine born in Abthorpe
12 JUN 1755 daughter Catherine baptised in Abthorpe
Text: Catherine Thornton d John Thornton & Mary his wife Bapt June 12th 1755
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
13 OCT 1779 daughter Mary married in Abthorpe to William Dillow (1756)
Text: William DILLOW b servant of this parish &
Mary THORNTON sp of this parish on 13 Oct 1779
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
31 Dec 1787 daughter Catherine married John Ross born in Slapton in Abthorpe
Text: John ROSS w of Slapton &
Catherine THORNTON sp of this parish on 31 Dec 1787
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
6 Feb 1799 husband John buried in Abthorpe
Text: John Thornton Buried February 6th 1799
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
30 Nov1803 Mary was buried in Abthorpe
Text: Mary Thornton Buried November 30th 1803
Northants Record Office Abthorpe Parish record
Old cottage Abthorpe
Form which could be used for collating family facts
Family Group for ……………………..
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Census 1891 |
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Census 1911 |
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Census 1861 |
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Census 1871 |
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Census 1881 |
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Census 1891 |
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Census 1901 |
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Census 1911 |
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Census 1871 |
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Census 1881 |
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Census 1891 |
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Census 1901 |
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Census 1911 |
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Census 1861 |
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Census 1871 |
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Census 1881 |
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Census 1891 |
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Census 1901 |
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Census 1911 |
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Census 1851 |
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Census 1861 |
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Census 1871 |
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Census 1881 |
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Census 1891 |
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Census 1901 |
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Census 1911 |
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Census 1851 |
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Census 1861 |
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Census 1871 |
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Census 1881 |
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Census 1891 |
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Census 1901 |
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Census 1911 |
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