James: I can't directly answer your questions, because I haven't yet used To Dos in my file (although I plan to). I wanted to reply to share what I do, as an alternative, in regards to your second question of "ow to tell if I've looked at a source before, what I looked for, and what I found".
Being an accountant and auditor, I've grown up with spreadsheets, and make extensive use of Excel in my genealogy research. My method is more effort than many people have, but I find it helps my organization, especially in regards to your second point. Essentially, I transcribe the information I find from most sources into a spreadsheet, and enter the data into my Legacy file from that spreadsheet. For example, I have a file for census information. Within the workbook are multiple tabs, one for each census from which I have information. Columns record all of the information from the census, plus identifying information (e.g. RINs), and other information I wish to add (for example, I record the date I pulled the record, what source, maiden names and MRINs when applicable, and notes). I have similar files for information obtained from cemeteries (be it online sites, cemetery records, or actual visits), BMD information (indexes like the SSDI) and city directories. So far the only records I have not transcribed are data found in other people's family tree files, newspapers and obituaries, and BMD certificates. While this is a double-entry method (and thus, as stated requires more time to maintain), I find the files are invaluable to determine, at a quick glance, what information I have from whom and from where. As a further example, I have a census index tab with some formulas that show me at a quick glance for each member of my genealogy file which census I have found them and which remain to be researched. Scott On Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 9:53 AM, James Cook <jc1...@gmail.com> wrote: > > I'm wondering if there's a more efficient way to manage a research > project with Legacy. Both Legacy and the LUG have pitched the TODOs > for this purpose, and I've been trying to make use of those. There's > two things I'm sort of struggling with: > - How best to enter the information both before and after a trip to the > library > - When planning how to tell if I've looked at a source before, what I > looked for, and what I found. > > Here's a typical example of what I've been doing if that's of any > help. In my easy chair, I bring up PERSI and check off the > periodicals that look like they might be helpful sources. I believe > PERSI calls my selected sources a 'notebook' which I can download as a > text file. So, having very quickly generated a list of periodicals to > search in, I bring up my local research centers catalog and see what > they have available. I'll update my text file with the call numbers > and what not - also very fast and easy. > > Now how should I integrate this information with my TODO items? I > tried making sources for each item I found, and attaching those to my > TODO item. This makes for a nice TODO report, but I can get a list of > 25 or 30 items to search in maybe 30 minutes with the process above, > but then spend a couple of hours turning them into sources in Legacy. > It may be because I use Source Writer exclusively, and thinking I may > as well enter these in source writer too. If I actually find > something, they'll already be in my preferred format. It just takes > way too long, and I'm not at all sure I'm getting value out of the > time spent. I've been thinking I could just copy and paste my text > file into my TODO, the reports wouldn't be as nice, but would be > faster. Other suggestions? > > Once I've finished the research trip, I update my TODO's results area > using an MLA style reference to my linked sources. This part is > pretty fast, I have no real issues with it, just wondering again if > ther is a better way. If I were to go with a copy and paste idea like > I mentiond above, I wouldn't need MLA anymore, as I'd have a block of > info. per source reference. > > Then the last thing is, once I've entered this information (however it > is done), how can I efficiently make use of if? I find I keep > switching between existing TODOs so that I can read the notes and look > at the attached sources. This is also very tedious. > > TIA > > > > Legacy User Group guidelines: > > http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp > > Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyusers.com/ > > Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/ > > Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp > > To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp > > > Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyusers.com/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
