Having also written User Guides called READ ME files, about a dozen to cover everything computer related, including Legacy and the ancestors of course, there's another essential part to this. That's the cover letter that you actually print and put somewhere easily accessible. (In my case, in an envelope tacked to my bulletin board and addressed to my executor.)
All READ ME's and cover letter updated on a regular basis as my computer/finances/etc. change. If you're counting on someone actually turning your computer on to see what's in there ... well, they might not. And if they do, chances are they could use some clear direction. Or as the Chinese say, One who's all over the map is no less lost than one without a map. --- JL Beeken JLog - simple computer technology for genealogists http://www.jgen.ws/jlog/ On 10/10/2012 4:54 PM, [email protected] wrote: > This is (or should be!) a concern of all of us who spend a 'lifetime' > researching. Just so happens I've been doing this very thing for my > family - what to do when the time comes I'm either gone or incapacitated > so as not to be 'with it'. > > I've prepared a couple of 'user guides "A User Guide of" (my > Computer--how to get onto it, what's on it, general organization etc; > and A User Guide of my Genealogy--how it's organized, what each folder > contains, etc). Have taken screen shots along with a narrative in a WORD > document to try and explain at least the basics. > > Even if you donate your work to a society/library, unless they have a > skilled IT specialists on staff (probably unlikely unless a major > society/library) that understands computer technology we use they won't > have a clue as to what they've got NOR how to access the treasure that > they've inherited. Without some kind of 'guide' for them you might as > well pitch it - which the family may do anyway! > > If you're interested in more details, please feel free to contact me off > list. > > Gary > > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Emily Moore <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: [LegacyUG] What to do with genealogical files after death of > compiler > Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:54:30 -0400 > > The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne is happy to receive > donations of genealogical records (paper or electronic) regarding > deceased individuals. Also, local genealogical or historical societies > may want such records. > Emily > > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Oct 9, 2012, at 11:44 PM, Modena1920 <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > >> I thought of a question yesterday: If I died tomorrow, who would know >> how to access, navigate, restore my legacy, or other genealogy files? >> I helped a neighbor go through her fathers possessions, I could tell >> that he had done massive amounts of genealogical research and >> organizing, the members of his family had no idea what to do with it. >> Prepare for the day when you will be gone. >> >> Derk >> > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> > Version: 2013.0.2677 / Virus Database: 2591/5821 - Release Date: 10/09/12 > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > *Woman is 53 But Looks 25* > Mom reveals 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors... > <http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3142/50760ac3c61f2ac37196st03vuc>ConsumerLifestyleMag.com > <http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3142/50760ac3c61f2ac37196st03vuc> > > Legacy User Group guidelines: > http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp > Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp > Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and > on our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). > 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/[email protected]/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and on our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
