What I do, and it has helped immensely, I put all the dead ends on the To DO list, as you also do, but when I get the actual facts
desired, I create a new source based on data, and remove the To Do. I found when I kept a research log, updating it was a hassle.
Now, I delete finished To Dos. (I have over 1000 on my list at present, that may have something to do with my maintenance mode.
Rich in LA CA


Cathy wrote:

Hi Nigel,
Thanks for the question - it makes me think about how I use the To-Do and whether I can do it better.


Since the To-Do list is a guide to research to be done, I find it helpful to add a "repository" to each item. For me, in this context, it means the place where I expect to be able to find the answer whether that be a particular library, online (but don't stop what you're doing to look right now), my brother, ...

This means that I can very quickly generate a report of things To Do if I get a chance to go somewhere. eg - a friend rang and said there was an exhibition at a library some distance away. Would we go and stay on and do some research for a couple of hours? I was able to do useful things I wouldn't have thought of at the time as I could print off my To-Do list for that place.

I realise that I don't make use of the Locality field. This would be more important to me if I was planning a trip interstate or overseas. Then I could produce reports of things to be done in a particular area. eg look for and photograph tombstones in x cemetery. Perhaps I should start in anticipation :-)

I also make use of the Category to order my research. This means that when I go to the library (or online) I have like things listed together so that I search a shipping index, for example, for everyone listed rather than doing everything on my To-Do list for Joe before moving on to what I want to find out about Mary.

I record non-finds in the To-Do and see them as more important to keep in the To-Do (as completed items) than completed finds - which are now recorded within the data.

I look forward to hearing other ideas so that I can refine my own.

Cheers,
Cathy
Western Australia

At 05:48 PM 24/10/2004, you wrote:

I am a new user and have spent the last few months dusting off paper files
and placing the information / data into the database. The next stage that I
would like to tackle is use the 'To Do' facility. I wonder before I start if
there is some sort of guidance that anyone would like to offer. Obviously I
have seen the help function, but I found this sadly lacking with advice. For
example it would be useful to be able to print out a list depending upon
locality irrespective of the actual family / individual, or by specific
record type (i.e. census) again irrespective of actual family / individual.


I found that short articles in the Tips section on the legacy web site very
useful, but unfortunately there is not a tip on "To Do Lists"



Thanks in advance

Nigel Walker
South Africa


Legacy User Group Etiquette guidelines can be found at:
http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp

To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/

To unsubscribe please visit:
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp


Legacy User Group Etiquette guidelines can be found at: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp

To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/

To unsubscribe please visit:
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp

Reply via email to