You can link within Legacy to any arbitrary file such as a PDF or word document, by using the Video (or sound) button from the picture gallery screen, that appears in many places within Legacy. You can even use this to open up a database or Excel spreadsheet. I doubt that you can pass context information (such as a RIN, MRIN or Source ID) though, so it's not really intended to link to external databases. However, it works brilliantly for PDF and similar files.
Interested to hear about your filing system, too.
Cheers, Rob
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Hakes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 5:03 AM
Subject: [LegacyUG] More on adding information and organizing
Since I started this discussion, I'd like to elaborate a bit. The method that "gc" uses (see below), requires the user to have MS Access. Unfortunately, a lot of us who use MS Office don't have that module. What I was asking originally was whether there was some way to "link" a file (could be a spreadsheet, a text file, a MS Word document, etc.) to an individual in Legacy. I thought there might be a way to do this similar to either adding an attachment to an email or just adding a reference to the file via a URL link, like in a web page. In short, the answer appears to be "no" but I do hope the Legacy folks are listening as this would seem to be a killer feature!
NOTES section of the Legacy entry. But the ideal situation would be to have Legacy and this Access database linked electronically so that viewing an individual's RIN# in Legacy would also have available for display all the supporting information from the Access database.
As for manually managing the paper files, etc. --- I have done what the Legacy web site suggested and am using the Legacy-assigned individual index number (RIN) for each person. I printed out my index list in alphabetical order, punched holes in it, and filed it in the binder at the front of the numbered tabs. That way I can cross-reference pretty easily. I'm a little worried about the numbers changing, but I found an option for re-using abandoned RINs and I immediately UNchecked that option. (Since I'm relatively new, I haven't had to "abandon" anybody yet!)
I file the family group printout along with the census copy if I have it and marriage license, behind the tab for the head of household (usually the father). I also file a research log, timeline, death and military certificates, copies of letters, and any other notes for each individual behind his or her tab. If the individual is a female, for example, who has married, she would have her own numbered tab. I could easily cross-reference, via the index list, her father or husband to find the required family group printout. It's actually surprising how quickly you memorize a person's index number!
In my notebook, I also have dividers for general information, filed by my first four family groups. For example, my father's parents were Burgy and Leichsenring, my mother's were Chittenden and Henry, so I have dividers labeled Burgy, Chittenden, Leichsenring, and Henry. I use them for filing miscellaneous information, printouts, etc. that apply to the family IN GENERAL (not to a specific individual) or any spin-offs of that branch.
Sorry to be long-winded but this discussion may help others who are just starting to get organized. It seems more practical to spend a little time organizing early before you get buried in paper.
Happy hunting,
Jane Hakes
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