To Wendy and Russell, I use the MRIN system too. I printed the filing rules and put them right in front of the binder so I can refer to them. I don't follow the first 5 tabs rule exactly. I don't refer to a pedigree chart. I use the MRIN index instead just like Wendy does. I only have tabs for the MRIN numbers that matter. I take my binder to the FHL, and I don't take a computer or a memory stick with me. I found that it was easier to deal with each family the same as Wendy. The whole point of using this system is that we are supposed to be able to find a file in 15 seconds. When I take my binder(s) to the FHL, I can find what I need. Like Wendy, once I implemented this system I don't have a pile of undone and disorganized papers to do deal with.
Joe Vacaville, CA -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lavenders Sent: Saturday, April 22, 2006 12:31 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] Filing Systems Hi Russell..........I've tried just about any system I could find suggested on the net and the one that suits me the best is using the MRIN number. I tried the colour coding but that got a bit out of control. I don't make extra copies of documents for children who have married and left their parents MRIN folder, I just have a pointer to their new location and I don't relocate them to a new folder unless they are important to my line of ancestry. Any information gathered on siblings (marriages and children) stay with the main family . Hard copies of documents are numbered with the MRIN plus a number, so it would be M256-03. If a person has married twice (or more) their ID's would be M256/259 My physical files are in a filing cabinet in hanging files and not folders as suggested in "Organizing Your Paper Files" mainly because I already had the cabinet and stationery. I found that using this method, when I get a lot of information to deal with from different branches of the family, I refer to the marriage list for the MRIN I've printed out and just stick the paper work in the relevant folders until I can deal with it........whereas before, it would pile up in the IN tray! I do have extra folders for each of the main surnames with research material filed in them, folders for maps, pedigree charts, locations.....but you develop these as you find the need to file stuff that doesn't belong to a particular family. I found the hardest task was finding a filing system that works for you, once that happens it all falls into place........hopefully. Cheers Wendy L Russell Anderson wrote: > I am sorry if this question has been asked many times before. Is there > an archive where I can review previous answers? > > I am trying to figure out a good filing system. I have read about > filing by MRIN number, also a color system. I also read the user guide > for ByGones. In the past I have just numbered my documents and made an > index for each family that listed the documents and their number. But > I want to get serious and setup a system that will be flexible and > useful. > > I can see where ancestors will have some impact on the best system. > For instance with Patronymics it is good to use a geographical > organization and I do have both Danish and Swedish ancestry. But this > seems like such a common question that surely there must be some > consensus on the most reasonable system. > > I would also like to get some feedback on database software. Is it a > good idea to use a system like ByGones? Does Legacy provide enough > support to keeping track of my documents? Are there better products on > the market? Maybe an add-on to Legacy? > > I am a new user of Legacy and I am finally taking serious my > Genealogy, but I don't want to start down a path that is going to > complicate my life. > > Thanks, > Russell > Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE > research trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of > Legacy 6 Deluxe. Enter online at http://legacyfamilytree.com/FreeTrip.asp > > Legacy User Group 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/ > > For online technical support, please visit > http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Help.asp > > To unsubscribe please visit: > http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp > > Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE research trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of Legacy 6 Deluxe. Enter online at http://legacyfamilytree.com/FreeTrip.asp Legacy User Group 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/ For online technical support, please visit http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Help.asp To unsubscribe please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE research trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of Legacy 6 Deluxe. Enter online at http://legacyfamilytree.com/FreeTrip.asp Legacy User Group 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/ For online technical support, please visit http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Help.asp To unsubscribe please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp
