How to Organize Your Family History Research

How many times have you set about to write your family history, only to run across the daunting task of putting it all together in a manner which will make sense?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience
• Determination
• A Sense of Humor

1. How many times have you set about to write your family history, only to run across the daunting task of putting it all together in a manner which will make sense?
   
   Many people give up writing their family history at this point. Too much information! So much to write about! If you are like me, you’ve spent years researching your ancestors only to find piles of papers, notes, and website URLs piling up on your desktop.
2. The simplest way to resolve this problem is to take it ONE small step at a time. Easier said than done, you say?
3. One day, a few years ago, I ran across an article on the web on how to simplify and organize your home. I was intrigued by this article, as it seemed geared specifically for someone like me - lots of stuff, a need to be organized, but completely clueless as to how to begin sorting out the mess!
4. After the realization that I did not have to do it ALL, especially all at ONCE, I began with one small step at a time. One thing led to another, and my home was organized and efficient, at last!
5. The next step was to apply these steps to my genealogy research and family history I was struggling to write. I just told myself: “One small step at a time. You can quit anytime you please. All will be fine”. I laugh, now, when I think of how overwhelmed I felt at the time. I’ve given myself permission for the mess, as well as the organization to be just fine the way it is. However, taking one small step at a time, I found myself going on to the next step and then the next. Each step was small, and, therefore, easy to accomplish.
6. Not only did my notes and piles of paper start to become organized, I found I could actually begin writing because I could FIND all this information! The writing process began to flow.
   
   Then I decided it was time to help other people out the way I’d been helped, and begin writing about how to research your family history and how to write it down!
   
   I wish I could remember who wrote that article years ago that helped me so. But, to whomever it was, I thank you a million times!
7. First things first. Sit down and place every paper, note, pile, into categories. You can focus on a subject, such as a surname, or a category such as a state your ancestors lived in.
8. Once you have these sorted into piles, place them in file folders and mark them appropriately. I chose to sort my information by surname, as I was researching quite a few lines, both maternal and paternal.
9. Next, take one folder at a time, and organize those notes and papers. Make subfolders. If you are sorting by surname, place individuals in subfolders. They will be much easier to find next time you sit down to do research.
10. At this point, it is a good idea to choose a focus of research. One surname, one individual with that surname. Begin with yourself! It seems rather odd to think of your family history as stories of yourself, but you know yourself best and the writing will be easy! No research required.
11. Where, you may ask, do I begin? At the beginning, of course! Start with your childhood. What is your earliest memory? Where did you live? Why were your parents living there?
    
    Don’t make this too long. You can always add to it later. Keep it simple so it does not become complicated and confusing.
    
    Something like this: “I remember my first bicycle. It was red and had a horn on the handlebars. My parents bought it for me for my 5th birthday.”
    
    That will be enough to expound on later. Jogging your memory is the key to writing your own personal history. Then write another few lines about another memory. It doesn’t matter, at this point, if you jump around from childhood to adult memories, as you can place them in order later.
12. Now, congratulate yourself! Step back, read what you’ve written. You are now on your way to organizing and writing your OWN family history!
    
    There are many tips to successful genealogy organization that will help you successfully convey the information in a concise , well written manner.
    
    May you enjoy putting together your own story (and that of your ancestors) and, who knows? You may one day publish your very own family history book!
13. To keep tabs on my genealogy tips and tricks, visit my blog at: http://surnamesandhernames.blogspot.com/

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a sense of humor
• Don't be too hard on yourself
• Remember: ONE STEP AT A TIME!