Working The Finally Get Organised List–Week 4

 

Task 1 Volunteer at FamilySearch Indexing.

Translation of Task – Get involved
Adaptation of Task – This is something that I would dearly love to do, however I already do quite a lot of transcribing on TROVE which I feels help me pay back to the community, it also allows the wider genealogical community great access to this large Australian Newspaper Data base as correcting the OCR increases accessibility.
Completion of Task – I have chosen to continue transcribing and correcting TROVE as my contribution
Reflection on Task – Once this and the Genealogical Do Over have been completed in 2016 I hope to have a little more disposable research time – my goal is then to start participating in the FamilySearch Indexing project focusing on Australian records.
 

Task 2. Learn to browse the image collections at FamilySearch.org .

Translation of Task – none required
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – This is something that I always do
Reflection on Task – consulting the index does not reveal all the possible information that may be of value to your research.
 

Task 3. Create surname binders for yourself (if female) and your mother's maiden name, but leave them at that for the moment.

Translation of Task – Getting ready to repeat the same process for my father’s surname now for my mothers surname
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – here we go again.
 

Task 4. - Update your genealogy program to include your siblings

Translation of Task – Everything must be reflected in my genealogical program
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – Already done

I create actual photograph album’s for both sides of my family, using the eldest living ancestor as the focus.  They document the life of the recipient with their own photos which they get to keep (after I have scanned it).  I usually give the final product to them on a significant birthday.  Thelma’s was given to her on her 80th birthday.  Since receiving the album I have updated it several times.  At the back of the album is all her descendants addresses and a list of all her descendants and their partners birthdays and year of birth.  This has helped me to keep abreast of the growing family.  And of course when I finish each update I also update my genealogical program.  It takes a bit of work but it’s part of the responsibility that goes with being recognized as the unofficial family historian.

Working The Finally Get Organised List–Week 3

Task 1. Transcribe every document you've collected on the first 4-four generations in your surname/maiden name binder.

Translation of Task – Transcribing is an essential, so that you can really see and integrate the information that each document you have.
Adaptation of Task - None required
Completion of Task – on going, most of my documents are already transcribed however as I tidy up my files I am finding some that I have missed
Reflection on Task – Owning or having a document is not enough, transcribing a document is the first step after acquisition that helps to integrate the data into your ancestors lives and uncover any further clues that may have gone unnoticed.
 

Task 2. Refile each document in the Surname/Maiden Name binder.

Translation of Task – Filing must be identical in both the physical and digital world
Adaptation of Task - ....
Completion of Task – not yet, I have documents everywhere and although the filing systems are consistence they are not duplicated in both the physical and digital world
Reflection on Task – This is an enormous task. I am lucky enough to have lots of documents and after 30+ years of research they come in various forms. Up until this point I had not thought of duplicating them in both the physical and digital world. The concept of the coffee table approach to my filing has made real sense to me, particularly with the thought that future generations will be coming to my research with the benefit of the finding process that brings familiarity with my holdings.

Working The Finally Get Organised List - Week 2

 
Task - First, back up your data.
Translation of Task – Back up my data or risk losing it all
Adaptation of Task - I have 3 places where I back up data – the main one is Dropbox, then Google Drive and also One Drive.
Completion of Task - Done
Reflection on Task – I need to understand how to more effectively integrate , then Google Drive and also One Drives into my system

Task - Decide on a genealogy management program.
Translation of Task – none required
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – Done, I will continue to use Legacy Family Tree
Reflection on Task –

Creating a new filing system 

Task - Starting with yourself, ensure you've entered your personal data and that of the three older generations by that surname in your chosen genealogy management program.
Translation of Task – Don’t forget to document yourself
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – up-to-date will ask mum whether there is anything tucked away in her files that pertain to my childhood that might need to be added to my profile in Legacy
Reflection on Task –

Task - Set aside a 3-ring binder for your surname, Label oversize tabbed 3-ring dividers and insert in the surname binder.
Translation of Task – none required
Adaptation of Task - needed more than one folder for my paternal surname, I have a lot of data.
Completion of Task –Reflection on Task – My filing was based on a totally different system, although the comment that finally won me over was the coffee table concept, and being able to easily share my data with people who would prefer hard copy data rather than work via computers. It has been tough overcoming my resistance but I am pleased to report I am extremely happy with the outcome achieved.
 
Task - Print out family group sheets starting with yourself & Place the 4 family group sheets behind the appropriate generation dividers in your surname binder
Translation of Task – This is the lynch pin between my Legacy database and my hardcopy files
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task - This “front page” becomes an “index” for each generation
 

Task - Scan and file photos and documents relating to each of these four generations in your surname/maiden name binder. - As soon as you've scanned them, place all important "must save" photos and documents in top-loading page protectors
Translation of Task – Pull all photos and documents into one place
Adaptation of Task - I create family history photograph albums, as I have a lot of photos , however I will put an index to where each photo is held and its provenance. At the moment I keep a word document for each surname eg below I will then put it in the appropriate section.

Completion of Task – Almost complete
Reflection on Task – I need to break up my photo catalogues into surname groups to matchmy new filing surname, however this seems to be the most effective way to share and file them. I may need to add 2 more columns – where is hardcopy kept, where is master digital copy stored.

Leaving it all behind

Task - Create an introduction for those that follow.
Translation of Task – Help others decipher what I have done
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – When I was writing this up I realised there are several things I would like to change about how I do my filing currently that would make it easier for others who follow
 

Task - Add a "genealogy codicil" to your will by making an appointment with your attorney.

Translation of Task – Let others know what your intention was for your genealogical data when I am not longer able to articulate my desires.
Adaptation of Task - none required
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – This is important.

Working The Finally Get Organised List - Week 1

Task 1 - Clear off the Computer Desk & Make Piles for Everything

Translation of Task – Move current piles/extraneous items off Desk
Adaptation of Task -  My piles are a mix of current research, items of interest, and not yet done etc . I have created an adapted system of Action Files.  The holding files are organized by my main family lines and broad geographic areas of interest.  They are now held in a portable filing box sitting under my desk.  When I have dealt with the items they then can be moved into archival filing or the bin whichever is most appropriate
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – I love this new system, I can lay my hands on anything quickly as it will be either in the Action Files (aka halfway holding files) or in my archival files if it’s not already on the computer. 

Photo taken by Sandra Williamson 07 Jan 2016

Task 2 - Check your office supplies, and replace any missing or lost items

Translation of Task – There’s nothing more frustrating than reaching for something when you need it and finding that it’s not there or that it doesn’t work
Adaptation of Task – Make a list a list of what I’d like or need so that if an opportunity presents itself I can take advantage of it such as sales or gift requests etc
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – Knowing what you need, so that you can get it while out and about or order it online in a timely manner, is half the battle.
 

Task 3 - Setup your computer desk and office the way you really want it!

Translation of Task – You spend a lot of time at your desk - make it work for you not against you.
Adaptation of Task – none needed
Completion of Task -  First phase done, further refinement possible as ideas and more funds become available.
 

Task 4 - Designate a special red clipboard as the "When Computer Help Arrives" clipboard

Translation of Task – If you know what you want it’s easier for people to help
Adaptation of Task – none required
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – Great idea, will help me to remember what I’s really like done when someone offers to help
 

Task 5 - Designate a special green clipboard as the "Genealogy Challenges" clipboard.

Translation of Task – Keep an up-to-date summary of each “problem” I currently working on or intend to work on, so that when I get back to the “problem” I can pick up where I left off and not be stressed about forgetting anything.
Adaptation of Task – I have a system already in place for each family line that I am researching, it is a series of on going narratations of where I am at with each persons and/or family unit.  There are seperate word documents usually organised person and then  by time span and coverning one area of interest/topic. I will continue to use system as it helps me have clarity
Completion of Task – Done
Reflection on Task – I like my current system of “Books” and I know that when I don’t use it I can become quickly overwhelmed.


 
Week 1 Now Complete…….

An Overview for the begining of 2016

 
The Objectives of "Sandra’s Ancestral Sorting Blog" is to show the progress that I am making in each of the challenges that I have chosen to participate in 2016.

By making my goals public I am hoping to strengthen my commitment to the following:-

1. To become more systematic in my approach to research (workflow)
2. To manage my time more effectively
3. To keep myself and my files organized
4. To be able effectively share the results of my ongoing Research 

Community Challenges

• FINALLY Get Organized!

  

  Find out more here: http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/p/finally-get-organized.html

  
  

• Genealogy Do-Over

Find out more here: http://www.geneabloggers.com/tag/genealogy-do-over/ 

 

• The Family History Writing Challenge

          Begins in February and runs for the whole month.

It’s shaping up to be a very exciting and busy year!