[or-roots] Filing System for Home Files

[Cheryl Fitzsimons]

Hi Delores,

First buy tons of sheet protectors.  I wait until Office Depot has a sale of 
buy one and get one free and then I buy a lot.  I use notebooks and a four 
drawer file cabinet.  I put the original birth certificates, death 
certificates, obituaries, etc. in sheet protectors and file in notebooks 
labeled Birth Certificates, etc.  I just put the documents in the notebooks 
in alphabetical order.  You do not want to punch holes in original 
documents!  I photocopy each document and put it in a family notebook - also 
in a sheet protector.  That way I can share the information I have gathered 
with others and I do not have to worry about losing an original document or 
greasy fingers leafing through my work.  I use files in the file cabinet to 
keep the items I am working on, duplicate copies, questions to resolve, 
items I am gathering to send to someone, etc.

If you still want to keep using plastic bins for each family I would still 
recommend using sheet protectors.  Your documents would be somewhat 
protected as you dig through the bins or large manila envelopes.

There are quite a few books written on organizing your genealogy 
information.  You might want to check your local library and read what the 
experts have to say.

Good luck,
Cheryl

>From: "D. J. Brotherton" <djbrtb at kci.net>
>Reply-To: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us
>To: <or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us>
>Subject: [or-roots] Filing System for Home Files
>Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2005 20:35:15 -0700
>
>This may be an inappropriate question if so I am sorry and just ignore it.
>
>  I am  finding I have a ton of genealogy paper  that needs filing for 
>purposes of being able to find things quickly on a person or family.  Is it 
>best to use notebooks - file folders or what?
>
>I need ideas - I have  thought about family books -  but I don't want to  
>punch holes in Birth Certificates etc.
>
>I have thought about file folders but they get messy. and you need a file 
>cabinet.
>
>I have thought about large manilla envelopes - and puchased a box but it 
>seems difficult to get  paper in and out when needed and I have it all 
>over.
>
>I  now have plastic tubs  by families along with the pictures, but what I 
>want is always on the bottom.   I definitely need a system.
>
>Does anyone have  other ideas?  Am I alone in this mess.
>
>Dolores
>djbrtb at kci.net