During busy summer months, it is easy for our research to get off track. Files that were stashed when family came to visit may still be waiting in the closet to be filed properly. Information that got pulled out to share with family at reunions, or that got left out during a late night research session may be cluttering your workspace. Whatever your organization problem is, take steps this week to remedy it. Start with a list of what needs to be done. Then schedule a few minutes each night to check something off your list. If your filing pile has gotten too large, break it into smaller files by surname first. Then file a surname every night until you’re up to date. While you’re at it, keep a pad of paper and pen handy to jot down the research ideas and to-do items that will undoubtedly come from your filing exercise. Those next steps you find will make it well worth your effort!
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Planning can be done in many forms, whether weekly, monthly or annually.
Much of my family research is done in Texas. Living out of state requires me to prepare a “to do list” throughout the year so that time can be used most efficiently during annual vacations to the southwest. This had been an invaluable tool.
The list is prepared as a Word Document, with additions being made as the situations arise. Then, just prior to departure, I simply print a copy and voila.
My name is Bethanie Sue Gordon, I was born in Chicago, Ill, born at Belmont Community Hospital, I think that my birthfather lied on my birth record, he claims that he was 34 when I was born in 1953, but I know that was a lie, my mother told the truth, she was 23 at the time I was born, I have looked all over the states for my birthfather and there is no sight of him what so ever. His name at the time of my birth was neal edward gordon, now he uses edward neal gordon. NO SS number, NO place that I can look, his last known address was 4863 s.lake park ave in Chicago, Ill. Please help me find this person, since my mothers death I got diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer like her and I do not have much more time on this earth.
bethanie sue gordon
This article is SO TRUE. My paternal grandfather rountinely lied about his birth year during the depression to make himself seem younger in order to gain employment. The only thing he didn’t change was the month and day of his birth, which helped me to track census records better. Having copies of some of his employment applications was a lucky source for me. Why he kept them I’ll never know, but they eventually came to me and they are a wonderful addition to my genealogical record.