Did you enjoy this week's video? Connie has tons of videos to help you go further, faster, and factually with your family history research! Check out Top 30 Free Genealogy Websites to get your resources together to take the first step on your Genealogy Journey! ruclips.net/video/q7LBSIB8cWE/видео.html
I have been off and on over the years with my research, I am still a newbie due to lack of consistency. I learn so much from your videos and appreciate you sharing your knowledge. You have been helping me stay organized and focused, especially on better note taking (it is so easy to get caught up in clicking green leaves and then its a mess to go back through).
Boy did I need this video! I never formally identified a particular research goal, so I was always hopping all over the place, thinking I'd covered all the bases. Of course, I'd get distracted, frustrated, or go to an "easier person" on the tree. Your Trifecta Strategy is brilliant! Connie, you always rejuvenate us. Thanks for that!
Connie, this refers to an earlier video. I found one of my persons in 1900 census working as a cook in a hotel. Then I found her again in city directories. I added a FLOATING TREE for the female proprietor of the hotel to park some FAN details, and was able to find more owner details in an 1898 city directory. I've add more details in my RESEARCH NOTES inc hotel advertisement from city directory, googled street address, and found historic info from city files. Just a snippet of time for my person but since 1880 (found her in census), my person learned to read, moved from Virginia to Connecticut, and learned a profession. You and Christa Cowan teach master classes in genealogy and I watch your videos over all the time. Thank you very much.
Connie has been a great help to me over the last several months as I've researched my wife's DNA family, as an adoptee, and because of closed adoptions in Arizona, we had no idea who the biological parents were. I've used her strategies and they work. Are my research notes perfect, no but they are definitely better than they originally were. What Connie says about other member trees is correct, don't trust them. But I will admit I've looked and used them for DNA matching of cousins and then I go back and do my research to verify the relationship. I have found inconsistencies, missing family members, kids that weren't recorded because they died in between census records. but I can report I believe I know who her father is and a little about the family and I also believe I know who the mother is even though the mother never took a DNA test. So as I've told you before Connie, thank you and look for my email to schedule an hour with you.
this was terrific!! you helped to get me back on track. and, multiple monitors was a lightbulb moment for me. I got the extra monitor I had in the closet and set it up,, why didn't I think of this before??!! Thank YOU!
This is a great overview! For people who do genealogy as a hobby, and take periods of time away from different research projects, having good research notes can help you pick up where you left off. We deal with a lot of people, dates, and places when doing research. We can't expect to remember it all.
I love all your videos, I've always had issues with how I store files on documents but I finally found the way that works for me. I now have folders on my computer with the format using the Ancestral Reference Numbering System like "[surname], [forenames] [index number]". Along my sidebar they're in number order and then i have a view in alphabetical order. For example my 2x great grandfather has a folder called "Land, Edward [24]" and all his children except my great grandfather have a letter at the end like "Land, Amabel [24a]" and then an additional letter for their children and so on. I save documents as "Land, Edward [24] 1911 Census", always focusing on the head of the household if there's multiple people on the document, I reference this in my research notes and I have a citation document for each document with those labels. Apparently it sounds pretty complicated when I discuss it with my partner but I've really got in the flow with this method. Thanks for your videos, they really help me stop stressing at my brick walls and the more i rewatch them the more confident I get with my genealogy.
Fantastic. Do what works for you... but also think about my 200 year rule... _Would someone 200 years from now be able to navigate your records easily?_
THANK YOU! I always gain a lot of insights from your videos, but for me & where I am with regards to experience, this was, without a doubt, the most informative video I have viewed. Thank you!
Really enjoyed this video. Watched it twice now, to make sure I caught everything. I currently am going over my tree, person by person, to ensure it is accurate. I do have a couple of questions. 1. Do you do the whole research process for every person you add to your tree? (i.e. aunts, uncles, cousins, all their descendants, etc.) 2. Do you do a FAN Club spreadsheet/log for every person or just your brick walls? 3. Do you keep research notes for every person you have in your tree? (including the extended family members) Thank you again for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience with all of us. It is appreciated more than you know, especially by those of us that want the most accurate & factual trees we can have.
Hi April. Great questions and thanks for supporting the channel. Here we go... 1. No... just the direct line (that's my choice). HOWEVER, if I need those extended family members to help tie records or evidence together, then yes I will. Typically this is for brick wall busting. 2.Just brick walls... and only if I need to visualize the fan club. 3. No. There is not enough time in my life to do that. I keep detailed research notes on my direct line ancestors that I'm actively researching or anyone that I have a special interest in researching. I did one on a little girl who died at 13 (on my husbands side) just because I was intrigued by the few little diaries she left behind. I built a story around that little girl. So there is an exception. I then posted that story on the Knox Facebook page. For the most part, I want to prove my direct lines, so I do keep detailed notes on those. I have a ton of work to do as I don't have them for all my lines. I have more work to do there. I hope that answered your questions. Just know that it is a personal choice, life is short, and do what rocks your world!
Thank you, Connie! This video has invaluable information for me. My siblings and our Dad were meeting in Tuscon in October for a reunion. Now, we are meeting in Phoenix for a memorial. My older sister passed away 3 weeks ago. So I want to put together information from my tree to present to everyone. Using your guidelines for organization will work well for me. Thank you. Also, in this video when you demonstrated the split screen, you had the database "Adams County, Colorado, U.S., Marriage License Index, 1960-2010" displayed on the right half of the screen. Well, my wife and I are in that index for 19 Sep 1981. So, yes, our 40th anniversary is on Sunday. LOL. Thanks so much for all you do for us novice genealogists!!
Excellent video! I found your youtube channel a few months ago and love the helpful tips! Three years ago, I was on a travel forum and someone gave me a link to a church in Germany. I wrote to the church and ended up getting baptismal , marriage and death records for a brick wall on my great grandfather and his family on both sides . I was able to go further back then ever before! Sometimes you get genealogical help in places you never think of .
New to this adventure, your videos are confirming my approach to researching and documenting our what is hopefully to become family our tree. I am a database type instead of spreadsheet for data collection and indexing. Your folder organization is very much like what I am setting up when entering an individual's record in the never ending updating of the design of the database. The advantage I see in using a database is for searching with keywords for the documents and photos that I have setup in folders for the individuals on my computer. When the code creates the Image or Document folder for the individual (I create a separate folder for each type) I can create tags or keywords associated with the file along with a clickable link that can open the file with it's associated application. The idea that you mentioned about a main research document is something that I have not implemented and feel that is a very good idea and should be in the top of my sort order when the list of files is presented when a record is shown for each individual. I would appreciate any ideas that you may be willing to share about using personal databases for genealogy documenting. Also I would be willing to share a copy of the database with people that are on the Windows platform. Thank you for your information.
Hi Garry, Here are a couple of videos that goes into detail about my filing system. They are a little bit older, but it is still valid information. Good Filing From the Start ruclips.net/video/7whvacUyLHM/видео.html, How to Create Great Research Notes ruclips.net/video/cy1pXCTYxS8/видео.html, and How to Create a Genealogy Research Notes Template in MS Word ruclips.net/video/JSx8s8Ku2Qc/видео.html Welcome to Genealogy TV. I think you'll like it here.
With a large screen, press the keyboard Microsoft icon and direction arrow (left, right) and you will have a split-screen. This saves money and space. For files, I use PDF and store them on an external hard drive and then print to share as wanted. Finally, a clean workspace as suggesting is a must.
I always learn something new with each of your videos. I was just saying to my son I needed to add a 3rd monitor, he thought I was a bit over the top. only to tune in and see you have 3, ok so we are over the top, I’ll take it. Thank you for this video on my list to watch again.
Thank you! What great organizational tips! I noticed in your folders you have a folder for Fitzgerald surname. My Mom was a Fitzgerald! Originally from the Dingle Peninsula of Ireland, they made their way to Ravenna, OH then to Evansville, IN and then to Sidney, OH. Many of them were glass blowers.
Thank you! This is validation How I am keeping files. I do have a somewhat complete master list of surnames, with all the people with that surname/maiden names. It helps me see at a glance what I have found on the ancestors I have. By the way I think your wallpaper is the same or close to what I put in my California home… Thanks for all the help!
Totally awesome. I haven't touched my ancestry 'notes' for years because I needed a plan for organization. This has helped so much. Now to implement it. I'll be checking our your other videos for sure!
Great video. I would love to see a live demonstration of all of these things in practice over the course of a research session, perhaps an hour or two. Eg, entering data into your research plan/log, updating the research notes, saving images to your file structure, crafting citations, etc. Then a comparison with what you do for basic research questions that don't require extensive plans/notes, eg, just finding a burial location. I'm also curious if you use any kind of private software to store your tree vs online at Ancestry only, or if you make regular backups to GEDCOM?
Thanks for the compliments. Interesting ideas for the live demo. I'm working on something this might work for. More on that in a few weeks. Private software? I use Family Tree Maker sometimes, but 90% of what I do is online at the various services. I use Ancestry for my primary tree. I use word for my Research Notes. That's an entirely different conversation.
I love your binders and am curious where you get them. I am more apt to stick with a system if it not only is organized but also if it looks organized. If my research looks nice, I can keep it out and handy. Yours look like they are 3". Is that right? I tried searching online, but I'm finding 1 1/2 or 2". Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can't get enough of your videos, watching and re-watching!
It absolutely will! I started this journey with a 13” MacBook Air. Quickly learned I needed more real estate, and got an inexpensive monitor. Works great to have trees on one side and open docs on the other. I like to open multiple docs to verify a new person, and the extra space is essential. But now you’ve got me eyeing that third one….hmmm…can you have too many monitors?? 😂. Great video, Connie, thanks for the ideas.
My retirement goal is to move down South to a 4-bed so I can have an office again just for my genealogy and to be a Connie, a Cousin Russ and a Larry Jones all in one!
@@GenealogyTV Thank you for making my morning! I watch you religiously and love the episodes about Rebecca Henley! A woman ahead of her time! Is she your favorite ancestor?
NO! I try to do as much as I can digitally. I have some paper files that are originals, but otherwise, everything is digital. It will be easier to share with archives and libraries after I'm gone. Thanks for the compliment.
You don't have to be a Latter Day Saint to go to a Ward and tell them you'd like to start ur genealogy search and there's a good chance someone might offer to help you.
We, my mom and I used to go all the time and we are not LDS. The people in our Family History Library were so nice and friendly. Back in the microfilm days, we went in enough that I was teaching the new volunteers how to use the microfilm printers, lol
Thank you for this very helpful video. I am rather scattered in my research, so this is so useful. One thing I noticed was that in each folder for an ancestor, you combine images, plus documents. Do you find this makes each folder very large and unwieldy if it's an ancestor with lots of info available? I file much the same as you, but have separated documents and images. Now I am thinking of combining them, but am concerned about the folder sizes. Thanks
Excellent, thank you. I believe this will help with a few brick walls I currently have. Are there any specific suggestions for walls that are pre 1850 where census records are less specific on individuals in households?
Yes... compare the information from various records in Excel spreadsheets. We went through these lessons in the Genealogy TV Academy a few weeks ago in the Live Classroom (via Zoom). The recordings and worksheets are available there if that is something you are interested in. Go to genealogytv.org/about-genealogy-tv-academy/ to learn more.
I really need to get my files in order they are a mess. They are everywhere under everything with first names last names numbers you name it. The 200-year rule is excellent advice too.
Even if you make a bunch of notebooks or file boxes and sort everything by surname, then when you are working on a line, go to that surname box and it will be easier. It is a lifetime habit. I've been doing this for about 45 years now and I am still going through files and adding stuff I find to my digital files.
@@GenealogyTV In fact I started going through them last night. You are teaching me discipline! Another is the research notes. If I find a record I'll add it but I never keep notes as to where I've looked. Then I go back to that same person later and realize that I'm wasting my time because I've already searched those places. I love your methodology! Please keep it coming.
I used to file everything on the computer as a Family then each child blah blah. Now, I just file everything in groups. 1850 Censuses, Marriage Records, Divorce, Birth, Delayed Birth *Those are super important. I mean how many delayed births does one family need. A huge concern of mine due to 1 major Brickwall and I am so aware of the British Home Children Era.
Ms Connie - you are amazing! Thanks for all the help you provide. I'm wondering how to create your own tree offline? There are so many branches, I get lost adding marriages, locations, etc. Is there private software available to fill-in-the-blanks? I too am from NC and am new to this so I get easily confused. Would eventually like to create a wall map of sorts (like a world map in a classroom - a pull down shade look-a-like of some sort). Is that possible? And another question - how to find cremation records? I am finding no headstones for many loved ones. Some I have personal knowledge that were not buried. And finally, how to find location of event? Especially marriages and divorces? All I know for certain happened in the US, but if no info is available where I thought it should be, where to start looking? I hope I am making sense. Please stay safe and well! Thanks again.
Miss Wanda. I have time to answer just a couple of your questions. I use Family Tree Maker software occasionally. You can make online trees private, if you’re using Ancestry or a other paid subscription. So you really don’t need software, that’s your choice. You cannot make it private if you were on FamilySearch. There are large format printing companies out there. You might consider my private coaching service if you need help. Learn more at GenealogyTV.org.
Do you print everything that you find for your family like birth certificates, marriage license . Etc census records to keep I. Your binders. If not what do you keep in the binders
I don't print anything anymore. I'm trying to get out of the paper business and save some trees along the way. The only thing I keep in binders are original documents that I have in my possession. These are things that have been handed down to me over the years. Plus I would not have room for all those printed documents/binders in my house. Digital is the way to go... and have backups in the cloud somewhere like Google Drive, DropBox or some other place.
Thank you for this clip! Do you have Marion Knox 1485-1545 or Sir George Knox Lord of Armanwell 1460-1536 from Scotland in your tree? they are my grandparents.
No. If you were at the information access level channel membership, you have access to the handouts. Go to RUclips.com/Genealogy TV/community and scroll down and look for the posts that say EARLY RELEASE + HANDOUTS then open the post and click on the link for the handout. Thanks for supporting GTV.
It looks like you are at the right membership level. While signed into your Google account, go to ruclips.net/user/GenealogyTVCommunity. Scroll down and you'll see a post that says EARLY RELEASE + HANDOUT for this episode. Open that post and there is a link to the handout.
I have enjoyed and have learned a lot from your videos. I was wondering if you had any sugestions for Masonic records. I have a Granduncle who was a Mason and have no idea where to look for his records. There are no symbols on his head stone and a may be the last family meber alive that knows he was a Mason.
That’s a good idea for a video. You might try the local historical society, or genealogical Society‘s. You might also try looking on Ancestry specifically for associations like that. Use the keyword Mason or masonic in the search field on the card catalog.
Wonderful teaching! Thank you! Do you use the Family Tree Maker program associated with Ancestry? If so, I’m desperate for help & would gladly pay for help in trying to resolve a merging problem between the app and Ancestry. I tried contacting FTM several times, but they were no help. Thank you.
Hi GMA, Yes I use FTM from time to time but I'm not an expert at it. I've used it for years off and on. I do take consultations for research education, but I'm not comfortable enough to help you with FTM. I have had issues with it in the past. What I had to do was backup my trees. Uninstall FTM. Then download a newer version of it and reinstall it. Then import the backups of the trees. If you are having issues with merging family lines, I can't speak to that. Good luck. I hope you can resolve it.
@@GenealogyTV Thanks so much for your reply. I tried earlier to do what you suggested, but it didn’t help with my issues. Do you have a recommendation for any programs that might work well? Do you use a specific program? I would like to make copies of my genealogy on Ancestry, but cannot figure out how to do that. You are so kind to respond and such an expert teaching genealogy online. Thank you so very much. My best to you. Jill Dyches (Gma)
3 different types of searches... like from the card catalog, from profile, hints, targeted search, different names spellings, removing names, searching by location only... you get to pick how you search... but try three different ways, whatever make sense for your scenario.
At 72 I am just getting interested in creating a family tree. I have several questions. I went to court and had my name changed from Mary Frances to Mary-Frann. Do I document and how? Also, I didn't know that I should use my maiden name and got my DNA done under my married name. How do I change that? And...I had a second marriage with a divorce after two years. Can I omit that part of my life? There were no children. Thank you for your time and expertise.
Hi Mary-Fran. We always us our birth name as the primary name in our trees. The DNA name is not important as long as you attach it to you in your tree. If you are on Ancestry, you can add another name fact with other names, but keep your birth name as the priority and the other names will become alternate names. You can disconnect the marriage you don’t want to keep online. However if you had children from this marriage I strongly suggest you keep it online for future generations.
Ok, so I keep my tree private because people tend to take your info and pics and do not bother to contact you at all. Then they take your info and copy to their tree that has many errors because they do not do any research at all on their own and copy from others with same errors and when you say something they get indignant. There is a lady that to this day has my GGGrandfather married to his daughter. I would love to contact with others researching the same families if they would also share but that is not always the case. One lady told me her family wanted to keep their info private but she wanted everything I have .I do share with those that ask me. So with this said, to OPEN or NOT OPEN? That is the question.
I hear you. Having a public tree kind of means you need to just roll with it and that you are uploading this information for anyone to use as they wish. For those who are serious about genealogy (hobby or not) will discover the truth and the original sources during their research. Hang in there. You're not alone in your frustration, many feel the same way. I just hope that you have given the rights to your private tree to someone in your family, so all your hard work is not lost after you're gone. I have added my daughter to my account for that very reason.
What if your research question is broad for ex. I am looking for information on my father's side. When I ask that side no one knows anything. There is a lot of people with the same last name. So how do I go around knowing I am on the right track (that I am getting the right facts).
Unless you are looking for a biological parent, your research question should have a name, event, date, and place that all correspond, if possible. Even if the dates and places are estimated. Ex. Who was John Doe's father, born about 1908, possibly in SD?
Dont you find that when you publish your tree and you are still researching - your results come back to your own tree?? I have deliberately made my tree private so when the results come back they are not what I have uploaded.
I added my husband to my name on my tree. Then I clicked on his name to add information. I added his daughter, but it did not give me the option of adding another mother. How do I edit this? I haven't figured it out yet, and it shows her as my daughter instead of my step-daughter. I love having her called my daughter, but I figure this will be confusing if I leave it.
I made the error of uploading a partial tree with just my parents and their parents on Family Search years ago to see if it would help me. That partial tree is so screwed up with so many errors and people that have no relation to me whatsoever because I had no Idea that on Family Search people can take your tree and Delete your info, Add, Change anything they feel like it and do not have to post the source or reason. They are supposed to but they do NOT. Worst part you can NOT delete the tree. Once you post it belongs to Family Search. Every time I look at that tree I cringe. I keep everything on Ancestry.
You can go in and edit the errors you have on the FamilySearch tree. I realize that may be too much, but I'm just throwing it out there, that you can fix it.
Did you enjoy this week's video? Connie has tons of videos to help you go further, faster, and factually with your family history research!
Check out Top 30 Free Genealogy Websites to get your resources together to take the first step on your Genealogy Journey! ruclips.net/video/q7LBSIB8cWE/видео.html
I have been off and on over the years with my research, I am still a newbie due to lack of consistency. I learn so much from your videos and appreciate you sharing your knowledge. You have been helping me stay organized and focused, especially on better note taking (it is so easy to get caught up in clicking green leaves and then its a mess to go back through).
I can totally appreciate your comment. Sometimes it’s just fun to chase the leafy hints, but the real research comes with focus.
Boy did I need this video! I never formally identified a particular research goal, so I was always hopping all over the place, thinking I'd covered all the bases. Of course, I'd get distracted, frustrated, or go to an "easier person" on the tree. Your Trifecta Strategy is brilliant! Connie, you always rejuvenate us. Thanks for that!
Fantastic. Thanks.
Connie keep pushing the envelope...we are tired of being babied by the field! Thank you.
Thank you.
That Is Funny! No spoon feeding here!
??
Connie, this refers to an earlier video. I found one of my persons in 1900 census working as a cook in a hotel. Then I found her again in city directories. I added a FLOATING TREE for the female proprietor of the hotel to park some FAN details, and was able to find more owner details in an 1898 city directory. I've add more details in my RESEARCH NOTES inc hotel advertisement from city directory, googled street address, and found historic info from city files. Just a snippet of time for my person but since 1880 (found her in census), my person learned to read, moved from Virginia to Connecticut, and learned a profession. You and Christa Cowan teach master classes in genealogy and I watch your videos over all the time. Thank you very much.
Excellent research. Thanks so much for watching and all of the compliments. I really appreciate it.
Connie has been a great help to me over the last several months as I've researched my wife's DNA family, as an adoptee, and because of closed adoptions in Arizona, we had no idea who the biological parents were. I've used her strategies and they work. Are my research notes perfect, no but they are definitely better than they originally were. What Connie says about other member trees is correct, don't trust them. But I will admit I've looked and used them for DNA matching of cousins and then I go back and do my research to verify the relationship. I have found inconsistencies, missing family members, kids that weren't recorded because they died in between census records. but I can report I believe I know who her father is and a little about the family and I also believe I know who the mother is even though the mother never took a DNA test. So as I've told you before Connie, thank you and look for my email to schedule an hour with you.
Wow. What a nice thing to say. I’m so glad you are making progress. You made my day.
Good luck Matt & congratulations on your findings of your wife's peeps.
Ditto
Another great video, Connie! I love the personal touch with this one. I felt as if I was there with you at your kitchen table drinking coffee! Hahaha
You were. 😀
this was terrific!! you helped to get me back on track. and, multiple monitors was a lightbulb moment for me. I got the extra monitor I had in the closet and set it up,, why didn't I think of this before??!! Thank YOU!
Excellent. Once you start working with two monitors, you will never go back.
THANK YOU!!! This segment has validated so many of my processes and has added some great further takeaways to help me organize. 👍🏻
Excellent. 😀
Connie, love your content! Have you considered doing an episode on writing your family history? Forgive me if you already covered this topic.
I have not. I’m not sure it’s a real popular subject. Most people want to play on ancestry. I’ll give it some thought.
@@GenealogyTV I would love a video on writing my family history!! Count me in!
Honestly I have ALWAYS needed someone to do this kind of video!!! This is insanely helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
This is a great overview! For people who do genealogy as a hobby, and take periods of time away from different research projects, having good research notes can help you pick up where you left off. We deal with a lot of people, dates, and places when doing research. We can't expect to remember it all.
Thanks
I love all your videos, I've always had issues with how I store files on documents but I finally found the way that works for me. I now have folders on my computer with the format using the Ancestral Reference Numbering System like "[surname], [forenames] [index number]". Along my sidebar they're in number order and then i have a view in alphabetical order. For example my 2x great grandfather has a folder called "Land, Edward [24]" and all his children except my great grandfather have a letter at the end like "Land, Amabel [24a]" and then an additional letter for their children and so on. I save documents as "Land, Edward [24] 1911 Census", always focusing on the head of the household if there's multiple people on the document, I reference this in my research notes and I have a citation document for each document with those labels. Apparently it sounds pretty complicated when I discuss it with my partner but I've really got in the flow with this method. Thanks for your videos, they really help me stop stressing at my brick walls and the more i rewatch them the more confident I get with my genealogy.
Fantastic. Do what works for you... but also think about my 200 year rule... _Would someone 200 years from now be able to navigate your records easily?_
THANK YOU! I always gain a lot of insights from your videos, but for me & where I am with regards to experience, this was, without a doubt, the most informative video I have viewed. Thank you!
Wow. Excellent. Thanks for sharing!
Really enjoyed this video. Watched it twice now, to make sure I caught everything. I currently am going over my tree, person by person, to ensure it is accurate. I do have a couple of questions.
1. Do you do the whole research process for every person you add to your tree? (i.e. aunts, uncles, cousins, all their descendants, etc.)
2. Do you do a FAN Club spreadsheet/log for every person or just your brick walls?
3. Do you keep research notes for every person you have in your tree? (including the extended family members)
Thank you again for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience with all of us. It is appreciated more than you know, especially by those of us that want the most accurate & factual trees we can have.
Hi April. Great questions and thanks for supporting the channel. Here we go...
1. No... just the direct line (that's my choice). HOWEVER, if I need those extended family members to help tie records or evidence together, then yes I will. Typically this is for brick wall busting.
2.Just brick walls... and only if I need to visualize the fan club.
3. No. There is not enough time in my life to do that. I keep detailed research notes on my direct line ancestors that I'm actively researching or anyone that I have a special interest in researching. I did one on a little girl who died at 13 (on my husbands side) just because I was intrigued by the few little diaries she left behind. I built a story around that little girl. So there is an exception. I then posted that story on the Knox Facebook page. For the most part, I want to prove my direct lines, so I do keep detailed notes on those. I have a ton of work to do as I don't have them for all my lines. I have more work to do there. I hope that answered your questions. Just know that it is a personal choice, life is short, and do what rocks your world!
Thank you, Connie! This video has invaluable information for me. My siblings and our Dad were meeting in Tuscon in October for a reunion. Now, we are meeting in Phoenix for a memorial. My older sister passed away 3 weeks ago. So I want to put together information from my tree to present to everyone. Using your guidelines for organization will work well for me. Thank you. Also, in this video when you demonstrated the split screen, you had the database "Adams County, Colorado, U.S., Marriage License Index, 1960-2010" displayed on the right half of the screen. Well, my wife and I are in that index for 19 Sep 1981. So, yes, our 40th anniversary is on Sunday. LOL. Thanks so much for all you do for us novice genealogists!!
How ironic. I just grabbed that Adams County CO screen off the cuff. I have no relation. Sorry to hear about your sister. Hang in there.
Excellent video! I found your youtube channel a few months ago and love the helpful tips! Three years ago, I was on a travel forum and someone gave me a link to a church in Germany. I wrote to the church and ended up getting baptismal , marriage and death records for a brick wall on my great grandfather and his family on both sides . I was able to go further back then ever before! Sometimes you get genealogical help in places you never think of .
Great research. Nicely done. Thanks for watching Genealogy TV and thanks for the compliments.
Connie, you really are amazing! Thank you for sharing your experience in these helpful and informative videos.
Ah thanks Jonathan.
New to this adventure, your videos are confirming my approach to researching and documenting our what is hopefully to become family our tree.
I am a database type instead of spreadsheet for data collection and indexing. Your folder organization is very much like what I am setting up when entering an individual's record in the never ending updating of the design of the database. The advantage I see in using a database is for searching with keywords for the documents and photos that I have setup in folders for the individuals on my computer. When the code creates the Image or Document folder for the individual (I create a separate folder for each type) I can create tags or keywords associated with the file along with a clickable link that can open the file with it's associated application.
The idea that you mentioned about a main research document is something that I have not implemented and feel that is a very good idea and should be in the top of my sort order when the list of files is presented when a record is shown for each individual.
I would appreciate any ideas that you may be willing to share about using personal databases for genealogy documenting. Also I would be willing to share a copy of the database with people that are on the Windows platform.
Thank you for your information.
Hi Garry, Here are a couple of videos that goes into detail about my filing system. They are a little bit older, but it is still valid information. Good Filing From the Start ruclips.net/video/7whvacUyLHM/видео.html, How to Create Great Research Notes ruclips.net/video/cy1pXCTYxS8/видео.html, and How to Create a Genealogy Research Notes Template in MS Word ruclips.net/video/JSx8s8Ku2Qc/видео.html
Welcome to Genealogy TV. I think you'll like it here.
Sending a Five star thank-you for this excellent video!
Ah thanks. And thanks for purchasing the handout on GenealogyTV.org. I assume you are the same person by the same name. Thanks for your support.
With a large screen, press the keyboard Microsoft icon and direction arrow (left, right) and you will have a split-screen. This saves money and space. For files, I use PDF and store them on an external hard drive and then print to share as wanted. Finally, a clean workspace as suggesting is a must.
Great tips. Thank you.
I always learn something new with each of your videos. I was just saying to my son I needed to add a 3rd monitor, he thought I was a bit over the top. only to tune in and see you have 3, ok so we are over the top, I’ll take it. Thank you for this video on my list to watch again.
Glad I could help justify your 3rd monitor, LOL. It is a lifesaver for me.
Great video. Thank you and your voice is very calming to listen too.
Thank you! What great organizational tips! I noticed in your folders you have a folder for Fitzgerald surname. My Mom was a Fitzgerald! Originally from the Dingle Peninsula of Ireland, they made their way to Ravenna, OH then to Evansville, IN and then to Sidney, OH. Many of them were glass blowers.
Well I have very few Fitzgerald’s in my family.
Thank you! This is validation How I am keeping files. I do have a somewhat complete master list of surnames, with all the people with that surname/maiden names.
It helps me see at a glance what I have found on the ancestors I have.
By the way I think your wallpaper is the same or close to what I put in my California home…
Thanks for all the help!
Good to know. Glad we think alike in more ways than one. 😀
Totally awesome. I haven't touched my ancestry 'notes' for years because I needed a plan for organization. This has helped so much. Now to implement it. I'll be checking our your other videos for sure!
Excellent. You might want to see Start Over or Verify... which is more about getting organized. ruclips.net/video/u61c69VsekU/видео.html
Thank you Connie, answered my questions perfectly. Love your work.
Thank you.
Great video. I would love to see a live demonstration of all of these things in practice over the course of a research session, perhaps an hour or two. Eg, entering data into your research plan/log, updating the research notes, saving images to your file structure, crafting citations, etc.
Then a comparison with what you do for basic research questions that don't require extensive plans/notes, eg, just finding a burial location.
I'm also curious if you use any kind of private software to store your tree vs online at Ancestry only, or if you make regular backups to GEDCOM?
Thanks for the compliments. Interesting ideas for the live demo. I'm working on something this might work for. More on that in a few weeks. Private software? I use Family Tree Maker sometimes, but 90% of what I do is online at the various services. I use Ancestry for my primary tree. I use word for my Research Notes. That's an entirely different conversation.
Love these suggestions. Thank you, Connie!!! ❤❤
Thanks Karen.
You are correct about the multiple screens. It is almost impossible to get by with one after having two. You do need a video card that will allow it.
Thanks Michael.
Really great video!! So helpful. I like the change in locations through out the video too.
Awesome, thank you!
Great reminder video. Thank you. Great job. Love your videos.
Thanks June. You’re the best.
Yes, I work with right and left easily
Beautiful home. Thanks for sharing. Great vlog again.
Your filing system is very efficient. I need to redo mine.
Thank you.
I wouldn't even know how to use two or three screens. So much to learn.
Fantastic summary!
Thank you
Great Video!
Thanks Vincent. 😁
Thank you Connie! Your videos are so helpful!
Thanks Annette.
I love your binders and am curious where you get them. I am more apt to stick with a system if it not only is organized but also if it looks organized. If my research looks nice, I can keep it out and handy.
Yours look like they are 3". Is that right? I tried searching online, but I'm finding 1 1/2 or 2".
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can't get enough of your videos, watching and re-watching!
Great information, thanks for sharing.
Thanks
Thank for another helpful video!
My pleasure.
Great Video. Lots of useful tips. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for your support Kathy!
Wonder if it’ll work with a laptop? Can I get a regular monitor and connect it?
Yes! You can! I have an extra screen with my laptop.
Just search for laptop monitor. Mine is ASUS.
I’ve seen many do it. You can always ask you local big box store like Best Buy for advice.
It absolutely will! I started this journey with a 13” MacBook Air. Quickly learned I needed more real estate, and got an inexpensive monitor. Works great to have trees on one side and open docs on the other. I like to open multiple docs to verify a new person, and the extra space is essential. But now you’ve got me eyeing that third one….hmmm…can you have too many monitors?? 😂. Great video, Connie, thanks for the ideas.
@@sherryledbetter1856 alright. Thanks! I will look into that. Trying to split screen is a little different on a 15’’.
Great as always.
Thanks Deb. And thanks foe your continued support.
My retirement goal is to move down South to a 4-bed so I can have an office again just for my genealogy and to be a Connie, a Cousin Russ and a Larry Jones all in one!
LOL... I wish you luck in your retirement journey.
@@GenealogyTV Thank you for making my morning! I watch you religiously and love the episodes about Rebecca Henley! A woman ahead of her time! Is she your favorite ancestor?
Love your videos. Do you printout all the documents and keep paper copies?
NO! I try to do as much as I can digitally. I have some paper files that are originals, but otherwise, everything is digital. It will be easier to share with archives and libraries after I'm gone. Thanks for the compliment.
Such great info TY
I have worked on my family for 50 yrs.. now I have most everything on Ancestry.. so You keep docs on your PC as well as Ancestry??
Yes... unless it is like census records where you can find them everywhere. Especially documents that I have found in libraries, archives and such.
You don't have to be a Latter Day Saint to go to a Ward and tell them you'd like to start ur genealogy search and there's a good chance someone might offer to help you.
Agreed
We, my mom and I used to go all the time and we are not LDS. The people in our Family History Library were so nice and friendly. Back in the microfilm days, we went in enough that I was teaching the new volunteers how to use the microfilm printers, lol
I have 2 monitors AND a 37" TV attached to my PC!
And if you’re like me you’ll never go back
Thank you for this very helpful video. I am rather scattered in my research, so this is so useful. One thing I noticed was that in each folder for an ancestor, you combine images, plus documents. Do you find this makes each folder very large and unwieldy if it's an ancestor with lots of info available? I file much the same as you, but have separated documents and images. Now I am thinking of combining them, but am concerned about the folder sizes. Thanks
If a folder becomes large I always create subfolders to organize documents. For example, probate documents might all be in a subfolder.
@@GenealogyTV thank you for the suggestion
Excellent, thank you. I believe this will help with a few brick walls I currently have. Are there any specific suggestions for walls that are pre 1850 where census records are less specific on individuals in households?
Yes... compare the information from various records in Excel spreadsheets. We went through these lessons in the Genealogy TV Academy a few weeks ago in the Live Classroom (via Zoom). The recordings and worksheets are available there if that is something you are interested in. Go to genealogytv.org/about-genealogy-tv-academy/ to learn more.
I really need to get my files in order they are a mess. They are everywhere under everything with first names last names numbers you name it. The 200-year rule is excellent advice too.
Even if you make a bunch of notebooks or file boxes and sort everything by surname, then when you are working on a line, go to that surname box and it will be easier. It is a lifetime habit. I've been doing this for about 45 years now and I am still going through files and adding stuff I find to my digital files.
@@GenealogyTV In fact I started going through them last night. You are teaching me discipline! Another is the research notes. If I find a record I'll add it but I never keep notes as to where I've looked.
Then I go back to that same person later and realize that I'm wasting my time because I've already searched those places. I love your methodology! Please keep it coming.
I used to file everything on the computer as a Family then each child blah blah. Now, I just file everything in groups. 1850 Censuses, Marriage Records, Divorce, Birth, Delayed Birth *Those are super important. I mean how many delayed births does one family need. A huge concern of mine due to 1 major Brickwall and I am so aware of the British Home Children Era.
Ms Connie - you are amazing! Thanks for all the help you provide. I'm wondering how to create your own tree offline? There are so many branches, I get lost adding marriages, locations, etc. Is there private software available to fill-in-the-blanks? I too am from NC and am new to this so I get easily confused. Would eventually like to create a wall map of sorts (like a world map in a classroom - a pull down shade look-a-like of some sort). Is that possible?
And another question - how to find cremation records? I am finding no headstones for many loved ones. Some I have personal knowledge that were not buried.
And finally, how to find location of event? Especially marriages and divorces? All I know for certain happened in the US, but if no info is available where I thought it should be, where to start looking? I hope I am making sense.
Please stay safe and well! Thanks again.
Miss Wanda. I have time to answer just a couple of your questions. I use Family Tree Maker software occasionally. You can make online trees private, if you’re using Ancestry or a other paid subscription. So you really don’t need software, that’s your choice. You cannot make it private if you were on FamilySearch. There are large format printing companies out there. You might consider my private coaching service if you need help. Learn more at GenealogyTV.org.
@@GenealogyTV ~ Thanks!
Do you print everything that you find for your family like birth certificates, marriage license . Etc census records to keep I. Your binders. If not what do you keep in the binders
I don't print anything anymore. I'm trying to get out of the paper business and save some trees along the way. The only thing I keep in binders are original documents that I have in my possession. These are things that have been handed down to me over the years. Plus I would not have room for all those printed documents/binders in my house. Digital is the way to go... and have backups in the cloud somewhere like Google Drive, DropBox or some other place.
Thanks for joining the channel membership!
Thank you for this clip! Do you have Marion Knox 1485-1545 or Sir George Knox Lord of Armanwell 1460-1536 from Scotland in your tree? they are my grandparents.
Your GRANDPARENTS???? How old ARE you??? : )))
No... not yet... but my husband once told me he believed his line was from Scotland. Anything is possible.
Karen Brandon.... LOL
@@GenealogyTV I have seven cousins "Knox" in DNA matches with Ancestry.
I joined at the info access level. Do I have to pay for the handouts? They all have prices on them.
No. If you were at the information access level channel membership, you have access to the handouts. Go to RUclips.com/Genealogy TV/community and scroll down and look for the posts that say EARLY RELEASE + HANDOUTS then open the post and click on the link for the handout. Thanks for supporting GTV.
Here’s that link again, I can’t seem to edit this comment I made. RUclips.com/genealogytv/community.
Okay, I can not find out how to get the handouts from the community tab.
It looks like you are at the right membership level. While signed into your Google account, go to ruclips.net/user/GenealogyTVCommunity. Scroll down and you'll see a post that says EARLY RELEASE + HANDOUT for this episode. Open that post and there is a link to the handout.
If there is an older handout that you need, let me know and I’ll repost it in the community tab.
Are those "notebooks" or are they 3-ring binders?
Technically three ring binder’s. Where I’m from those are also considered notebooks.
I have enjoyed and have learned a lot from your videos. I was wondering if you had any sugestions for Masonic records. I have a Granduncle who was a Mason and have no idea where to look for his records. There are no symbols on his head stone and a may be the last family meber alive that knows he was a Mason.
That’s a good idea for a video. You might try the local historical society, or genealogical Society‘s. You might also try looking on Ancestry specifically for associations like that. Use the keyword Mason or masonic in the search field on the card catalog.
Generally how long does it take to research someone else's tree? I'm sure it varies, months, years?
Yes it all depends on the tree and your ambition.
Wonderful teaching! Thank you! Do you use the Family Tree Maker program associated with Ancestry? If so, I’m desperate for help & would gladly pay for help in trying to resolve a merging problem between the app and Ancestry. I tried contacting FTM several times, but they were no help. Thank you.
Hi GMA, Yes I use FTM from time to time but I'm not an expert at it. I've used it for years off and on. I do take consultations for research education, but I'm not comfortable enough to help you with FTM. I have had issues with it in the past. What I had to do was backup my trees. Uninstall FTM. Then download a newer version of it and reinstall it. Then import the backups of the trees. If you are having issues with merging family lines, I can't speak to that. Good luck. I hope you can resolve it.
@@GenealogyTV Thanks so much for your reply. I tried earlier to do what you suggested, but it didn’t help with my issues. Do you have a recommendation for any programs that might work well? Do you use a specific program? I would like to make copies of my genealogy on Ancestry, but cannot figure out how to do that.
You are so kind to respond and such an expert teaching genealogy online. Thank you so very much. My best to you. Jill Dyches (Gma)
Is it just me or am I missing the third piece of the Trifecta Strategy (3x3x3)....3 places / 3 ways / and then what?
3 different types of searches... like from the card catalog, from profile, hints, targeted search, different names spellings, removing names, searching by location only... you get to pick how you search... but try three different ways, whatever make sense for your scenario.
At 72 I am just getting interested in creating a family tree. I have several questions. I went to court and had my name changed from Mary Frances to Mary-Frann. Do I document and how? Also, I didn't know that I should use my maiden name and got my DNA done under my married name. How do I change that? And...I had a second marriage with a divorce after two years. Can I omit that part of my life? There were no children. Thank you for your time and expertise.
Hi Mary-Fran. We always us our birth name as the primary name in our trees. The DNA name is not important as long as you attach it to you in your tree. If you are on Ancestry, you can add another name fact with other names, but keep your birth name as the priority and the other names will become alternate names. You can disconnect the marriage you don’t want to keep online. However if you had children from this marriage I strongly suggest you keep it online for future generations.
Ok, so I keep my tree private because people tend to take your info and pics and do not bother to contact you at all. Then they take your info and copy to their tree that has many errors because they do not do any research at all on their own and copy from others with same errors and when you say something they get indignant. There is a lady that to this day has my GGGrandfather married to his daughter. I would love to contact with others researching the same families if they would also share but that is not always the case. One lady told me her family wanted to keep their info private but she wanted everything I have .I do share with those that ask me. So with this said, to OPEN or NOT OPEN? That is the question.
I hear you. Having a public tree kind of means you need to just roll with it and that you are uploading this information for anyone to use as they wish. For those who are serious about genealogy (hobby or not) will discover the truth and the original sources during their research.
Hang in there. You're not alone in your frustration, many feel the same way.
I just hope that you have given the rights to your private tree to someone in your family, so all your hard work is not lost after you're gone. I have added my daughter to my account for that very reason.
What if your research question is broad for ex. I am looking for information on my father's side. When I ask that side no one knows anything. There is a lot of people with the same last name. So how do I go around knowing I am on the right track (that I am getting the right facts).
Unless you are looking for a biological parent, your research question should have a name, event, date, and place that all correspond, if possible. Even if the dates and places are estimated. Ex. Who was John Doe's father, born about 1908, possibly in SD?
Dont you find that when you publish your tree and you are still researching - your results come back to your own tree?? I have deliberately made my tree private so when the results come back they are not what I have uploaded.
Interesting tip.
I added my husband to my name on my tree. Then I clicked on his name to add information. I added his daughter, but it did not give me the option of adding another mother. How do I edit this? I haven't figured it out yet, and it shows her as my daughter instead of my step-daughter. I love having her called my daughter, but I figure this will be confusing if I leave it.
What this video about How to Fix Relationships on Ancestry. ruclips.net/video/aLqzsRuc0jw/видео.html
I can't watch this video because the advert at the beginning won't 'Skip' - it insists on playing all of it!
Sorry. I don’t control the ads RUclips puts in there. This is why I bought YT Premium. Best investment ever since I watch so much RUclips.
Alas, I do not have the space to store notebooks, so I have to use filing cabinets.
Just fantastic! I have something I'd like to share with you, where can I contact you?
Go to GenealogyTV.org and click the contact button tab.
HELP! I have a buddy who found out she’s 15% Jewish …she doesn’t know where that came from…how can she find out?
Good old fashioned genealogy research.
I made the error of uploading a partial tree with just my parents and their parents on Family Search years ago to see if it would help me. That partial tree is so screwed up with so many errors and people that have no relation to me whatsoever because I had no Idea that on Family Search people can take your tree and Delete your info, Add, Change anything they feel like it and do not have to post the source or reason. They are supposed to but they do NOT. Worst part you can NOT delete the tree. Once you post it belongs to Family Search. Every time I look at that tree I cringe. I keep everything on Ancestry.
You can go in and edit the errors you have on the FamilySearch tree. I realize that may be too much, but I'm just throwing it out there, that you can fix it.