How to Organize Your Genealogy Papers: Tips from a Professional Organizer

Genealogy research can be a fascinating and rewarding hobby, but it can also be overwhelming. With so many documents to collect and organize, it’s easy to feel lost in a sea of paper. That’s where a professional organizer can come in handy.

A professional organizer can help you develop a system for organizing your genealogy papers that will make your research more efficient and enjoyable. Here are some tips from a professional organizer on how to get started:

1. Categorize Your Documents

The first step is to categorize your documents. This will help you to quickly find the information you need. You can categorize your documents by:

• Person: This is the most common way to categorize genealogy documents. You can create folders for each ancestor, and then subfolders for each generation.
• Document Type: Another way to categorize your documents is by document type. You can create folders for birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, census records, military records, and so on.
• Location: If you are researching a specific location, you can categorize your documents by location. For example, you could create folders for each county or state where your ancestors lived.

2. Create a Filing System

Once you have categorized your documents, you need to create a filing system. This will help you to keep your documents organized and easily accessible. There are many different ways to create a filing system. Here are a few ideas:

• Binders: Binders are a great way to store your genealogy papers. You can use different colored binders to categorize your documents, or you can use labels.
• File Folders: File folders are another good option for storing genealogy papers. You can use hanging file folders or regular file folders.
• Boxes: Boxes are a good option for storing genealogy papers that you don’t need to access frequently. You can label the boxes so you know what’s inside.

3. Store Your Genealogy Research

Once you have organized your genealogy papers, you need to store them in a safe and secure location. Here are some tips for storing your genealogy research:

• Keep Your Documents in a Cool, Dry Place: Heat and humidity can damage paper documents. Store your genealogy papers in a cool, dry place.
• Use Acid-Free Folders and Boxes: Acid-free folders and boxes will help to prevent your documents from deteriorating.
• Consider a Fireproof Safe: If you have valuable documents, you may want to consider storing them in a fireproof safe.

4. Back Up Your Research

It’s important to back up your genealogy research. This will protect you from losing your valuable information. There are many ways to back up your research. You can:

• Scan Your Documents: Scanning your documents will create digital copies that you can store on a computer or cloud storage service.
• Use a Genealogy Software Program: Genealogy software programs can help you to organize your research and create a digital family tree.
• Share Your Research with Family Members: You can share your genealogy research with family members so that it can be preserved for future generations.

Conclusion

Organizing your genealogy papers can be a daunting task, but it’s essential if you want to keep your research safe and accessible. By following these tips from a professional organizer, you can create a system that will make your research more efficient and enjoyable.