As I get started into this new year, I continue to remain focused on reducing the clutter I have in my genealogy files. A few days ago, I took some time to deconstruct a research binder I put together for a part of my genealogy research. This was a binder I initially created about 14 years ago while researching my stepmother’s family. I don’t think I’ve used it in at least 10 years! So, I had to deconstruct it and go digital.
This was my approach; I went through the binder and did the following:
- took out all the vital record copies I had and ensured they were digitally scanned
- the digital copies are attached to each person’s record in my family tree on Ancestry and if the person is deceased, on their FamilySearch Family Tree profile.
- if a vital record was available easily online, I got rid of the paper after digitizing. This family is from North Carolina and many North Carolina death certificates are available online both through Ancestry and FamilySearch – thus, they are readily accessible. I do download the digital versions from those sites as I need them, so I do not need to keep a physical copy.
- photocopies of pages from books, which I used as reference materials, were tossed. I keep pretty good sources so if I need to have it looked up again, I can contact a library that has the book and get help
When it comes to how I organize my digital files – as mentioned above, I do attach them to the person’s record in Ancestry and FamilySearch Family Tree. However, I also keep a copy in my “digital” filing cabinet in my Forever account ( again, all part of my master organization plan). This is what the filing cabinet looks like right now for this family branch.
I’m so pleased with my digital filing cabinet! In parallel, for the paper, after going through the binder, I took the few papers I needed to keep, made two folders as shown below, and these two folders are getting filed in my container I keep on a shelf in my bedroom for my paper genealogy materials. I’ll share a picture of that at a later date. Quite a bit of space saved right?
Now I need to do this for my many other binders I’ve not touched in years. But, at least I can say I made some progress! As I am doing the Organize 365 Sunday Basket system, I am working to make steady progress in reducing my paper clutter. One binder down, yet many more to go!
This is so interesting Taneya. I started this effort myself about 4 months ago! After 20 years, I realized I simply did not need all these print-outs hanging around my office. One of my best purchases was a bulk scanner–a Brother ADS-2000e which is superfast and even scans 2 sided.
My process is similar to yours–breaking down binders and making sure I have a digital copy before tossing. There was a lot of material from books and archives from earlier years that was not digitized.
I love all your organizational tips–please do keep sharing your recommendations!
Sorry we didnt get to do a lecture together yet, I am hoping at some point in the future we can make it happen.
Kind regards, Robyn
Hi Robyn – so glad to hear you are embarking on your digital organization journey too! It can be quite a task, but I think all of us who do it see the benefits pretty rapidly. Your bulk scanner will definitely be a great help to you. Thanks for liking my organizational tips. I’m very much trying to get myself more efficient and implementing the steps I share has helped a lot! Agreed about the lecture- maybe we can plan for it better next year! I didn’t have my act together for sure. 🙂