www.Leazott.com

Organizing Your Thoughts                                                                   2016 05 01
Lesson 008...                                                                                                 Published Monthly

Scatter Brained...
At some point in time, you'll realize your data has become overwhelming...We all do.
There are so many people, and we find new lines to trace, saying to ourselves "Just one more".
But that leads to another one, and another, and another. And when we're stuck, we want a way out.
It never ends.

That's when we realize we need to become better organized.
Although we may have a good idea of what the family lines are, others don't.
Trying to explain six to ten generations or more to others may become somewhat entangled.

If it's jumbled in your presence, how will it be without you standing there to sort it for them?
Ancestral names are often re-used, and sometimes within one family! One key difference is details.

Differences in details can sometimes be the only thing that seperates two same name persons.
Birthyears and towns may be similar, or spouses and even death years or places.
When a detail difference is found, that will become how each are known.


Organizational Skills...
This isn't rocket science. In fact quite the opposite. It's basic seperation at each level.
Sorting is key to file systems, whether on paper or computer. Methods matter, not mediums.
The breakdown of information must be uniform for each item residing within each level of sorting.

Deciding What To Sort...
For purposes of this article, we'll stick to software discussions. That's how you see this, right?
Printed materials have their own methods, but above all-Protect them from elements and rodents.

Each brand of software has a core set of basic information values that people collect.
If you're only doing a direct-line ancestry of less than a hundred, time isn't so much a factor.
But in collecting data for thousands, deciding on a core set for comparisons is critical for most trees.

The obvious criterias should come first for each one of the subjects added.
Birth, baptismal, marriage and death dates and towns, spouses and children are all basics.
They should be incorporated as standard information whenever adding a new person to your tree.

Character Differences...
The larger your tree becomes, the more likely it is that same names will occur.
A way to quickly differentiate them is useful, if not necessary at times.

When the standard birth/death year doesn't separate well enough, there is another way.
You can add "Son of..." next to their name in the software to show up in searches.
This is helpful here on several persons with the same name/town/years.
An extreme situation, but it may be helpful to you in a clinch.


Even The Score...
After deciding what your basic needs are, the next step is becoming equal.
The longer you've put this off, the more necessary it is, and the longer it will take.

Not All Bad News...
In doing this, inadvertantly you will probably develop some new good habits.
Remembering the core set of information to glean whenever new subjects are added.
This will help you collect necessary data and sort additionals much faster than random methods.

The important thing to remember is that this is a step, not a finished product.
The goal in this step is to bring everyone in the tree to the same minimal level of data.
It can be repeated as many times as necessary whenever another universal need is decided on.

Recording that each person has recieved the attention for a given item is also necessary.
The software used here allows for an ascending/decending numeric order of notes for subjects.

That is, when an item is entered, a note is left in their file saying so (Birth-Done).
The list can then be selected at any time to show higher or lower order attention needs.
Approached in this way, it becomes a much simpler task to keep all persons at an equal state.


Nothing To Report...
Another method not commonly used, but of help to many is "negative data".
Example: If a person never married or had children, you might want to record "None" or "N/A".

To some, this may seem un-necessary or overstated.
However, consider the purpose of a family tree and it becomes clearer.
To bring information on ancestors to a present day family having evolved from that line.

Remember, negative results are still results.
Consider recording it as you would any other information.


Exception To The Rules...
There are always exceptions to the norm as to criteria preferences in personal projects.
Some might include things like specific ancestors accomplishment or destiny.
Another might be of a turning point in ones life or what led someone.

Also, when additional pieces of information present themselves, they should be added to the files.
Remember, the goal was to bring all up to a standard. Not to lower others to that standard.

These additional pieces of information may also become a standard at any time you feel the need.
You'll find that it becomes easier to find specific information types with practice in that area.
It doesn't take very long to become self educated finding information in a given criteria.


To Be Continued...
As everything in life is, it's time yet for another decision...
Whether the project is done, or if person information or even family size still needs expanding.

All of that is totally up to each tree manager to decide for themselves.
Needs and resources vary so widely that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all-answer.

Odds are however, that if you're reading this, then you're interested in continuing the project.
With that in mind, it's best to continue forward in as organized a method as you can muster.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Decide on a basic core set of data values.
The quantity or quality is up to your own discretion.

Second...
Keep an equal set of information for all subjects.
It'll make future advancement both faster and easier.

Third...
Save any incidental information as it presents itself.
It can be added or become a norm for all in the future.


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com