General Chat

Having spent most of today, re filing all my census/ people/ certs etc into 4 thick A4 binders.... and trying to squash them onto my shelf.... which is full of boxes of discs.. now mainly reduntant because Ancestry has it all [ bar the 41] .. plus another A4 full of 'bits and bobs' i 'might' need.... plus a pile on top of my drawers consisting of goodness knows what.... PLUS... several folders/ notebooks/ etc.. etc... etc... and have just shredded enough to fill a bin liner....... grrrrrrrrrrr...Sue xxx

had to use 6 folders and one ccccccase thing, cos I never chuck anything, incase it is relevant and I don't realise. I have a fortune in certs, also pics. I can never find anything. If I knock a file over those slidey things scatter everywhere....oh look at all those c's....I need an early night X

Same as lol I have a slowly expanding collection of 5 ring binders - all about to upgrade to lever arch files............. About 12 CDRs that I have stored images onto. The 1881 (pre Ancestry subs) .............. And an increasing pile of misc papers on desk. And I have NO shelf to put them on they are all piled next to desk LOL Oh yeah - and an album full of old photo's too ................. Not to mention all the stuff saved to the PC and all the emails filed on Outlook .

Hi Lems.... glad its not just me !!! Hubby was sat watching me trying to put it all in order..... he kept saying ' is that another certificate' ... then after saying it a few times he started saying that i needed certifying !!!! CHEEK !!! Lol, Sue x

er... i have 41/51/61/71/81/91 and 1901 yorks... plus a few for other counties ! wish i had more patience.... lol, sue. x

*makes mental note of Sue's census collection* Swap you for a pair of jeans lolol

Lol... i have a couple for durham and lancs too... that should equal a wardrobe full.... and would have, if i had waited for ancestry..... lol, sue x

Mine is mainly on the PC, but I do have an A4 wallet folder for each of my main families, a hardback file for certificates and more wallet folders for photographs. Then there are several CDs in a drawer, a pile of reference books and FH advice books, and seveal piles of data or reference papers that are not yet filed. I find it very difficult (always have) to concentrate on just one area of my research at once. It seems that every time I get stuck into one branch, some new contact or piece of info comes to light on another branch and I'm off chasing after that! No self-discipline, that's my trouble. LOL CB >|<

I kept saying if asked 'I want a cert for Christmas' they all look at me as if I am a Lemon :-( Oh and I have a box with scraps of papper I daren't throw away...just incase!

Right beside me on the floor 1 a4 dividing box file 1 documments case with notepads pens etc 1 magazine rack ( overful with goodness know what) but it may come in useful. notebook and pen beside laptop. just behind me. Small desk with numerous census all bought pre ancestry software cds extra pens paper etc. in another cupboard 2 lever arch files with certificates 2 more 1 one with OH family details/ 1 with my side. plus two more box files under dresser in hall and thats without thinking Sue

I have narrowed my search down to one missing relative, so there is not much of that. Previously I collected vast quantities of data, re 'just possibles', catalogues, magazines and the like That lot is altogether and you have to take the pressure with your legs to lift it. Happy days

PHEW....You lot are making me feel much better.... i might print this off, show hubby .... then watch him panic when he reads how much Gwynne has, lol. You sound like me CB... i am like a butterfly.... cannot stay in one place... trouble is i get confused with who is who.... so they are split into 4 arch binders now... all with their own ref no.... 2 for my grandma's and 2 for my grandad's.... i am sure i will still get confused though... because i have the same surnames appearing here there and everywhere... i just pray non of them end up being too closely related... though that would answer a few questions..... lol, sue xxx

Sue, this should made you feel better, I have 31 folder binders, 24 photo albums, plus two cert folders, 5 shelves full of 'family history books' 8 family tree mags folders, 2 rather large CD racks full of family tree discs of some sort. Oh, and of course my two rather large shelves that run round two walls of the room, which have storage boxes (piled 2/3 high) of notes, photos and anything else that I can not files) and then there is of course my tree on the PC, and just for good measures, there is the stack of 'working on at present' stack of papers beside me on the desk, lol.......I think I better leave it there, don't you lol.....lilly ps do you feel better now????

Blimey Lilly, I thought I was gonna be one of the worst!! 3 lever arch files 4 box files 5 A4 ring binders 2 certificate folders full box file 'to be done' 1861 London 1881 full box of CDs bookcase full of ref books pouffe full of magazines 3 photo albums tree pages blue tacked on wall fam tree maker with 1000+ people one day I will get on with it again! Maz. XX

My long suffering hubby has built me a custom sized set of shelves in our spare room housing ring binders, books, computer disks, filing boxes and loads more. He also bought me a desk as he was fed up with seeing me balancing my laptop on my knee whilst juggling certificates and folders, so now I have my own little corner and he never sees me!! Perhaps that was his plan all the time? Still I have also done his tree so he can't complain too much.

This is all too familiar but very reassuring. We have to keep adding to the furniture in our 'office' (aka. dining room) in order to store all my files. I also have a bookshelf for photo albums and 'History' books, 6 drawers full of useful bits of paper, charts and forms and a large box full of all sorts, such as medals, bibles, army belts and buttons and Bibles! Please tell my family that this is NOT excessive but ESSENTIAL ! Frances

eleven ring binders which include both our families, two of the binders are large ones. Then there are two shelves of reference books, FH magazines, FH society magazines, and a shelf of various discs. I haven't counted my photo albums as photography has been a hobby since my early teens so I must have about 40-50 photo albums, pre digital. The problem is exacerbated when you also have another hobby (card making and scrapbooking) which also takes a lot of storage space. Ann Glos

Maz , I didn't want to mention the rest of it, lol although it is kept quite tidy,( I have nicked my son's old bedroom,) I do have a couple more book cases, and there is my small bookcase (4 shelves) full stationary!!, I tell you what though, it is my favourite room in the house, my own space lol....hope you get well very soon Maz, take care.......Lilly

This is a little poem i received from a friend when she offered to help me file all mine away in time for xmas, as the old man is always moaning about my bits and bobs i leave around, A Genealogist's Christmas Eve 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse. The dining room table with clutter was spread With pedigree charts and with letters which said... 'Too bad about the data for which you wrote Sank in a storm on an ill fated boat.' Stacks of old copies of wills and the such Were proof that my work had become much too much. Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. And I at my table was ready to drop From work on my album with photos to crop. Christmas was here, and of such was my lot That presents and goodies and toys I forgot. Had I not been so busy with grandparent's wills, I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills. While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas cheer; I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years. While I was thus musing about my sad plight, A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright. Away to the window I flew in a flash, Tore open the drapes and I yanked up the sash. When what to my wondering eyes should appear? But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. Up to the housetop the reindeer they flew, With a sleigh full of toys, and old Santa Claus too. And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs. The TV antenna was no match for their horns, And look at our roof with hoof-prints adorned. As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash, Down the cold chimney fell Santa - KER-RASH! 'Dear' Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!) Spotting my face, good old Santa could see I had no Christmas spirit, you'd have to agree. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk). Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy; When I'd been too busy for even one toy. He spied my research on the table all spread 'A genealogist!' He cried! (My face was all red!) 'Tonight I've met many like you', Santa grinned. As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned. I gazed with amazement - the cover it read 'Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.' 'I know what it's like as a genealogy bug,' He said as he gave me a great Santa Hug. 'While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry, I do some research in the North Pole Library! A special treat I am thus able to bring, To genealogy folks who can't find a thing. Now off you go to your bed for a rest, I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess.' As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee, I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me. While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle, To his team which then rose like the down of a thistle And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight, 'Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!'

Oh dear Lil, Do you realise you have just added to my mountain of papers 'to be filed'? I had to print that off and now will have to find time to type it up (in fancy lettering with borders etc) and then decide where I will file it - hey ho! Frances PS. Thankyou for posting it - I love all the genealogical poems!