General Chat

I have 6 HUGE ring binders with various family branches in them (husband's as well as mine) plus assorted files on internet searches, or genealogical info generally (ie general stuff on parish registers or on specific counties). I am NOW (after years, lol!) being quite disciplined about making sure that I put all new info onto my paf straight away, rather than have loose paper or bits in files that I forget to transfer. I am also making regular copies onto a disc kept in a fireproof box. I fully intend to sort out how to use our scanner, scan and put all family photos, cards, letters etc onto the paf as well and eventually have two memory sticks - one to keep in the fireproof box and one to take with me to records offices - when I get my laptop to plug it into, that is! Looking forward to the day when they can implant hard drives into our brains so that we can access all the info in our memories and not have to bother locating which file/folder/notebook we put it in!!!! nell Oh, have also acquired as further aids - uptodate A-Z of Greater London, Great Britain atlas, various county maps, various books on aspects of Engish and Welsh history etc.

Hi Marie..... i remember you ! I think i said i should be over whelmed in Yorks.... looks like we were both right, Sue xxx

Apart from loads of bits of paper, I have a folder containing 81 Mb of 1837 downloaded files several A4 folders, loads of free bmd downloads cds with back ups.........and I still cant get past 1853 in Antwerp.......... bob fortunately I still have a full can of 1664.........

Frances Glad you like the poem i did toox

tee hee... i am starting to feel better the more i read.... must admit... while re shuffling all my rellies into some semblance of order... i have found lots of gaps/ peeps i had missed/ info i had overlooked/ the odd census i have never got around to printing off... mmmm... can feel another shelf coming on ! LMHO.... Sue xxx

12 files Some are for different branches of family but some how they all get entangled I have regular sort outs but never can find what I want 1841 census for Lancs and Yorks 1881 census but some of the discs have split the ones I use the most 1891 census for Lancs Yorks and Westmorland but its easier to use ancestry Various certificates that need sorting Lots of books about local History etc Loads of scraps of paper that I write notes on then wonder why I've written them Some photos that I can't find And it was only yesterday I had a sort out LOL Bren

Feel a little bit better now I know it's not just me.BUT I really am going to get organised oneday.LOL Brenda

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!

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!'

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

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

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

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.

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

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????

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

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

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 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!

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 >|<