Or how do I keep track for what data I have.
This topic is so huge and complex, I'm not sure I can even address it all. With the wealth of online data available I can sometime download 5 or more data items in a session. Now what to do with the data?
I know, I know. Keep a research log. Enter the data into a spreadsheet or some other software tool. But what and how.
Searching the world of information - which is there is too much of - there is a way of collecting, analyzing and storing data for every person who posts - no two are the same. After spending weeks and months reading about and testing different methods, I created my own way of doing things.
It works for me, so it is right.
So where to start - I decided to focus on my filing system first.
Over the years I've collected a large number of hard copy documents, original documents like birth and death certificates, and soft copy records from a wide variety of sources. And I also found myself collecting the same data over and over again.
Yes my wife calls me a disorganized person, but really I'm not... well yes I am.
My in development approach to cataloging the data.
- Setup a external hard drive for data storage
- I'm currently using a USB 1TB drive
- Why - because that is what I had sitting on the desk unused
- Assigned it a drive letter R: so no matter what computer I plug it into it has the same drive letter
- This way when I set up file locations in applications I can always use R: regardless of what computer I use
- Note - the application software is loaded to the default C: drive locations and is not on the backup
- This drive is backed up to:
- Network attached storage (NAS) device (Synology 218J with 2 - 4TB WD Red HDs) - which acts as my cloud
- Scan Disk 32GB USB drive (for quick getaways)
- Future - possible online cloud
- Collect the data and store it to a folder called '1 New Data to Catalog'
- Once analyzed as relevant move to data file and name it
- Data not useful will be stored in a separate location
- Use a standard file structure and naming system for the files
- Enter relevant data into Clooz
- Add to research log
- If confidence is high enter the person into Family Tree Maker
Software Used
Current software in use as of Jul 2020 that I am using or testing are:
- Family Tree Maker – images / PDFs should be embedded in software
- Clooz
- Evidentia - testing
- Zotero - testing
How is each application used / results of testing
- FTM is used to build the family tree
- Clooz is used to document the records collected
- Evidentia is used to prove the evidence –
least useful so far of the programs for what I want to do
- Zotero
- Is a note taking system with ability to
generate source citations
- Using for one name studies
- Great for a research project which generates a final paper
- Use to collect notes while at research location
- Saves data to cloud for access by multiple systems
R: Drive - Radloff Genealogy File Structure:
- 1 New Data to Catalog
- 2 Genealogy Data
- 3 Data with Unknown Relevancy
- Clooz Databases
- Evidentia Databases
- FTM Databases
- Photos
- Reference Material without names
- One Person Studies
- Radloff, Louis USMC
- Radlof, Louis USA
- Radloff, Clarence USA
- Manuals
- Zotero Databases
- ZZ Licenses and downloaded application files
