I like to be organised. In all things.
In my case it stems from having a poor memory. I’ve compensated (over compensated, according to my wife) by developing good organisational habits. So, when I commenced my family history research around twenty years ago, I began with the very best of intentions. I wanted to organise and manage all the information I collected in a clean, clear “system”.
But over time the volume and variety of material I collected has defied all my instincts to impose order. I was managing:
• Emails
• Word documents
• Excel documents
• PDF documents
• Web favourites
• Books (physical & digital)
• Photographs (physical & digital)
• Family history course notes, homework & assignments (physical & digital)
• CDs of data, document images and transcripts
• Albums of certificates
• Scan images of documents
• Journals and magazines with useful articles
• Notebooks of handwritten notes from conference talks and local FHS meetings
• Handouts from conference talks (physical & digital)
• Folders of paper correspondence with individuals, libraries, archives and register offices
• Maps (physical & digital)
