Organization
Organization is important in genealogy; especially in recording information in ancestry charts. Each individual is assigned an identification number and each family has a group number based on the parents' ID number.
Individual ID Number
In ancestry charts, males are assigned even numbers and females are assigned an odd number. The only exception is the person who's Genealogy is being written about (yourself, male or female) is number one (1). Your father's ID is 2; his father (your paternal grandfather) is 4 and his wife's ID is 5. Your mother's ID is 3; her father (your maternal grandfather) is ID 6 and his wife's is ID 7, etc. This is known as the "ahnentafel numbering system" which is a doubling or a geometric progression which shows the number of parents/grandparents in each generation.
Family Group number
It is a combination of the individual ID numbers (the exception is yours as number one) for each family group. For example, your parents ID number and file number is 2-3.
Photos
Purchase a pen that does not bleed through a photo and put the individual's ID or Ancestor Chart number on the back.
Recording Dates
Use the European style of recording dates. Day/Month/Year in full. For example, 11/July/1732. This will reduce errors.
Searching Records
After each search, carefully record the document you looked for, where you looked, and what you found. Use a record for each side of the family. The column headings are: Date, Places Searched, What was Found. This will also aide in writing out your search plans and goals. Always list and cite your sources using titles, page numbers, and dates in a notebook. This will help save time in future researches.
Inventory Records Spreadsheet
This will inventory your records found during searches for each direct line ancestor. Place the names of your ancestors (including yourself as number one) on the left hand side. The second column is the Soundex Code for each person. The third column is the ID number used in the Ancestor Chart (family tree). The fourth column is the life span of the individual. Column Five is the chapter (male relatives' ID numbers) assigned in the book. For example, you are chapter one; your father is chapter two, your grandfather is chapter 4, etc. In the next few columns list all the records you will need to search for: Census (including years), birth, death, marriage, obituary, probate, naturalization, etc. Each time you locate a record or document for an individual, place an (X), and write the date of the event in the space. This will aide you with a reference point that can be used in future searches.
Ancestor Charts (Family Trees/Pedigree Chart)
Begin with yourself as number one. Always write full names and use maiden names for females. Nicknames can be included in quotation marks. On the Ancestor Chart, your paternal family members are on top and maternal family is located on the bottom using their individual ID numbers.
Family Group Record
This sheet contains brief information about a family (Father, Mother and children). These group records include birth dates, death, residences, marriages, etc. for each individual. A separate Family Group Record should be made for each family (yourself, parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc.) The family group number is fixed in the upper corner (your parents' would be 2-3).
Individual Records
Excellent reference tool for interviews and asking relatives for information. Give one to each of your living relatives and ask them to fill out the forms as completely as possible. These records include information on name, birth, death, occupation, education, spouse, children, etc.