How to Make Sure Your Research Won't Be Lost or Forgotten - Genealogy Wise2024-03-29T02:14:29Zhttp://www.genealogywise.com/forum/topics/how-to-make-sure-your-research?commentId=3463583%3AComment%3A93441&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWould you like to post what o…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-23:3463583:Comment:934412009-07-23T19:24:05.260ZJeanette Heathhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/JeanetteHeath
Would you like to post what older computer you were using that burned the CDs that won't open? Perhaps someone out there still has one, and can help you out! Have you tried copying the cd onto a new CD on your new computer? Many computer entusiasts keep their old computers if they're still running---and here's a good reason why!!!
Would you like to post what older computer you were using that burned the CDs that won't open? Perhaps someone out there still has one, and can help you out! Have you tried copying the cd onto a new CD on your new computer? Many computer entusiasts keep their old computers if they're still running---and here's a good reason why!!! I have been reluctant to post…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-23:3463583:Comment:934192009-07-23T19:17:31.193ZJeanette Heathhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/JeanetteHeath
I have been reluctant to post my research after an experience where a young cousin posted all my research and all the private information on an open family history site. He exposed ALL of our whole family's personal information and my children's (and all their cousin's) personal information to identity theft. I realize that an experienced family history researcher would have clicked the appropriate box that made living people's info not show and therefore private, but which web site is the best?
I have been reluctant to post my research after an experience where a young cousin posted all my research and all the private information on an open family history site. He exposed ALL of our whole family's personal information and my children's (and all their cousin's) personal information to identity theft. I realize that an experienced family history researcher would have clicked the appropriate box that made living people's info not show and therefore private, but which web site is the best? Myss Story" I'm not sure abou…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-23:3463583:Comment:930142009-07-23T17:28:15.637ZDodie Fordhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/DodieFord
Myss Story" I'm not sure about all you have mentioned but, I believe you are getting too stressed about saving your research. First, a GEDCOM file will open in just about any genealogy program. Maybe any genealogy program. So, if you make GEDCOM files of all your databases and put them on flash drives <u>and</u> CDs, that will be a pretty safe bet even if you have to buy a new computer. Distribute the CDs and flash drives to whomever you can in your family and save one set for yourself. I can…
Myss Story" I'm not sure about all you have mentioned but, I believe you are getting too stressed about saving your research. First, a GEDCOM file will open in just about any genealogy program. Maybe any genealogy program. So, if you make GEDCOM files of all your databases and put them on flash drives <u>and</u> CDs, that will be a pretty safe bet even if you have to buy a new computer. Distribute the CDs and flash drives to whomever you can in your family and save one set for yourself. I can not think why you couldn't open CDs made with one burner in another computer's CD drive when we do this all the time with music files and data files, etc.<br />
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It is good to make new GEDCOMS of your databases and load them to flash drive and CDs <u>or</u> whatever new media becomes available. You should prob do this about 2-3 years. And, test them to see if they can be opened on any new computer or with any new genealogy program. You do have to keep up with what new media is coming on the market in case CD's or a new kind of flash drive or something else becomes available since it could become a standard. But, new media taking over as a standard does not happen overnite.<br />
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As for the GEDCOM error problem, as I work with my files, I watch them for errors that might have happened in the transfer and I haven't encountered any errors so far. That's not to say it won't happen but I believe the ability to use GEDCOM files has become more stable.<br />
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Then, genealogy software will work as long as you can load it into a new computer. I've been using my genealogy software for abt 10 yrs and have been able to load it onto a new desk top computer and a laptop. It works fine. However, it is a very simple program. And, one day, maybe when I start using MS VISTA, it may not load. But, then it is very simple to get a new program and load my GEDCOMS into the new program. There have been many updates and new versions to my genealogy software but, I don't get every single one that becomes available. I only need a simple program and don't need all the bells and whistles that come with the updates and new versions. I don't keep copies of documents, photos, etc in my software so I don't need that ability in a program.<br />
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I do not post my databases to on-line services yet since I have had some bad experiences with that. I believe the ability to save our work on-line is becoming more secure so, I may do that in the future if I find a service I think I can trust.<br />
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Finally, if you have kept hard copy files along with your electronic databases, a Steward would be useful to manage them when you no longer can. Just takes a little organization.<br />
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I think if you preserve your databases on electronic media and your hard copy files in a relatively safe place and hand them off to a Steward, anyone in 10-25 years will still be able to use them.<br />
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If you haven't done so yet, you might consider printing out hard copies of your research and gifting it to local libraries, the Family HIstory LIbrary or any other institution. That way, at least what you have done so far will be preserved.<br />
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All is not hopeless. Just think of the genealogy research that has been saved even as far back in this country as when the first wave landed in Jamestown in the 1600s.<br />
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PS watch this group. Some good ideas here. I've passed along lots of inf…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-22:3463583:Comment:876902009-07-22T17:21:05.783ZHeather Wilkinson Rojohttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/HeatherWilkinsonRojo
I've passed along lots of information as I go. Don't wait to do it "someday!" A family tree is always a work in progress, and you will never be "done" so stop to consider distribution once in a while. Do it now and you can always update it later (see step #6 on Ben's list)<br />
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Give trees and reports to all the appropriate branches of your family in 3 ring binders (they are easy to add to when you dig up more notes) Find the local historical societies and/or libraries appropriate to the different…
I've passed along lots of information as I go. Don't wait to do it "someday!" A family tree is always a work in progress, and you will never be "done" so stop to consider distribution once in a while. Do it now and you can always update it later (see step #6 on Ben's list)<br />
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Give trees and reports to all the appropriate branches of your family in 3 ring binders (they are easy to add to when you dig up more notes) Find the local historical societies and/or libraries appropriate to the different branches and distribute copies there, too. I've also donated manuscrips to the NEHGS library, knowing that they will be better taken care of there, than in my attic or basement. I can always keep copies or go to NEHGS if I need to review. Copies of reports make good wedding/ christening/ family reunion gifts, too, even if they go unappreciated now, they will be treasured someday. For example: the vital records room in Concord, NH maintans a file of surnames and local researchers, so put your name onto lists such as this and record where you have deposited your notes. You don't have to be a member of the LDS church to donate to their files, either.<br />
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Don't worry about "who will continue my work?" Someday someone will pick up your notes and say "Hey, that's my family, too!" and they will continue to add all the future generations we don't know about now. Believe me, someone out there will be fascinated, and will appreciate all your hard work!<br />
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ALSO- Write up short articles on pieces of your family history (you can't do an article on the WHOLE thing) and present them for publication in your local historical societies, family association newsletters, local newspapers, etc. Everyone has plenty of short one page stories, and this will help preserve your family history to a wider audience. (Of course, you can write the "Great American Novel" and include everything in your files, but between you and me- we know you'll never get around to that project!) Hi, Debbra.
Most of my publi…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-22:3463583:Comment:871252009-07-22T13:50:59.329ZBen Sayerhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/BenSayer
Hi, Debbra.<br />
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Most of my published methods and techniques are available through MacGenealogist.com and PCGenealogist.com (for example, the MacGenealogist File System). Unforgettable Genealogy: Establishing a Genealogical Materials Steward is a course I just made available through GenealogicalMethods.com. I'm also working on another course I'm calling Perennial Genealogy of which Unforgettable Genealogy is a part. It is an integrated set of methods to ensure that your genealogy is not just…
Hi, Debbra.<br />
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Most of my published methods and techniques are available through MacGenealogist.com and PCGenealogist.com (for example, the MacGenealogist File System). Unforgettable Genealogy: Establishing a Genealogical Materials Steward is a course I just made available through GenealogicalMethods.com. I'm also working on another course I'm calling Perennial Genealogy of which Unforgettable Genealogy is a part. It is an integrated set of methods to ensure that your genealogy is not just remembered and available, but extremely useful to other genealogists.<br />
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----Ben Hello Ben, excuse my ignoranc…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-21:3463583:Comment:827782009-07-21T10:20:47.114ZDebbra Walkerhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/DebbraWalker
Hello Ben, excuse my ignorance but what courses, methods, and techniques?
Hello Ben, excuse my ignorance but what courses, methods, and techniques? Colleen Lukoff made a great p…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-21:3463583:Comment:826272009-07-21T08:03:30.342ZDebbra Walkerhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/DebbraWalker
Colleen Lukoff made a great point about the "flesh on the bones of the story." There is so much more to family genealogy to me then just date of birth and death.<br />
Neither one of my 2 children seemed at all interested in the Tree until we took a trip 600 miles to see my father's (who died in 1973) crypt. I talked to each there individually there about their Grandfather. Who he was, good and bad, and explained that he lived in my heart and I wanted to make sure he lived in theirs. This really…
Colleen Lukoff made a great point about the "flesh on the bones of the story." There is so much more to family genealogy to me then just date of birth and death.<br />
Neither one of my 2 children seemed at all interested in the Tree until we took a trip 600 miles to see my father's (who died in 1973) crypt. I talked to each there individually there about their Grandfather. Who he was, good and bad, and explained that he lived in my heart and I wanted to make sure he lived in theirs. This really touched both of them.<br />
Since then I have told them about the Walker that was a prisoner of the British in the War of 1812, how we had family in both sides of the Civil War.... you get the idea.<br />
Well my 19 year old son has "caught the bug." I am grateful, as I too was so afraid no one would care. Well someone does now. I have provided a copy of my…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-21:3463583:Comment:825192009-07-21T06:24:13.146ZGeorgie Trammellhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/GeorgieTrammell
I have provided a copy of my current material to my local Genealogy Society, which has been updated twice. There is a provision in my Will to insure that all my Grandchildren as well as several historical/genealogy societies and libraries receive copies of my research. I never thought of doing something as formal as you presented. But, having read your comment several times, I realize that is exactly what I did, without even realizing it. Thanks for putting it in order.
I have provided a copy of my current material to my local Genealogy Society, which has been updated twice. There is a provision in my Will to insure that all my Grandchildren as well as several historical/genealogy societies and libraries receive copies of my research. I never thought of doing something as formal as you presented. But, having read your comment several times, I realize that is exactly what I did, without even realizing it. Thanks for putting it in order. In line with this dilemma is…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-21:3463583:Comment:823302009-07-21T03:59:15.647ZMyss Storyhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/MyssStory
In line with this dilemma is I recently purchased a new computer. It was a little bit of a hassle because I needed an older operating system, but I got it, after explaining to the sales rep I wanted to run my older software and open my old files generated by them. But he did not mention the cd/dvd burner would not read cds created on the old burner. GAH! I began to grieve, all my records on cds. So I determined to learn more about cd materials and formats, and to my greater dismay found out…
In line with this dilemma is I recently purchased a new computer. It was a little bit of a hassle because I needed an older operating system, but I got it, after explaining to the sales rep I wanted to run my older software and open my old files generated by them. But he did not mention the cd/dvd burner would not read cds created on the old burner. GAH! I began to grieve, all my records on cds. So I determined to learn more about cd materials and formats, and to my greater dismay found out that cd data is not burned into the metal but is printed on the plastic coating. That printing has a life expectancy of 5 years! Less with cheaper cds.<br />
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On the other hand, on-line services come and go, so while I have some family tree stuff out there, most of my important family history and backup documents were burned on cd. Already both my family tree softwares are obsolete, one is no longer available, and the other is behind a few versions. Sigh. Buying a new software and loading gedcoms and them combing through for errors---all to be repeated in a few years.<br />
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So even if I found anyone in my family interested in my data, it's not likely it will be accessible in 10 or 25 years. So stewardship for me means keeping up the "translations" which is a huge chore. Hi, Dodie.
Great idea! I've…tag:www.genealogywise.com,2009-07-21:3463583:Comment:822212009-07-21T03:17:34.790ZBen Sayerhttp://www.genealogywise.com/profile/BenSayer
Hi, Dodie.<br />
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Great idea! I've created a group <a href="http://www.genealogywise.com/group/genealogicalmethods" target="_blank">here</a> for people who are benefiting from my courses, methods, and techniques. It's a great way to give me feedback to help me improve and to discuss your progress and ideas with others.
Hi, Dodie.<br />
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Great idea! I've created a group <a href="http://www.genealogywise.com/group/genealogicalmethods" target="_blank">here</a> for people who are benefiting from my courses, methods, and techniques. It's a great way to give me feedback to help me improve and to discuss your progress and ideas with others.