How should I write down all the info I find?

Question:I have a notebook but I need a way to make it organized. What would be the best way? Should I start in the back so as I track my ancstry farth back the oldest will be first in the notebook?

Should I make a seperate pages for everybody's wives and children?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have a notebook but I need a way to make it organized. What would be the best way? Should I start in the back so as I track my ancstry farth back the oldest will be first in the notebook?

Should I make a seperate pages for everybody's wives and children?

I would use the first few pages to draw a family tree, starting with yourself on the left side of the pages, and branching out to parents, grandparents, etc. As you confirm people, you can fill their names in on the main chart, used for quick reference.

I would organize using family group sheets. Each of these contains:
Husband: Born, Married, Died, Father, Mother
Wife: Born, Died, Father, Mother
Children: Name, Born, Died, Married, Spouse
Assign a number to each family group sheet, so you can make easy references to other sheets (ie. everyone will appear on at least 2 family group sheets).

Use tabs to divide the notebook into 5 sections: Main family tree, you, your parents & your grandparents family group sheets at the front, then a section for each of your grandparents lineage.

Also, here are some links to blank forms you can print out and use for doing your research:
http://www.cs.williams.edu/~bailey/genea...
http://www.familytreemagazine.com/forms/...
http://www.free-genealogy-forms.com/cont...
http://www.ancestry.com/charts/ancchart....

***I would strongly suggest just taking notes (I use some of the forms above, and just keep them in the order I'm working on them, in folders, labelled by family surname) and then entering the data into family tree software on your computer on a regular basis. MyHeritage has free software that is really good, and can also help search the web. You're going to end up with A LOT of information. As an example, my husband's maternal grandmother's lineage is 90 pages, printed off the computer (and that's just the basics, their is much more information on the computer!). His paternal grandfather's is about the same. So, you have four grandparents lines to do x 90 pages...that's 360 pages! If you're married and do both yours and your spouses', that's 720 pages! Just a basic idea of the amount of info you're going to have to keep organized.***

Ultimately, you'll need to find what works best for you, but hopefully I have provided some useful tools & tips to get you started.

Good luck in your research, however you choose to organize yourself!

My advice is to use a computer program to keep track. You will still need your notebooks for copies of records, all of that. A computer program will do so much for you and the organization alone is priceless.

I use Family Tree Maker, which is not free. There are free programs that many people swear by.

This site gives you lots of great info on organization and has links to forms, programs, and more.

http://www.cyndislist.com/organize.htm

Good luck!

Shera, the absolute best way is the standard... and it will always be understood, by persons you work with.
The family group sheet (fgs) contains a husband and wife and the children from that marriage (or relationship). If either of them have a later marriage, that would be listed on another page, although it will "tie" in, if you use a computer program.
this is the place to include the dates and places for birth/ marriage/ death, and burial as well. This goes for the children, but you make a note to link them to their spouse (their children would go to that page).
To link the husband and wife to THEIR parents, add a line that says who their parents are. Use maiden names for women!!
That is the bottom line basic form. Near each "fact" (date or place), normally place a small number that refers to the source of your information. Your notes can include more, if you choose, but don't leave out the sources.
For my own worksheets (which these are).. I write the husband's full name at the upper right corner. You can wind up with more than one John Smith and wife.. if so, use his dates to id him.
Using alphabetical saves mental hassle. I don't need to figure if someone is later/ earlier or whatever.. the group sheets are always alphabetical. Others might disagree.. I just go with Keep it Simple, Sweetie.
Your first group sheet would be your parents, then you will work backwards.
You can download PAF from familysearch.org (the LDS site).. it is free and does the job well. I don't have a notebook computer.. the three ring binder always works for me, to travel to library, etc.
edit-
I also love cyndis..
http://www.cyndislist.com/supplies.htm#O...

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