The screencast for creating the main folder is complete. If you can create a folder named “My Family History” within your “Documents” folder please do so and skip ahead to the next screencasts on creating the folders for people and places.
If you’re still with me, click this video link, then play button (the small triangle in the lower, left corner) on the video and follow along.
Creating a Genealogy Folder System on Your Mac, Part 1, My Family History
Previous post: Creating a Set of Folders for Your Files
Next post: Creating a Genealogy Folder System on Your Mac, Part 2, Places
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Good Morning Ben,
Thanks for the videos on creating a folder system. I've done as you suggested and have created my own folders. The big question now is what put in them? I've scanned lots of documents, photos, newsclippings, handwritten notes etc. I have some pdf docs and web photos. Do I put these kinds of things into the folders? What should I leave in iPhoto? What should I simply type into the software itself?
Greg
Hi, Greg.
I put all the files types you listed in my folder system. I use the folders as a place to store “original” versions of files. Then I import them into other applications, as appropriate, from the My Family History folders. For example, let's say I have an image I just scanned from a photograph. I'll put the image file in the person's folder under Surnames. Then I'll import that file (from the person's folder) into iPhoto and my genealogy database.
You'll see how this approach is beneficial in my screencast on preventing broken photo links in Reunion.
Ben,
I see that you are using folders for your multimedia instead of using iPhoto. Is there a reason you're not using iPhoto? I was using a system quite similar to yours, but then it became very tedious to find individuals. What do you do with collateral relatives? For example, I have many many pictures of Pierce relatives without the Pierce surname. I put them in their own folders, but I wound up with many many folders. Eventually, I put everything into iPhoto. Now I'm finding that a bit tedious as well since I need to re-link over 6,000 photos / documents in Reunion.
I have been very blessed in being given so much genealogical data — old letters, framed family charts, photo albums, tintype albums, etc. I'm just having a tough time managing all of it!
Do you have any recommendations? Should I take the photos back out of iPhoto and go back to my old system? I really like the ability in iPhoto to label individuals, the photographer, dates, etc. I also like the Keywords. Help!
I've been looking for an application that will store the source info I have on my hard drive. Something that will store just about any kind of file and permit searching in the file. Yojimbo seems to almost fit the bill. It's great for searching inside PDFs, but it only handles file types it's familiar with — .ged's aren't welcome.
Records Master handles just about any file, but can't yet search inside a file.
Any thoughts anyone?