Comments on: Creating a Genealogy Folder System on Your Mac, Part 1, My Family History

By: Handling People with Multiple Names in the MacGenealogist File System | Mac Genealogy Software

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:02:35 +0000

[...] Aliases are pointers to either files or folders. The details of their utility is covered in a series of screencasts called Creating a Genealogy Folder System on Your Mac. [...]

By: doug

doug — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:37:46 +0000

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?

By: Joyce Ranieri

Joyce Ranieri — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:49:38 +0000

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!

By: Ben Sayer

Ben Sayer — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:20:20 +0000

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.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:22:53 +0000

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