(Download OR Print) AND File!

Have you ever found a document, only to lose it again? Perhaps you have been unable to find a record after previously viewing it online? Or maybe you have managed to print or download a resource but forgotten to file it somewhere? (Look away from those piles on your desk!)

There are some common mistakes and misconceptions that fuel this behavior, but there is a remedy for these! Keep reading to find out some strategies for success.

Common Mistakes

In today’s digital world, it is so easy to move quickly and forget to save/print a record. It is equally easy to download/print something and then forget to file it somewhere you will remember.

Common Misconceptions

We often think that things will be available online forever, but that is not always true. Also, things sometimes move, so just copying a link may not be the best strategy for finding a resource later.

Possible Remedies

Time to (Download OR Print) AND File those valuable records!

If you are into physical records, you will want to print and then file it somewhere that makes sense. If you use online trees or desktop software, you will want to download/scan and then save it into a folder on your computer or online. (Almost all genealogy databases and websites will have a way for you to print and/or download what you find.)

When it comes to filing your prints/downloads, you will want to develop a system that works for you and stick with it…before the Information Management Monster attacks. Now, everyone has different kinds of records because everyone’s ancestry is unique, so that means you will have a unique way of filing your records. Some folks choose to file by surname, family units, record type, etc. The key is to find/develop a system that works for you and stick with it. You will want to be flexible and adapt it as needed though. For some other ideas, check out our “Time to Organize & Strategize” blog post.

Of course, you will want to make sure that you document where you found the record as well. A citation is an easy and convenient way to consistently do this. If you are looking for more information about citations, check out our previous “Cite the Site Right” blog post.

Speaking of citations… Did you hear that Elizabeth Shown Mills has come out with a shortened version of her Evidence Explained text? This super popular resource, now in its 4^th edition, is now easier to consult and use. Check out Your Stripped Bare Guide to Citing & Using History Sources (available in print and online) soon!

By taking the time to download/print and then file your records, you will save yourself time and headaches later. Developing a system should help you keep from downloading/printing the same records over and over as well. That is where a Research Log can really come in handy.