Organizing notes and recordings
After the interview process, you may have hours and hours of oral histories on tape. To begin making sense of all this information create a spreadsheet on the computer, use a form from the software you have been using, or in your notebook write down critical information you have gathered. You will only need to document specific pieces of the interviews to use for your family tree. If you want a verbatim transcription of the interviews, you can transcribe them yourself (this will take an enormous amount of time but costs nothing), buy software that transcribes audio tapes right on the computer (this investment will save you time), or make a copy of the tapes and send them out to a transcribing service (this will also cost money but they do the work for you). A verbatim record may help you gather more information you missed by simply listening to the tapes and gives you another memento to add to your family treasury.
Here is an example spreadsheet you can create yourself if you are not using a software program. A form like this will help you sort through the information you have gathered at the interview and through your research. It highlights critical information you need and saves you time listening to the tapes over and over again. Whichever method you choose, completing a spreadsheet, using software, or keeping handwritten records (you can hand write a spreadsheet as well), begin filling in your findings. When this is complete, read through what you have found and add to your family tree. You should be able to fill in missing pieces and maybe even add new branches.
Organizing family memorabilia and documents
Throughout this process, you may have collected family memorabilia and documents. There are several ways to compile and keep this information:
• If you cannot take your relatives’ memorabilia or documents with you, ask them to scan it and copy it onto CD or send it through email for you. Other options are to make a copy or take a picture.
• If you can borrow the information, scan it or make copies yourself, then return it.
• If you find documents somewhere else (i.e. Census Bureau or Vital Records Office), make a copy to take with you.
Having physical copies or images on the computer readily available will save time and provide an easy reference as you fill in your spreadsheet and your family tree.
Next, you should create a file system either on the computer if you are working with scanned images, or with file folders (such as manila folders or accordion files) for physical copies. If you are using physical file folders, sort your information by family unit and each side of the family (i.e. maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, husband’s parents, etc). If you will be storing information on the computer, follow the same type of filing system by creating a folder dedicated to images from your research. Within this folder, create sub-folders for each side of the family or, more specifically, each relative. Computer systems now make it easy to create folders and store lots of information in one place. You may want to make backup copies on CD’s, a flash drive, or external hard drive, just in case something happens with your computer. For more information on digital photo storage click here
However you organize and store your research, memorabilia and documents, having an organized system will be a huge timesaver when you are ready to scrapbook and present the information to your family. As time goes on, update your family history every couple of years so you can avoid losing important information. Family gatherings like Thanksgiving, Easter, and Passover are a good time to talk and update the family tree with everyone’s help.
If you have followed the steps from beginning your search for family history through organizing your research, you have come a long way and have almost completed the journey to discovering who you are and where you came from. The next stop in this journey lets your creativity shine. Join us next month as we show you ways to write a family book and create family heritage scrapbooks.
