Helpful Hints.

GETTING ORGANISED

	Work from known to unknown.
	Concentrate on one branch at a time.
	Document and prove every step.
	Don’t skimp on documentation.
	Be opened minded.
	Don’t reinvent the wheel.
	Don’t count on everything you read on the internet.

CHARTING & ORGANISING

	Use a system that works for you.
	Use a system that someone else can understand.
	Use a standard documentation eg pedigree charts.
	Use standard conventions eg Surnames in capitals.
	Use full dates eg 3 March 2007.

STORING YOUR INFORMATION & FAMILY TREASURES

	Don’t do anything that can’t undo eg use mylar sleeves not laminates.
	Don’t store research in a damp place.
	Avoid direct sunlight.
	Don’t separate your collection
	Don’t handle originals unnecessarily.
	Have a disaster plan.
	Clearly label YOUR family history,
	Copy your research and store it off site.
	Make backups of computer files.
	Use proper archival supplies for storage.

RESEARCH NOTE TAKING

	Use a sturdy note book- date and number them and use 1 at a time, and never throw away your note books.
	Before taking any notes record
	Repository and date
	Reference number
	Source-title and page etc.
	Write result positive or negative.
	Note if copy is taken.
	Record whether research is finished or incomplete and note where you have finished so you can find where you are up to.

ORGANISING YOUR RESEARCH PAPERS

	There is no magic formula.
	Use a system that works for you.
	If it takes all night to find a certificate the system you are using is not working!
	Organising your space will depend:
	On how much space you have
	If your space shared with others.
	Is it paper based or computer generated or both.
	Make sure your method of organising is able to be expanded- eg A4 folder with plastic sleeves or maybe manilla folders in filing cabinet.
	Clearly identify all your folders.

Submitted by Robyn Nesbitt. Taken from notes of a speech given by Heather Garnesy. This was presented at the last General meeting.

What is a Mailing List

A mailing list is a way of forwarding messages to others who are interested in the same genealogical research as you. You send your message or question to the list and it is sent to everyone who has subscribed to that list. And everything that anyone else sends to the list will be sent to you. It is a great way to find others who are researching in the same area or are researching the same surname.

A mail list does not have an address that you can go to. It is not a place on the Internet. It only forwards email messages. It will have an address something like: LISTNAME@rootsweb.com. The link is available of our website. Yahoo groups have some great groups started up as well this is accessible of the Yahoo website. You can look up archives messages at both Roots web and google groups.

You can also access a mailing list via outlook express. To do this you need to go onto your server’s website, look for newsgroup, and follow the directions. (If you a bigpond subscriber I had to type newsgroup in the help to access the directions). I subscribe to the soc.genealogy.australia+nz. It’s a great group and I have had a lot of help and found some relatives. The rules of mailing lists are simple no spam, use capitals for surnames, Introduce yourself to the group and to let the group know your research interest.

If you would like help with mailing list come and see Barb Hollis or Judy Caban on their roster days.

Looking for a female relative?

The maiden name of a mother can sometimes be found buried somewhere among the names of her children. Unusual middle names, among boys or girls, might be the maiden name of a mother or grandmother. Or the eldest daughter might be named for her maternal grandmother.

Cemetery look-ups

For Ford, Ainsdale and Yew Tree Catholic cemeteries in Liverpool Lancashire, England. 1859-1989

Indexed by names and the year of interment, each plot when found, details for all persons buried within: name, place of death, age & date of interment.

This index contains over 350 000 names, so please provide, if known, complete names, year of birth & date of death

Search results can be sent by email, or posted.

Charges: AU$5.00 per individual name, payable by Australia Post money order or cheque. Payable to M Faull

Lost the plot

P.O. Box 45 Culburra Beach NSW 2540

Email: scousearch@gmail.com

HAVE YOU USED THE HERALD SUN TRIBUTES?

Searchable database of paid Tribute and funeral notices that have appeared in the newspaper within the past 30 days. This site can be searched for older notices from the past (aprox 10 years) by choosing All time in the search screen. You can also choose from several countries. You won’t get a complete notice until you pay to do so but the incomplete notice can sometimes give all the details you are looking for such as the name of deceased, spouse, family members, place of burial etc. Give it a try you never know what you might find.

http://tributes.heraldsun.com.au/obituaries/heraldsun-au/

RYERSON INDEX – REQUEST A LOOKUP

The Ryerson Index is an index to death notices appearing in current Australian newspapers. It also includes some funeral notices, probate notices and obituaries. The Ryerson Index Online Database contains 2,955,641 notices from 184 different Australian newspapers.

To search the database, enter a surname, with or without one or more given name(s), a location name, a year range, and/or a newspaper name.

***What some researchers don’t know is that when you have found an entry of interest it is possible to request a lookup of the notice by going to the Home page and selecting:

Fill in the details required and select send. You will receive a copy of the notice as seen in the original newspaper. This is a great service.

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