There
are lots of genealogy tools that involve technology. I read about them in genealogy
journals, blogs & websites. I have tried many of them. However, I also use
many tools that have nothing to do with technology.
I
confess to having a desk drawer full of notepads, envelopes and index cards. I
have index cards in multiple sizes and colors; lined, unlined & grids. I
have to avoid the index card aisle in office supply stores so I don’t buy more.
A
few ways I use index cards:
DNA
matches.
Recently I did an Ancestry DNA
test. I was very excited when I went on Ancestry and saw the long list of
matches but I soon realized it would be hard to keep track of contacts, their
relationship to me & messages between us. I thought about using a spread
sheet to keep track but decided to use index cards. I can sort them
alphabetically, according to family lines or by state. Naturally I use pink for
my mother’s family & blue for my father’s family. Hopefully my index cards
will help me organize and understand my matches more clearly.
Cemeteries.
I have a pile of large index
cards for cemeteries. Each card has the cemetery address, office hours & etc.
Then I list the relatives who are there. I can sort them by location or family names.
It is easy to carry the cards along on cemetery trips.
Book
Planning.
I use index cards to help
organize the book I am writing. I have a large cork board where I tacked up
cards for each section with chapters beneath. As I finish a chapter I add a “Done”
sticky note. It helps me visualize the book and keeps me on track.
Do
you use index cards for genealogy? How do you use them? I am always eager to
find new uses for my drawer full of index cards.
Excellent suggestions, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCharlie, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete