Genealogy Tools and Getting Started
by Marvin Kusmierz
The first and most important need is a means to maintain your records. You need to get some tools in place. I recommend a notebook, a storage bin, a computer, genealogy software and a connection to the internet. A notebook is handy for carrying along as you do research away from the computer. A storage bin where you can keep hard copies of records. The computer of course, enables the use of genealogy software which makes the task of researching what you have much easier. The internet opens up the world of information to you that is growing enormously each day.
Notebook:
I like using the notebook for recording information that I receive during discussions with someone else. I usually review these notes as soon as I can after the discussion to fill in details that will make the notes more understandable to me later on. Eventually, these notes, if worthy, will be posted on the genealogy software program. I also use the notebook to record things I want to do or follow up on and I highlight this information so it stands out. When the task is completed I run a line through the highlighted information along with a date it was done. I find the notebook useful when I am researching the internet. While you can print the web page with information on it, I find their accumulation to be a bit too much and hard to review later on because of this. So, I print only what I determine is too much to be put into notes or is what I consider to be a record of importance to go in a special file. The goal should be whatever works for you to find and use the information that you have developed.
Storage Bin:
In my case, my old leather brief case works just great. It's has lots of deep pockets for putting folders into and a shoulder strap that makes the load a little easier to carry. I like the idea that it is mobile and can be taken along with me as I visit the library, court house, museum, or where ever I need to go on my search. My records are there for my reference. Again, what's important is a bin where you can store your hard copies of records and other information that you accumulate.
Computer:
If you already have a computer then you can understand how important a tool it is in handling information. You don't even need the most current system to satisfy your needs for genealogy. A used Pentium chip class computer with say 100 MHz or more speed will work fine if all you want to do is some word processing, genealogy and access to the internet. If you are into computers, get the best you can afford because we never have enough to satisfy our enthusiasm for instant responses and free software downloads. Reasonably speaking, somewhere in the middle is where you will want to be in chosing a computer because once you have it you will want to do more than you thought initially.
Genealogy Software:
My recommendation is to start out with what you can get for free on the internet and then up grade as you find a need to later on. I started with PAF (Personal Ancestral Family) software from the Later Day Saints and am now using Legacy. Any good genealogy software will let you export or import your your existing genealogy data files into ged-com file format. In the case of the Legacy software, I was able to import my PAF files without any need for conversion into ged-com files first (remember, ged-com are universal format for genealogy files). My point here is to see what free files are available to you, obtain one that you think you will like or someone has recommended to you. Then begin to familiarize yourself with what it can do to help you manage and research your your genealogy data. As you become more experienced with using this software, you will be in a better position to understand what a different software may offer to improve your file management system.
Internet:
A must for doing research that you can not do locally and for opening up new avenues of information that are not available anywhere but on the internet. My only recommendation is to get as fast a connection as you can afford to speed your journey around the world. This tool will provide many other benefits beside searching for genealogy information. You'll be able to establish your own family web site, participate in forum discussions, post your surnames on bulletin boards and much more.
Related Resources:
Genealogy: Sources of Information - Defines standard information sources available.
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