Keeping Your Archive

Keep copious records

Remember that every bit of your research into your genealogy and family history is valuable: it is a legacy that you can pass down to future generations (they will appreciate it one day!) So make notes; keep records of where and how you found bits of information; make photocopies of any relevant documents. Note also the bits of hearsay that may or may not be true; and the false leads (to save fruitless duplication of effort in the future.)

Storing the information

You are likely very soon to acquire a mass of materials. Some of this can be stored on computer (including family trees). But for the rest of it you'll probably need files and boxes (for documents, photos, postcards and so on). As a general rule, choose ways of keeping your material that are both flexible and accessible. Thus a ringbinder, into which you can clip new items in any order, may well prove more satisfactory than a bound scrapbook. Keep as much information as you can on the computer  where you can easily update it and add to it.

Forever a work-in-progress

Remember that tracing genealogy and family history is an on-going project: the task can never be fully completed. Don't wait to produce a definitive family tree or write up a conclusive family history narrative: they can never be either definitive or conclusive. Instead, start drafting these early in the process, with a view to adding to them and amending them later, as and when you can. From time to time, you might like to print up your work-in-progress. If you send it to relatives, they are very likely to be fascinated  and you'll be amazed at the further memories and revelations that this inspires.