Steve: After reading your message as well as the thoughtful and very helpful replies, I'd like to offer my suggestions and comments. You seem to be asking several questions that we all ask ourselves as we start our quest for information about our ancestors. These questions will never really go away because the answers change as technology and research methods evolve forcing us to regularly revisit these same questions. Here are the questions I think you're asking and my suggestions and comments. 1. How to document genealogical material such as newspaper articles, photos, etc. You need to develop a record collection process system that uses traditional record documentation techniques such as numbering documents, analyzing them and preserving them so they'll last as long as possible. This system includes file cabinet/s, file folders, folder labels, transparent document holders (acid free), divider tabs, etc. It is very important to document when, and from where, you obtain the material and then to index and file it so you can find it again. By placing the material in a safe place (out of reach of the kids and other curious persons), you'll help ensure the material will remain a valuable part of your research. 2. How to save/record and organize newspaper articles, photos, etc. I file the material in a file cabinet using an index and file system that allows me to easily find any document. I also scan each document, (newspaper articles, photos, birth, marriage and death certificates, military discharge papers, etc.) and give it an index number that mirrors the one assigned to it in my paper system. Then I save the digital file in a file folder on my computer using a file system that looks very much like my file system in the file cabinet. For example, under "My Documents" I have a folder titled "Genealogy". Under "Genealogy" I have a folder titled "Pennington". Under "Pennington" I have several folders with titles like "Photos", "Census Records", "Maps", "Biographies", "Birth-Marriage-Death Certificates", "Bible Records" and on and on. I can make up additional folders as the need arises. I can easily move/copy digital files from one folder to anther. This makes it much, much easier for me to find files/material when I go looking for them. I then place a copy of these digitized files in my genealogy software program as sources/evidence, pictures of people, etc. To see what these look like, please visit my personal genealogy website at --> http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~genepenn/ . This website includes pictures and digitized files used as sources/evidence, etc. To help ensure I don't loose these important files, I make backups of all my digital files and keep one back up in my safe deposit box and the other back up in my office. I want to stress how important it is to make backups of your data on a regular basis (weekly if not daily) and to keep at least one copy of your backed up data (for the previous month) in a safe location away from your home. 3. How to record people and events you wish to preserve as part of your research. It's my opinion that most good genealogy programs helps a researcher to record two basic things - people and events. Each of these have their own unique pieces of information (data) that need to be recorded as well. How well a genealogy software program let's you record this information, and how well it helps you to create a variety of reports is also very important. In today's Internet age, it is also important how well, and easily, the program helps you create a genealogy website and/or a CD. I have used Family Tree Maker, but not recently. I use RootsMagic and The Master Genealogist all the time. I recommend Family Tree Maker for beginning computer and genealogy researchers, however, as you read in the replies, many intermediate to advanced researchers use Family Tree Maker. I recommend RootsMagic for computer and genealogy beginners to advanced users. I recommend The Master Genealogist for intermediate to advanced computer users and those who consider themselves intermediate or advanced researchers. Each software program has it's advantages and downsides, however, it is my opinion that RootsMagic is the best overall genealogy software program. It offers almost all the "bells and whistles" you could possibly want in a genealogy software program, offers great reports (and a wide variety of reports) and is easy to use. All of these programs have free downloads for you to try (Rick's reply has the website addresses). I hope you find these suggestions and comments helpful. Gene Pennington (Group 7) Chairman Research Director Pennington Research Association, Inc. www.PenningtonResearch.org

Hello Gene: This was most helpful. I currently use Family Tree Maker. However, RootsMagic sounds interesting. Can one easily transfer the Gedcom from FTM to a RootsMagic software format? I'm headed to VA in May and will check out RootsMagic software. I'll also take a look at Master Genealogists. The numbering system for the files and documents for consistency is what interests me. I'm not consistent enough. Do you have a reference book or guide to learn your filing and numbering system? Thanks. Rose Powers Somraty Yarbrough -----Original Message----- From: pra-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:pra-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Gene Pennington Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 1:55 AM To: pra@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PRA] software recommendations Steve: After reading your message as well as the thoughtful and very helpful replies, I'd like to offer my suggestions and comments. You seem to be asking several questions that we all ask ourselves as we start our quest for information about our ancestors. These questions will never really go away because the answers change as technology and research methods evolve forcing us to regularly revisit these same questions. Here are the questions I think you're asking and my suggestions and comments. 1. How to document genealogical material such as newspaper articles, photos, etc. You need to develop a record collection process system that uses traditional record documentation techniques such as numbering documents, analyzing them and preserving them so they'll last as long as possible. This system includes file cabinet/s, file folders, folder labels, transparent document holders (acid free), divider tabs, etc. It is very important to document when, and from where, you obtain the material and then to index and file it so you can find it again. By placing the material in a safe place (out of reach of the kids and other curious persons), you'll help ensure the material will remain a valuable part of your research. 2. How to save/record and organize newspaper articles, photos, etc. I file the material in a file cabinet using an index and file system that allows me to easily find any document. I also scan each document, (newspaper articles, photos, birth, marriage and death certificates, military discharge papers, etc.) and give it an index number that mirrors the one assigned to it in my paper system. Then I save the digital file in a file folder on my computer using a file system that looks very much like my file system in the file cabinet. For example, under "My Documents" I have a folder titled "Genealogy". Under "Genealogy" I have a folder titled "Pennington". Under "Pennington" I have several folders with titles like "Photos", "Census Records", "Maps", "Biographies", "Birth-Marriage-Death Certificates", "Bible Records" and on and on. I can make up additional folders as the need arises. I can easily move/copy digital files from one folder to anther. This makes it much, much easier for me to find files/material when I go looking for them. I then place a copy of these digitized files in my genealogy software program as sources/evidence, pictures of people, etc. To see what these look like, please visit my personal genealogy website at --> http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~genepenn/ . This website includes pictures and digitized files used as sources/evidence, etc. To help ensure I don't loose these important files, I make backups of all my digital files and keep one back up in my safe deposit box and the other back up in my office. I want to stress how important it is to make backups of your data on a regular basis (weekly if not daily) and to keep at least one copy of your backed up data (for the previous month) in a safe location away from your home. 3. How to record people and events you wish to preserve as part of your research. It's my opinion that most good genealogy programs helps a researcher to record two basic things - people and events. Each of these have their own unique pieces of information (data) that need to be recorded as well. How well a genealogy software program let's you record this information, and how well it helps you to create a variety of reports is also very important. In today's Internet age, it is also important how well, and easily, the program helps you create a genealogy website and/or a CD. I have used Family Tree Maker, but not recently. I use RootsMagic and The Master Genealogist all the time. I recommend Family Tree Maker for beginning computer and genealogy researchers, however, as you read in the replies, many intermediate to advanced researchers use Family Tree Maker. I recommend RootsMagic for computer and genealogy beginners to advanced users. I recommend The Master Genealogist for intermediate to advanced computer users and those who consider themselves intermediate or advanced researchers. Each software program has it's advantages and downsides, however, it is my opinion that RootsMagic is the best overall genealogy software program. It offers almost all the "bells and whistles" you could possibly want in a genealogy software program, offers great reports (and a wide variety of reports) and is easy to use. All of these programs have free downloads for you to try (Rick's reply has the website addresses). I hope you find these suggestions and comments helpful. Gene Pennington (Group 7) Chairman Research Director Pennington Research Association, Inc. www.PenningtonResearch.org *************************************** Please note NEW address to post to the list: PRA@rootsweb.com ************************************** For more information about the PRA including our DNA Study, visit us at http://www.penningtonresearch.org ************************************** Learn what's new at the PRA by going to http://www.penningtonresearch.org and click on the "News" link on the left side of the page. ************************************** ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PRA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message