This screencast completes the series on how to create a system of folders in which to store your genealogy and family history files. In future articles I’ll show you the secret sauce that will make this folder system even more valuable.
The video will show you step-by-step, how to create a folder for surnames and folders for people with that name. It also presents a specific naming convention for the people folders that eliminates confusion over different people with the same name.
Download this video to your computer for your private use [available to members only (you choose the amount to donate)].
Similar Posts
- Genealogy File and Folder Organization System for Mac, Part 7
- Genealogy File and Folder Organization System for Mac, Part 6
- Genealogy File and Folder Organization System for Mac, Part 5
- Genealogy File and Folder Organization System for Mac, Part 2
- Genealogy File and Folder Organization System for Mac, Part 1
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you also put a folder for your grandmother in a surname folder with her maiden name? Since reunion files everyone under their given birth name, it seems that you may have duplication by having married women filed under their spouses surname folder. Just curious.
Great screencasts!! Thanks for taking the time to do it.
Vicki
Vicki, you are very close to my suggested solution. I recommend creating an alias to the folder in a surname folder bearing her maiden name. I also recommend adding the maiden name to the folder name. This is all covered in screencast 4, Using Mac Finder Aliases for Genealogy Files, Part 1, People with Multiple Names.
I’m not sure I follow your point about Reunion. Are referring to the way Reunion will link to the external files? If so, that’s a benefit of using aliases. There is only one original file and one or more aliases (pointers) to it. Reunion 9 treats the aliases just like the actual file, just as it should. If that was not your point, can you please explain it a different way? I value your input and want to understand.
Thanks and you’re welcome!
—Ben
Hi Ben
Many thanks for these three videos. I am now finding it so easy to file away masses of information amassed over the years and be sure I can retrieve it when needed. You are amazing,
From a grateful fan
Dee
In the “My Family History” folder do you suggest having a folder for photos as well? Or, are you suggesting the photos be filed in the corresponding Surname folder? The majority of all my photos are stored in iPhoto. Is there a better way for them to be included in the My Family History folder? Can aliases be created for photos in iPhoto?
Yes, I am really puzzled about whether or not and how to utilize iPhoto, especially since currently I am using Family Tree Maker 2012 (Windows version) in Parallels on my mac. I had to locate the FTM folder in My Documents on the Windows side in order for some functions to work. I don’t think Windows likes iPhoto. In fact, I’m not sure I like iPhoto – it moves things automatically into categories like events & photos without asking me, and I can’t figure out where the actual image files are located in order to connect them with other software. But I know other people think it’s great and I would like to use the facial identification/recognition feature. Maybe if I knew how to use it, it would be really helpful, particularly in connection with genealogy images. So as Fran J. asked, can you fit iPhoto into your system somehow? Her post was 2 years ago – do you have another post somewhere about this?
I wouldn’t access the photos in iTunes by linking to files in its folders.
I keep photos in iPhoto and my own folder structure.
These video tutorials are lifesavers!!! I am learning so much that will make my record keeping less tedious. Thank you so much.
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