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Shaking Your Family Tree

July 08, 1999
	Books for Family Historians of All Ages by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, C.G.
A professional colleague warned me that genealogical papers breed. Any family historian can verify that. So how do you cope with stacks of files and all this paper (paperless society, indeed). I've been waiting a long time for some organized person to tell me how to handle this mess. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack does so in her latest book -- Organizing Your Family History Search: Efficient & Effective Ways to Gather and Protect Your Genealogical Research. I highlighted the following part in her book and waved it under the nose of my "clean-desk'' spouse: "So keeping your desk cluttered with 20 percent of the things you use the most is more productive than keeping it clutter free. The items you need today are probably the same items you will need to use tomorrow, next week or next month. It makes sense to keep them handy.'' I think I'll copy this (if I can find the copier) and put it right next to the sign in my office that says: "A Clean Desk Is the Sign of a Sick Mind.'' Carmack offers advice to save you time, money and space -- whether you have a whole room dedicated to your genealogical addiction or just a few boxes. This book is packed with great tips for being more organized and efficient, and is written by someone who obviously has "been there, done that'' and knows whereof she speaks. Perhaps there is hope for me. Chapters include such topics as: - Why Genealogists Need to be Organized - Creating and Maintaining a Family History Filing System - Oh No! Not More Files! - Making Your Research Trip Count - Packing for Research Trips - Organizing a Research Project - There's More to Organize Than Your Research - Finding Room in Your House for Your Genealogy Stuff - Organization for Professional Genealogists - Organizing and Preserving Your Genealogy for the Future Organizing Your Family History Search is available ($16.99) from Betterway Books, F&W Publications, 1507 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45207 and in bookstores throughout the country. STAR BREAK Through The Eyes Of Your Ancestors: A Step by Step Guide to Uncovering Your Family's History is an excellent book by Maureen Taylor. Designed to help young readers approach the hobby of genealogy and uncover the secrets and adventures of their ancestors, this well-written and designed book is perfect for children ages 8 to 11. It is divided into 10 short chapters, including: - What Does That Mean? - Where to Find Help - Helpful Technology - A Land of Many Cultures - Wartime America Everybody's family has a story. This book will guide young would-be genealogists in your family through the process of becoming one. Through The Eyes Of Your Ancestors is published by Houghton Mifflin Company, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116; http://www.hmco.com/trade/. It is available (86 pages in paperback edition for $8.95) wherever books are sold or through the publisher's customer service at (800) 225-3362. (c) 1999, Los Angeles Times Syndicate Myra Vanderpool Gormley and Julie Case are co-editors of Missing Links, a free weekly genealogy e-zine. To subscribe, send your request to: Missing Links Newsletter Return to Myra Vanderpool Gormley Main Page Return to Columns Main Page
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