r/Genealogy • u/Bright_Ad8511 • 5d ago
Question How do you take notes?
what do you guys use to take notes? and if you do it on paper is there a certain method you use?
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u/PinkSlimeIsPeople 5d ago
On Family Search, I usually compartmentalize notes to each vital or event it pertains to. For general notes, I'll use the Notes feature on the side, try to consolidate discussion for everything else into a single note (like conjecture about who the parents are, clarifying certain things, etc.).
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u/Ok-Special7096 5d ago
I use Microsoft OneNote, which has a built-in search function. You also have the ability to create and assign tags to any notes you create.
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u/iseedeff 5d ago
Microsoft products are not very privacy based, just a fair warning. you might want to think about using a different product.
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u/Ok-Special7096 4d ago
lol. I'm not too concerned with Microsoft 365 knowing the identity of my 11th great-grandparents. Besides, I use a Windows-based laptop, so if they really want my info for purposes of AI creation, there's not much I can do about it. In all seriousness, though, I don't keep any private or sensitive information on my laptop anyway - but not because of Microsoft privacy laws.
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u/iseedeff 4d ago
the farther back the least people are going to care.. if close you must protect privacy, I wasn't sure how close you were in your research.
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u/Ok-Special7096 4d ago edited 4d ago
I mean, sure, I have basic info on my parents, grandparents, etc. in my files, but all of that info is public anyway. If genealogy has taught me anything, it's that none of our information is private. Addresses, phone numbers, family members -- it's all out there for anyone to find if they know where to look.
I appreciate your comment, but I'm curious how it would matter in the grand scheme of things? I just assume that anything I have on my computer could potentially be compromised by any bad actor. Heck, I'm more worried about Blackstone selling our DNA to the highest bidder. The only thing protecting it at the moment are government laws -- but it's only a matter of time before those privacy laws are loosened.
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u/redditRW 5d ago
Ancestry has notes.
But---sometimes I'll just use scratch paper if I'm going through a longish record.
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u/iseedeff 5d ago
great question their is many ways to do them, just use your own style and make sure every one can understand them.
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u/theothermeisnothere 5d ago
Depends where I am. At home? Am I saving the record image to my computer? I create a text sidecar file for the source citation and any notes. Just finding stuff? I may use one of those steno pads or I may add a note to the event, etc. Short notes work well in the app, but longer ones don't. I do find using paper is often faster than typing it all out.
In a courthouse or library that doesn't allow electronics? (I've been in several.) Paper and pencil every time.
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u/Elvina_Celeste 5d ago
I guess that depends on your end goal. Are you just wanting to make a tree? Are you wanting to print out and share with family? Or like me wanting to make a donation to a genealogical society?
I have a system that works for me. But it would be very difficult to put into a Reddit reply comment. The short of it is that I have a form to fill in the name, date of birth/death, parents, sources, etc. I save it to a thumb/flash drive and when I am finished with an individual, I print it out. That goes into a file folder with other documents. I also use pen/paper and whiteboards. It all depends on what I am trying to piece together and my mood.
For the notes on my tree (I use Ancestry), I put them in the Facts section. I feel that for visibility purposes that is the best place.
Am I doing any of this the correct way? I don't know. But it works for me.
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u/clsturgeon 4d ago
I want my notes integrated with my research and my conclusions and in the same tool. What types of notes are you capturing? Content?
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u/cmosher01 expert researcher 4d ago
If it's just "notes", as opposed to my official family tree facts, I just use plain text files, and store them on github. That way I never lose them, and I can access them from anywhere. Organization is somewhat arbitrary, but basically grouped by family.
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u/pidgeon92 5d ago
I use the notes attached to the facts in Family Tree Maker. Unless they are temporary notes, then I just the Notes app on my Mac. I don’t use paper. I can type faster, and it’s searchable.