| There are approximately 12 steps if you are | | | | highlighted copy in each of the colored folders. |
| planning to organize your family tree. But I | | | | Print 16 more copies of your 5-generation |
| summarized the entire guide and ended up with 9. | | | | pedigree chart with you as 1 on the chart. On one |
| In order to get things started you have to | | | | of the pedigree charts, highlight the names of all |
| prepare the following materials. | | | | persons with the same last name using the color |
| File boxes with lids Colored hanging file folders | | | | assigned to that last name. File the highlighted |
| Standard green hanging files Manila folders Pens | | | | pedigree chart in its last name hanging file folder. |
| Highlighters Labels for folders Dot or star Stickers | | | | Repeat the process of highlighting a last name line |
| Lined paper Additional boxes to expand your | | | | and filing the pedigree chart in its hanging folder |
| storage A carrying case to hold all of this in Wall | | | | for each of the 16 last names of your |
| size pedigree chart. | | | | great-great grandparents. This may seem tedious, |
| Pedigree charts can be found at most genealogy | | | | but you will appreciate how much easier it makes |
| websites and local libraries. | | | | things later. |
| Steps in tracing down you Family Genealogy: | | | | 5. Set up manila folders for each of the families |
| 1. Organize your family pedigree charts - Print a | | | | by putting a colored labels on the file tab. Match |
| complete set of all your pedigree charts. You | | | | the label color to the color of each family group |
| have to start with your name and working | | | | record. Be sure to use sticky labels. Sticky labels |
| backwards. Choose a color among the hanging | | | | are great because if you have to change |
| folders and label it "Pedigree Charts". Then put all | | | | something, you just place a label over the existing |
| the printed pedigree charts in it. Fill them out as | | | | one. They help keep things organized. |
| much as you can. It is much easier if you do it | | | | 6. Place the manila family history folders in hanging |
| with some close in the family. Maybe the older | | | | folders, matching the color of the label on the |
| the better because the more info you can fill out | | | | manila family folder to the color of the hanging file |
| now, the easier it will be later. | | | | folder. Color coding everything makes things so |
| 2. To start your family genealogy, print a colored | | | | much easier to find later. |
| copy of the Circled 5 Generation Pedigree Chart. | | | | 7. In a family folder place the family group record |
| You are the 5th generation and your sixteen | | | | of the family, documents you have already |
| great grandparents are the first generation. Refer | | | | gathered for that family, and any notes you have |
| to the color code provided in the chart to fill in | | | | taken on the family. |
| the rest. | | | | 8. Set up other files containing letters, photos, |
| 3. Place 16 hanging file folders in your box. You will | | | | emails, birth certificates, etc. Anything that you |
| need 16 boxes for all your great grandparent, you | | | | can think of that may fit into its own category, |
| may need more later but let just start with 16. | | | | make a file for it. It makes it much easier to |
| Separate 8 folder, then label them with the | | | | locate later. |
| surnames of each of your 8 great grandfather. | | | | 9. When one of your files gets too big to fit into |
| The remaining 8 folder will be labeled by the | | | | your box, simply move it to another box. Take |
| maiden names of your 8 great grandmothers. | | | | as many boxes as you need to get all the |
| This part is quite difficult since you have to get all | | | | information you need. Having multiple organized |
| of the surnames and maiden names of your first | | | | boxes is much better than having it all in one box |
| generation. You need all the help you can get, do | | | | unorganized and a jumbled mess. |
| as many as you can and try to communicate | | | | Again, there are many websites that offers |
| with relatives who may know their names. You | | | | extensive family research which can give you |
| can also conduct a family research to track your | | | | accurate results if you have troubles in filling the |
| family history. | | | | names in your family tree. You can always ask |
| 4. Use the highlighter and highlight your 5- | | | | for their services in case you are desperately in |
| generation pedigree chart. Then place the | | | | need of the missing name. |