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Printable Version Indexing the past


<P>I had an enquiry via Lynda of BLHS for info about the Broughtons in Barlick.  I did what I usually do, go to my index cards and see what I have and did a doc on the Broughtons.  It struck me that when I do these responses I should post them on the site under genealogy.  Then it struck me that a word on idexing might not be out of place.</P>
<P>This is really for the serious researchers out there who are prepared to become 'sad gits who do nothing but look at the past'.  I don't agree with this assessment but it is often how historians are regarded.  All I can do is quote: 'Those who ignore the lessons of the past are most liable to repeat the mistakes'</P>
<P>Anyone who is not in the above caregory but still has an interest can contact me any time to see what treasures my index holds.</P>
<P>Over the years I have always noted references and facts down on 5X3 index cards and kept them in order in special filing cabinets.  I reckon there are over 25,000 to date.  I chose index cards before computers were invented but if I was starting today I would still use them rather than the computer for two reasons; They are permanent, the hard disk failure or virus can't destroy them.  The process of looking through the cards for an item always throws up something entirely unrelated as you leaf through them.  This doesn't happen with a computerised database.</P>
<P>Indexing is a very personal thing.  No two people will ever index the same way.  I always cross reference, I index the same fact or name under every name contained in the original entry.  This generates a lot of cards but is handy if you forget a name or an association.</P>
<P>Handwritten cards are fine but if you have a computer with a word processor on it life is much easier.  I can only talk about Word 2000, you may have to do a bit of a dig if you are using something different.</P>
<P>In Word, look in templates and you'll find one for index cards, open it up and make sure it is set for the size of card you are going to use.  Save the template to your My Docs folder as 'Index Card'.  All you have to do now is open it up and start indexing.  Put in the heading for your fact in capitals and then write your entry in lower case below.  When you have done this, look at the entry and see if there are any other names which are pertinent.   Select the body of the text on the original card and copy it to clipboard.  Move down onto a new card by pressing return, put in your new heading in capitals and then paste the original entry in underneath.  When you have generated enough cards or finished your task just load index cards into your printer, click print and watch your cards roll off.</P>
<P>One of the beauties about this is you can be working on a document with 'Index Card' in the background and copy and paste info from the doc straight into a card.  It is fast, easy and permanent.</P>
<P>If you need any more info, just mail me, I'll be glad to help.</P>
<P>Stanley.</P>

 Hits:  3699
 Rating:   Rating:9  Votes:3 (Rating Scale: 1 = worst, 10 = best)
 Added on:  11/04/2004
 Author/Source:  SCG
 Author's contact:  n/a
 Posted by:  Stanley
 Comments:  3 Comment(s)
Comments:  

  By: melteaser on 28/07/2005
Very informative.

  By: peteaharrison on 20/11/2005
Interesting...particularly the reference to "what treasures my idex holds" (from a 'happy git' with plenty to do in addition to family research!)

  By: princessk4ren on 24/08/2006
I am searching, for a retiring doctor, these index card filing cabinets. Can you please advise as to where you can purchase them? Many thanks.



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