Family History Binder

I have been doing my family history research from time to time. I still have so much information to gather but it does not discourage me but inspires me to do more slowly. I still have a few papers and photos at hand and it's not so hard to manage right now. However, the reason why I wanted to organize my family history into a binder because;

First, I was so much inspired by one of the Sisters in our Relief Society. I assisted her  family history instead she taught me much more than I helped her. She brought her files to the Family History Center. A look at it, I thought that her family history is so rich in information. 

She told me that her mother does all that research and performed temple ordinances. "I saw her doing the research before but I don't mind and care", she shared. Now, she can feel how important all her mother's work, testimony, patience, and diligence. I too was able to feel how she felt. 

Second, I feel the need to organize. I understand this sister's need. Because of so many Family Group Records, she doesn't know which family, a family belongs to and which line she is going to do the research. It was a bit confusing. Her mother only understands the records. So, I thought, I should make my Family History Binder organize and understandable to my family and other persons.

So I came up with this...

Family History Binder

You'll need:

3-Ring Binder - I was able to buy at National Bookstore for only 41.50 pesos. I got this scrapbook kit from DESIGN BY KRISTA BLOG and used it for my family history binder cover. I printed it in 8" x 10" size and laminated with the film. I used double-sided adhesive to attached in front of my binder. I'm quite satisfied.

Plastic divider - This is a little expensive but I think you can improvise something like this if you want to make it cheaper. This will really help you organize because it allows you to separate documents accordingly.

Pedigree Chart & Family Group Records - You can buy this at Church's Distribution Center Store at Cebu Philippines Temple, Lahug, Cebu City if you're in Cebu. Or through our church's online store.

Sticker Dots - In National Bookstore, you will not find it with color. So, I just bought what is available there and color it with Stabilo Marker. It is better if there is available sticker dots with color that you can find.

Index Card - It is better to use 5" x 7" size. You'll use this for your Research Log.

 

Refillable Pockets for binder - To protect your papers and to hold your Family Group Records, pictures, and other important papers.

The Contents

• Cover Page: I used this page from Heritage Collector.

• Family Tree Art: I planned to include this Tree Art because I wanted to see my thumbprint on it of how many names were able to have Temple Ordinance. You can check my blog post on how I set up this Family tree art.

BLUE - Male

PINK - Female

YELLOW - Couple

• My Testimony Page:   Oh~~ that testimony page will really matter so much for my family and my next generation. I so wanted to include this into my binder.

•  Temple Ordinance Records  

            - List of names ready for Temple Ordinance. You can check Temple                                Ready name on your Family Search Account. Family Search will help you keep                        track of your temple work.

             - Keep the Family File Names Card. This is the Name Card you receive when                    you perform the ordinance. After that you all the ordinances have been done, you                    go back to the temple and get your card back and you can keep it.

Things To Do / Notes

            - List of you needs to do. As you go further on your family history work,                                ideas will come to your mind of things you need to do, you want to do and how are                    you going to do.

              - Ideas. Also, you'll start receiving more inspiration such as activities, reunion, family                 home evening, improvement of your binder, and more. You can jot it down in this                      section. You don't have to do it right away. Writing it down will help you keep the                        inspiration not to fade away.

Research Checklist / Sorting List

• Research checklist.  A simple checklist can keep your research focused, will give you a complete family overview of what records you're going to look for, and will help you decide what records or names you want to search for next.
• Research Log / Journal. This is important because if you haven't checked your paper for a long time, you start asking yourself, "Where did I get this information?" You start to wonder or doubt if your information is right. It happens to me. Keeping this research log will make your research more dependable.
• Sorting. PAF has different ways of printing your records. You can use this to sort out the record you want to check. It would also be helpful to your research.

• Pedigree Chart Here's how my Pedigree Chart looks:

• Number & Color Coding Legend: You can set up what color you like for coding. 

• Family Group Table

How to do this? Make sure you have assigned Family numbering on your Pedigree Chart. 

Like what I have shown you above. On your table of contents, number 1~10. Use dots with the right color respectively. And write the names of husband and wife. You can write the year of birth and death of the person deceased.

For example: 

Family No. 1 is my husband and I.

Family No. 2 is my Father and Mother.

Family No. 3 is my Grandfather and Grandmother.

Use plastic divider and place dot stickers with the right number of couples.

Fill out the Family Group Record for each family or couple with corresponding number. Include Research Log on each family on your Family Group Record. It will help you keep track of your research and your progress. 

At the back of your Family Group Record, include the picture of your family and other important papers or memorabilia that you may have. You can also make a scrapbook page with photos.

That's it. 

I hope that how I organize my family history will inspire you. My goal is to make our family history binder understandable, attainable, and rich of information.

Hope this post could give you inspiration as I was inspired by a Sister in our ward.

Have fun!