Researching the history of an historic piece of property can be very cool. But that excitement can certainly turn to frustration if you lose track of your exploration supplies. Before you get too far into the study of your house, settle how you will take charge of the facts you obtain. There is nothing more annoying than striving to discover an old scrap piece of paper that you know you took notes on – unless it is going over ground that you have previously enclosed because you cannot reminisce which sources you have looked at in the past. Because many of us will do our investigation over a period of months, or even years, it is not possible to recall what has already been completed exclusive of an organized file.
During my inquiries, I found it most helpful to utilize a three ring binder, with dividers segregating the numerous sources of research i.e., directories, title searches, correspondence, etc. I completed most of my interpretation on 8 1/2 ” x 11″ sheets of paper which might then be simply inserted into the proper portion of the binder. Writings on small scraps of paper likely to get lost. Photocopies made for the period of the search process will also be this size, making all consistent and trouble-free to file.
Keep details data in a log the moment you get it and keep a record, thoroughly, where and when a quest was made. Keep track of the whole thing you look at, even those matters which enclose no useful data. Record the source by author and title, or the profile number if that is how the institution listed it. Also list any contacts you make, whether by letter, phone or in person. Keeping a log can also facilitate you set up future trips as well. You can record the sources you want to assess when you go to the library, courthouse, etc. and jot down the call or microfilm statistics so you save time when you are at the repository.
Keep a research log for all of your on-line research as well. Again, you don’t want to keep revisiting websites you have previously checked in the past.
Organize your research tasks in a useful and logical manner. Settle what you need to be aware of and where you could locate it. Assemble a listing of particular tasks, noting where you need to go, to whom you need to talk, and what you expect to find, and the order in which you anticipate to push on. You can modify this list as you progress with your research.
As you begin to accumulate photographs, documents and newspaper trimmings, make sure that all of your copies manufactured on archival-quality paper. All storage boxes and binder sleeves must be archival safe as well. Sooner than storing photos, make sure you label each one with a photo-safe marking pencil, noting the date, location and any subjects in the photo.
By using this folder ways to organization, you will have all of your research in one convenient location. The consequence is that you can return to your study days or even years later and have the ability to pick up where you concluded.
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