Confusion - Selecting Tool

Thinking thru the process — I like Drusilla Pair’s visual (as posted on the Genealogy Do-Over Facebook page) of the research process but I’m not getting very far with figuring out the nuts and bolts of my process. Since I’m trying to digitize my source files, this do-over process is an excellent opportunity to establish a procedure for moving away from paper research.

My current genealogy software (Master Genealogist) allows for the attachment of images and files to an individual. Images are viewable but the PDF files are not. The software that I may transition to also allows me to ‘attach’ images and pdf files. Both also have the ability to do research logs and task lists. I already have a lot of source templates configured in Master Genealogist.

After reading many of the posts and blogs, it appears that most participants are not going to use their genealogy software to track the research process. Instead they are going to use other resources such as Evernote, OneNote, Evidentia or Google Drive.

Over a year ago, I participated in a webinar using Google Drive to track research. One of the advantages of this tool is the ability to have an online form for each source that automatically populates the spreadsheet. Because questions are built into the form to force one to evaluate the source (primary/secondary, quality of image, etc.) it would be a very valuable tool. However, I’m not sold on Google Drive as the primary tool for the research process.

I have used Evernote in my professional life (a little) and it has a strong following in the genealogy community. I’ve found quite a few templates on Cyndi’s List ( http://www.cyndislist.com/evernote/templates/).

Within the past month, I watched a video on OneNote and became intrigued about using it as my research process tool. OneNote appeals to me visually and so far appears to better organize the information.

Each tool has its advantages/disadvantages. Unfortunately, I need to decide which one to use and then learn how to set it up. Otherwise, I will end up with something in each tool — and a disorganized mess.

Confusion Reigning – ‪#‎Wk1GenealogyDoOver