Overwhelmed? Let's Talk Organization!

Organization is a major issue for a lot of people.  I'm not exception.  I'm working very hard at organizing some things in my life,  but I can tell you right now,  it's not easy.  

Organization covers alot of ground.  It applies to lots of different aspects of our lives.  Things that we need to organize in order not to feel overwhelmed can include all sorts of things - for example -

• Kitchen
• Closets
• Daily Chores
• Computer Files
• Garage
• Collections (in my case my cookbook collection)
• Offices

And the list could go on and on.  But the problem is, we only have so many hours in a day.  So we pick and choose what we choose to work on.  And we stick to those choices and see it thru.

Last year I went thru all my closets (except Mr. Brown Eye's).  One closet a week.  All items taken out, gone thru.  Some stuff donated, some stuff moved to another location, some stuff just tossed in trash.  Deciding what I needed, what I didn't was a major chore.  But I did it.  It's not just about our household organization but our genealogy space organization. So I also did my office closet and desk.

Whether you have a room you call an office or whether you have a corner desk in the living room for your genealogy, organization is a major issue.  There is nothing worse, at least to me, to go to a major repository to research, make a MAJOR find, go to type it in your computer data base only to discover its ALREADY THERE!!!!!!!!!    And I know that you've done that.  We all have.  Because we haven't taken the time to stop digging long enough to dig ourselves out of the mess & clutter we call our "office" or "genealogy desk".    If we stopped researching, just for a week or two, and took the time to get rid of the piles of papers, the clutter, the mass of disorganization, what a difference it would make in your productivity.  Yes, I know its hard!  

Just think if your desk wasn't covered in piles of paper you could have a list of exactly what you want to search for.  Then when you have 15 minutes to sit down and research, you'll know exactly what you want to look and where!  It would make such a difference in how you see things.  With a decluttered desk you won't feel so overwhelmed. 

There is a Facebook page for genealogy organization, "The Organized Genealogist".  It is a closed group, meaning you will have to ask to be included.  Keep in mind that reading all the posts can be very overwhelming.  But there is alot there, with the focus being on organizing your genealogy.  No genealogy surnames or such allowed.  Great group. 

So what will you take time to organize this week?  Have you recently reorganized your genealogy space?  Do you wish you had done it sooner?

Tombstone Tuesday - Forgive & Forget - Doesn't Appear So!

Headstone Ann Margaret "Martha" Cook

1774-1863

  The headstone of my 5th great grandmother, Ann Margaret "Martha" Cook.  She was married to my 5th great grandfather, Christian W. Cook.  I wish I could tell you who her parents were, but I don't know.  

  Margaret dies 13 NOV 1863 at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 2 days.  She rests in Slifers Cemetery, Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio.  Her husband, Christian rests in an unmarked grave next to her (according to the readings I have found).  

 Margaret left a will, dated 21 JUN 1852, Montgomery County Will book Vol. G, Pg 17.  In it she names her children - Ann Margaret, Henry, Frederick, Elizabeth (heirs of),  Mary (heirs of), John (Heirs of), Sarah, Christina and Michael.  She names one other daughter, Catherine Cook Boomershine, but leaves her and her family only $1 in her will.  

I believe the following had something to do with that decision:

  "Boomershine, Abraham & wife, Catherine vs Margaret Cook et al 28 MAR 1849. Petition for partition for 1/10th share of SE 1/4 S23 T4 R4 -160 acres owned by Christian Cook dec'd. in Jackson Twp. Left widow Ann Margaret......."

Seems Margaret didn't take lightly to that little challenge and didn't forget about it either!  I wanted the paper to prove the relationship but I'd rather have found it shown in other ways!  

Tombstone Tuesday - Gertrude Miller

                                    Mrs. Gertrude Miller Services Tuesday, June 25 at 4 p.m

  Funeral services for Mrs. Gertrude S. Miller, 75, were held at the Spring Hill Christian Church at 4 p.m. Tuesday with Rev. J. W. McAdams and Rev. W. E. Pledger officiating.  Internment was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

  Mrs. Miller died at Grady General hospital following a long illness at 1:30 p.m. Monday June 24.

  Active pallbearers were Hubert Ansley, Robert Ansley, Herschel Ansley, Lamon Barfield, Tommy Jo Ricks and Clarence Ansley.

  Mrs. Miller was born in Thomas County on June 22, 1888, daughter of the late Annie Hester and George Sellars.  She had lived all her life in this area and was a member of the Spring Hill Christian Church.

  Survivors include Mrs. Esther N. Barfield, Whigham; Mrs Carrie Mae Ansley, Pelham; Mrs Ethel Lee Ricks, Ochlocknee; Mrs. Annie E. Ansley, Ellenton, Fla., Mrs. Mary G. Radney, Tampa, Fla., Mrs. Bernice E. Sellars, Pelham; Mrs. Erie Inez Beckwith, Ochlocknee; W.D. Sellars, Cairo; Sam Sellars, Cairo; Jack Sellars, Cairo; Walter Sellars, Cairo; Lindsey Sellars, Cairo; M.C. Sellars, Terra Ceia, Fla.; Mrs. M.M. Kinchen, Cairo; Mrs. Ethel Bridges, Hawkinsville; Mrs. Mary Starnes, Tampa, Flya [sic]; 24 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

  Arrangements were in charge of Miller funeral home.

Tombstone Tuesday - Annie E. Ansley

Annie E. Ansley

Annie E. Ansley, 81, of Bradenton, Died July 19, 2001, in Integrated Health Services at the River.

Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pentacostals of Bradenton, 5223 Ninth Street East, Bradenton. Burial will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. Shannon Funeral Home Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Thomas County Georgia., Mrs. Ansley came to Manatee County from Grady County in 1947. She was a seamstress.

Survivors include her husband, David C., a daughter, Inez Anderson of Bradenton, Four sisters, Esther Barfield, Madee and Bernice Sellers all of Pelham, Georgia and Gertrude Matthews of Tampa; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

[Bloggers note: Annie E. Ansley nee Nix was my grandmother, she was predeceased by two sons, Clarence (my dad) and Lynwood.]

Happy Researching!
Karen