Evernote Tags for Genealogy

[ATTN:  This article was originally published on 7 May 2014. It has now been moved here from the old blog host and it will require updating soon.]

One of the powers behind Evernote is the search function. And tags for notes make that search even more powerful. Think of tags this way: they function just as tabs do in your physical notebooks. They help to sub-divide, thus sort, the contents within a notebook.

You can create up to 10,000 different tags. You can have up to 100 tags per note, but that is overkill. I suggest you give notes at least once relevant tag. Two or three should do it in most cases.

Suggestions for tag types:

• Family group name(s) within a surname notebook
  For example, within my INGLE, ENGLE, ENGEL notebook I have tags for David Henry Ingle, Adam Monroe Ingle, Mathias Engel, etc. These are my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd great grandfathers. I then tag notes for anyone who is a descendant of these people.
• Individual's name
  This can be used if you want to tag each individual person in a family group. However, I wouldn't do this for all people in your research. You have a total limit of 10,000 tags. I would only create tags for individuals that have a high profile in your research.
• Maiden names
  Because a notebook will be for the husband's surname, tagging a maiden name of a wife helps you sort.
• Record type
  For example: Deed, Census, Will, Taxes, Military, Pension, Map, County History, etc.
• Repository name
  For example, specific archives, libraries, or web sites used for the research contained within the note. I have notes tagged "FHL" for the Family History Library or "ACPL" for the Allen County Public Library.
• Tasks to Accomplish
  For example:
  • "Add to Genealogy Database"
  • "Find Original Source"
  • "Create Citation"
  • "Confirm"
  • "More Evidence Needed"
  • "To Read"
  • "To Transcribe"
• Genealogical Education
  • ____ Webinar Notes
  • ____ Conference Notes
  • ____ Lecture Notes
  • Syllabus/Handouts

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Evernote for Every Genealogist

http://www.CyndisList.com/evernote 

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