Kerry Scott - How to use Evernote for genealogy: a step-by-step guide to organize your research and boost your genealogy productivity

Cincinnati, Ohio
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CHAPTER 1
GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH EVERNOTE

Evernote isnt quite like any other genealogy tool. In this chapter, well discuss just what this free software is all about and why its exactly what you need to become a better genealogist.

CHAPTER 2
GETTING STARTED IN EVERNOTE

In this chapter, well go over how to download Evernote, set up an account, and create your first note. Well also discuss in detail the big question: Basic (free) account, Plus subscription, or Premium subscription?

CHAPTER 3
ORGANIZING IN EVERNOTE

Sometimes its hard to get started because youre stuck on trying to figure out an organization scheme. In this chapter, well explore a variety of ways to structure your data. Well also talk about Evernotes built-in tools to keep you organized.

CHAPTER 4
FINDING DATA IN EVERNOTE

Its no use having lots of great information about your ancestors if you cant find it again. Evernote has you covered with a fast, user-friendly search function. In this chapter, well go over how to ensure you can find exactly what you need, when you need it.

CHAPTER 5
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAGS

Tags arent just for finding what youre looking for. Theyre a secret weapon you can use to help analyze your data and spot patterns, hidden clues, and connections between people, places, and things. In this chapter, youll find lots of ideas on how to use tags to break down your brick walls.

CHAPTER 6
USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF DATA

In this chapter, well explore all the genealogy items you can include in your Evernote notes. From photos to documents to web clippings to audio files, youll learn exactly how to work with the wide range of information Evernote can accommodate.

CHAPTER 7
SHARING AND COLLABORATING

Dead people are great, but most of us have to occasionally interact with living cousins and colleagues at some point. This chapter will show you all of the ways Evernote can make the collaboration process run smoothly so you can concentrate on finding more ancestors.

CHAPTER 8
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

How does a real-life genealogist use Evernote on a daily basis? In this chapter, youll find out. Youll see concrete examples and a long list of ideas for how you can use Evernote to be a more successful family historian.

CHAPTER 9
SYNCING AND SECURING YOUR EVERNOTE DATA ON MOBILE DEVICES

Evernote is portable, and it works on all of your devices. Thats a great benefit, but it brings some special security challenges. In this chapter, well talk about how to keep your important data safe and secure, even on the road.

CHAPTER 10
ENHANCING EVERNOTE WITH EXTERNAL TOOLS

A host of add-ons make Evernote even better. In this chapter, well talk about tools to help you get the most out of your Evernote experience.

CHAPTER 11
PROTECTING YOUR EVERNOTE FILES

As genealogists, we know the importance of being good stewards of our familys history. This chapter will show you how to back up your data in a number of ways so theyre preserved for future generations.

CHAPTER 12
TROUBLESHOOTING

Sometimes things go wrong. Before you panic, check out this chapter, where youll find solutions for the most common stumbling blocks for Evernote users. Well also talk about where to go for more help, advice, and support when you need it.

The first time I tried Evernote, I hated it. I couldnt see the point at all. I opened it up, and it looked more or less like a word processor. I couldnt see what all the hype was about. I already knew how to use a word processor, and I couldnt imagine why anyone would use one just to take notes. Thats what a pen and paper are for, right?

I closed the application and left it closed for more than a year.

When I heard another mom talking about how she used Evernote to manage her household, I decided to give it another try. I have a husband, two kids, a business, and a habit of going on multiday genealogy benders. Any tool that helps life run smoothly (and free up more time for genealogy) is one I want to check out.

I quickly learned that my initial assessment had been totally wrong. Evernote is actually the key to being a more efficient, more effective person in every part of my life. Its been especially helpful in making me a better genealogist. Im able to get more done, spot clues and patterns more quickly, and ensure that I dont ever do the same research twice. Its the Swiss Army knife in my genealogy toolbox (and in my life management toolbox, for that matter). I couldnt live without it.

Learning to use Evernote was a bit of a lonely process for me. At the time I was getting started, not many other genealogists were using it. The books I found on the subject were mostly geared toward salespeople and other corporate types. There werent really any educational resources available to show me how this program could be used for family history. In writing this book, Ive aimed to create the guide I wished I had as I was learning to use Evernote.

Whether youre just getting started or youre already an Evernote ninja, I believe youll find many helpful tips and tricks in this book. Ive tried to share as many real-life genealogy examples as I can so you can see how Evernote can make you a better genealogist. I think youll find, as I did, that this tool is the key to connecting with your familyliving or dead.

Kerry Scott

Sooner or later, it happens to every genealogist. No matter how organized you are, youll inevitably find that the sheer volume of information youre gathering in pursuit of your ancestors brings you to your knees. Where did all of this stuff come from? How do you keep it organized? How do you make sense of it?

Evernote can help. Its no exaggeration to say that this tool can and will change your research life. Evernote gives you a place to organize all of your genealogical data, no matter what form. It also has a powerful search feature so you can actually find your data again. Evernote has tools to allow you to analyze what youve found in a variety of ways so you can see the hidden clues in even the most unlikely places. Its one of the best weapons available for breaking down those long-standing brick walls, for keeping you organized, and for freeing up more time to find your ancestors.

In this chapter, well explore what Evernote can do for you and why its uniquely suited to meet the needs of genealogists looking for better ways to sift through their family history info as well as their hard-earned research.

One of Evernotes greatest strengths for genealogy is the breadth and depth of items it can track for you. We genealogists gather clues from a variety of sources, from census records to scraps of paper to the embroidery on Great-grandma Ethels quilt. Evernote takes them all in stride. In this section, well explore some of the types of records you can keep in Evernote so you can make the most of what this software has to offer.

Most Evernote genealogists start out by taking notes (), then start typing. You can use the note for anything you likea transcription of a will, notes on a local genealogical society presentation, free-form thoughts on what you remember about Grandpa Joe, the citation for a source you found while researching, or whatever else youd like to capture.