Alternatives to family bible for tracking family tree, offline or otherwise

February 2, 2009 8:02 AM

I'd like some suggestions for a place to keep track of family births and events, much like traditionally done in a family bible. Books are nice, but all media considered. Points given in three categories: potential longevity, flexibility of data handling, and style.

Some examples:

An acid-free archival printing of the Gutenberg bible:
- high longevity scores (books can last a long time)
- low data handling scores (once the system starts, its tough to change)
- mid style scores (admittedly subjective, but though iconic, its still a bible)

A full-blown premium plus account at Ancestry.com:
- mid longevity scores (the technology is unproven on large time scales)
- high data handling scores (much flexibility on online solutions)
- low style scores (can't really put it on a pedestal in the family library)

A mural in oil paint on the stone fence out back:
- low longevity scores (needs constant maintenance)
- low data handling (needs professional assistance)
- high style scores (probably the only one in the neighborhood)

posted by GPF to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Paper really is monarch of archival records. (You could also try clay tablets for proven long-term storage, but they're bulky.) You could supplement it with a card-catalog (electronic or not) to cross-reference individuals and their connections.

An electronic record makes it slightly easier to check certain things (like who lived where, who was alive in 1985, things like that), but is definitely prone to longevity problems.
posted by cobaltnine at 8:22 AM on February 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

We've had ours written in ink on the back of a wooden icon since about 1850. Zero points for practicality, BIGNUM points for style. Item inherent value guarantees it won't be mislaid.

Don't do it on a non-portable surface like the stone fence --- you don't know where your offspring will be 150 years from now.

Don't do it in electronic form (except as a backup) --- you are wasting the opportunity to create a family heirloom.
posted by ghost of a past number at 9:18 AM on February 2, 2009

Response by poster: I got a good suggestion offline for a nice copy of "The Origin of Species." A book, yes, but with a definite twist.

Thanks so far.
posted by GPF at 9:50 AM on February 2, 2009

How about an album? Get someone artistic to decorate a binder, laminate it or whatever, and have the inner pages be removable. You could have a page per person, decorated by the person themselves, or at least signed, and recording important events.
posted by Salamandrous at 6:29 PM on February 2, 2009

My dad maintains something he calls a "birthday book". His mother had one too. Basically it's a day-timer like book in which he notes birthdays and weddings and other important family events.
posted by orange swan at 6:36 PM on February 2, 2009

in addition to ancestry.com, take a look at geni.com
posted by jrishel at 6:31 AM on February 3, 2009

Response by poster: My dad maintains something he calls a "birthday book".

I like this. I had in mind a graphic family tree, of sorts. However, a running log is a compelling idea.
posted by GPF at 9:16 PM on February 3, 2009