Protecting Your Data

For the first couple of year that I was researching my family lines I had stacks of papers, piles of printouts and sticky notes everywhere. New to the process I thought that entering the data onto my computer was all that was needed. I did not recognized the need for a growing pile of documents and papers nor did I recognize the importance of maintaining hard copies of my source information.

It took about three years before the research of my lines went full circle and I found myself digging through those piles of paper and believe me the stacks of paper were easier to review then the thick piles of sticky notes that I had collected. That piece of information I knew I had - where did it go ? I learned from the process and started entering the information into the notes section of my genealogy program. When this task was complete I took additional days out of my otherwise busy schedule and got down to the task of scanning documents, and organizing the files for storage on my computer. Finally I though I was fully organized. Over the next few years many applauded me for my attention to detail and fellow genealogists called on me to resolve or interpret data discrepancies and conflicts. I had possession of this huge wealth of information and I did not know that I was running a great risk. What could possible go wrong?

I took good care of my computer what with being a computer Teck building computers and being the computer resource person for our entire neighbourhood not to mention my family too. I kept my machine equipped with new Maxtor hard drives and defragged them regularly. I even installed the best antivirus software available, AVG AntiVirus by GRISOFT now know as AVG Technologies at a fraction of the cost of Norton AntiVirus software.

Then it happened !! My new hard drive which was less then a year old failed. It was replaced by Maxtor, very quickly I must say. I had backups of course so only lost a minor amount of data though it took some time and effort to rebuild my system to a working state. But who would have thought the the new drive once installed would only lasted 4 months before it died. Not only was this a nightmare it was also the most important lesson of my life. Lightening can strike twice.

I hope that some may learn from my experience as I certainly did. From the double crisis I learned the importance of maintaining both computer and hard copy files. Once my computer was restored I bought large volumes of printer ink, paper, binders, and plastic protective sleeves. I printed off every piece of information and filed it in binders for safe keeping. I have leaned to take time out from surfing the Internet for data and resources spending an occasional day printing and storing my collection. My collection is complete and well organized with the two storage systems complementing each other. I no longer worry about data loss and have directed my focus to sharing the information I have collected.