Step 21 – Backup Your Personal or Online Files onto a USB Flash Drive

Welcome back to this installment of the 22 Steps in Researching Your Family Tree!

Why did the genealogist bring a USB flash drive to the family reunion?

To save their family tree on the go!

This blog article is about…

Step 21 – Backup your personal or online files onto a USB flash drive and properly label it

Welcome to our family tree research blog! Here, we provide helpful tips and information to help you discover more about your ancestors and build a comprehensive family tree. Whether you’re just starting out or have been researching for years, our blog offers insights to help you make progress in your genealogical journey.

In this post, we’ll be discussing the importance of backing up your personal or online files onto a USB flash drive. As you collect documents, photographs, and certificates about your ancestors, it’s crucial to safeguard these treasured keepsakes so they can be passed down to future generations. We’ll be exploring the benefits of backing up your files, the different backup options available, and how to properly label and store your files.

Join us as we dive into this important aspect of family tree research and discover how you can ensure your family’s memories are preserved for years to come.

The Importance of Backing up Your Personal or Online Files onto a USB Flash Drive

Are you actively researching your family tree and collecting a wealth of information about your ancestors? Do you have a collection of miscellaneous documents, photographs, and certificates that you want to preserve for future generations? If so, it’s important to start thinking about backing up your personal or online files.

In Step 21 of your family tree research, you are encouraged to take the necessary steps to safeguard your files. This means that you need to properly label and store all your documents and photographs so that they can be easily accessed in the future. Here are some important reasons why backing up your files is so important.

Preserving Family Memories

As you collect documents, photographs, and certificates, you’re also collecting memories that you want to preserve for future generations. These items are often one-of-a-kind, and once they’re lost, they’re gone forever. By backing up your files onto a USB flash drive or other storage device, you’re ensuring that these treasured keepsakes are protected and can be passed down to future generations.

Here is a guide to help you preserve your family memories:

1. Digitize Your Photographs: The first step in preserving your family memories is to digitize your photographs. This will help to protect them from damage and ensure that they are easily accessible. You can use a scanner to digitize your photographs or take pictures of them with a digital camera or smartphone. Once you have digitized your photographs, be sure to store them in a safe place and back them up regularly.
2. Label Your Photographs: When you’re digitizing your photographs, be sure to label them with as much information as possible. This includes the date, location, and names of the people in the photograph. This will help future generations to understand the context of the photograph and the people in it.
3. Store Your Documents Properly: Documents such as birth, baptismal, marriage, and death certificates are important family records that need to be stored properly. These documents should be stored in acid-free and lignin-free folders or boxes to prevent them from deteriorating over time. It’s also a good idea to make digital copies of these documents and store them on a USB flash drive or other storage device.
4. Use Online Storage: In addition to backing up your files onto a USB flash drive, you should also consider using online storage services such as Google Drive, pCloud, Microsoft OneDrive, or MediaFire. These services offer free or low-cost storage options that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
5. Share Your Memories: Once you’ve preserved your family memories, it’s important to share them with your family and future generations. You can create a family tree or photo album that showcases your family history and memories. You can also share your memories with online genealogy communities or social media groups.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your family memories are preserved for future generations. Whether it’s a photograph, document, or personal story, each item is a piece of your family’s unique history and deserves to be protected and shared.

Preventing Data Loss

Backing up your files also helps prevent data loss. If your computer crashes or you accidentally delete a file, having a backup copy ensures that you don’t lose all your hard work. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your family tree research, so make sure you have a backup of all your important documents and photographs.

Here’s a guide to help you prevent data loss and keep your family tree research safe:

1. Backup regularly: Set a schedule to back up your files regularly. You can use an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud-based storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.
2. Use multiple backup locations: Don’t rely on just one backup location. Make sure to have at least two backup copies of your important files. Store one copy offsite, such as in a safety deposit box or with a trusted family member.
3. Label your backups: Properly label your backup devices, including the date of the backup. This will make it easier to find and identify the files you need in case of a data loss.
4. Test your backups: It’s essential to test your backups regularly to ensure they’re working correctly. You don’t want to find out that your backup is corrupt or incomplete when you need it the most.
5. Use encryption: If you’re storing sensitive information like birth certificates, marriage licenses, or social security numbers, consider using encryption to protect them. Encryption software can scramble your files and make them unreadable without a decryption key.

By following these tips, you can help prevent data loss and keep your family tree research safe. Remember, backing up your files is a crucial step in preserving your family’s history for future generations.

Easy Access to Information

Having a backup copy of your files also makes it easier to access the information you need. Instead of sifting through stacks of paper documents or searching through countless digital files, you can simply plug in your USB flash drive and access everything you need. This can save you time and frustration, especially if you’re working on a large family tree project.

Here’s a guide to help you easily access your family tree information:

1. Keep everything organized: Before you back up your files, make sure everything is organized and labelled correctly. This will make it easier to find the information you need when you’re accessing your backup files.
2. Use searchable file names: Use descriptive and searchable file names when saving your documents and photographs. For example, use “Smith Family Tree – John Smith Birth Certificate” instead of “Scan1.pdf.”
3. Use a USB flash drive with a keyring or lanyard: A USB flash drive with a keyring or lanyard can make it easy to carry your backup with you wherever you go. This way, you can access your files on any computer with a USB port.
4. Keep your backup up to date: Make sure to update your backup regularly as you add new information to your family tree. This will ensure that you always have the latest version of your files.
5. Use cloud-based storage services: In addition to a USB flash drive backup, consider using a cloud-based storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This way, you can access your files from any device with an internet connection.

By following these tips, you can easily access your family tree information and save time and frustration when working on your research project.

Choosing the Right Backup Method

When it comes to backing up your files, there are many different options available. USB flash drives are a popular choice because they are easy to use and can hold a lot of data. However, you can also use CDs or DVDs, external hard drives, or cloud storage services to back up your files.

If you choose to use a cloud storage service, make sure you choose a reputable provider with a good track record for security. It’s also a good idea to encrypt your files before uploading them to the cloud to ensure that they’re protected.

When choosing the right backup method for your family tree research, consider the following:

1. Storage capacity: Make sure the backup method you choose has enough storage capacity to hold all your important files.
2. Accessibility: Consider how easily you can access your backup files when you need them. For example, if you choose cloud storage, make sure you have a reliable internet connection.
3. Security: Your backup files should be protected against theft, loss, or damage. Make sure your backup method offers adequate security measures such as encryption and password protection.
4. Convenience: Choose a backup method that is easy to use and fits your lifestyle. For example, if you travel frequently, a USB flash drive might be a more convenient option than an external hard drive.
5. Cost: Consider the cost of the backup method, including any ongoing subscription fees for cloud storage. You don’t want to overspend, but you also don’t want to skimp on quality and security.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right backup method that meets your needs and keeps your family tree research safe and accessible for years to come.

10 Tips for Step 21

Backing up your personal or online files onto a USB flash drive is an important step in preserving your family tree research. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

1. Choose a high-quality USB flash drive. Not all USB flash drives are created equal. Look for a reputable brand with good reviews and a high storage capacity.
2. Label your USB flash drive. It’s important to label your USB flash drive with a descriptive name that indicates its contents. This will help you easily identify it among other USB drives.
3. Organize your files. Before you start backing up your files, take the time to organize them. This will make the backup process easier and help you find what you need later on.
4. Use a backup software. There are many backup software options available, such as EaseUS Todo Backup, AOMEI Backupper, or Acronis True Image. These programs can automate the backup process and make it more efficient.
5. Consider cloud backup services. Using a cloud backup service such as Google Drive, pCloud, or Microsoft OneDrive can provide an extra layer of protection and allow you to access your files from anywhere with an internet connection.
6. Test your backup. Once you’ve backed up your files, it’s important to test the backup to make sure everything has been properly saved and can be accessed.
7. Regularly update your backup. It’s important to regularly update your backup to ensure that it includes all new files and changes made to existing files.
8. Store your backup in a safe place. Make sure to store your backup in a safe place, such as a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box. This will protect your files in case of a disaster or theft.
9. Consider making multiple backups. Making multiple backups, such as storing files on a USB flash drive and a cloud backup service, can provide added security and peace of mind.
10. Stay organized. It’s important to maintain an organized system for your backups, such as labelling and dating your backups. This will make it easier to find what you need and ensure that you’re always working with the most recent version of your files.

Conclusion

In conclusion, backing up your personal or online files onto a USB flash drive is a crucial step in your family tree research journey. By doing so, you can safeguard your treasured keepsakes and ensure they are preserved for years to come. With the numerous backup options available today, it’s easier than ever to protect your valuable data from unexpected disasters or loss.

Backing up your personal or online files onto a USB flash drive is an important step in your family tree research. It helps preserve family memories, prevents data loss, and makes it easier to access the information you need. By properly labelling and storing all your documents and photographs, you’re ensuring that they can be easily accessed in the future. So don’t wait any longer – start backing up your files today!

As you move forward in your genealogical journey, don’t forget to celebrate your progress and accomplishments. Reaching the final step, Step 22 – Share and publish your family tree, is an exciting milestone that marks the culmination of all your hard work. By sharing your family tree with others, you not only honor the memory of your ancestors but also contribute to the larger family history community.

So take pride in your achievements and continue to explore your family’s unique story. The possibilities are endless, and with each new discovery, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for your family’s past and present. Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished so far, and best of luck as you continue your family tree research journey!

NOTE:

In closing this blog post, I hope that the blog series has been beneficial to you about learning more about genealogy and how to trace your family history. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on the series or would like to suggest any improvements, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or email. I value your input and appreciate your support in helping me to create more helpful and informative content for aspiring genealogists. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I wish you the best of luck in your own genealogical research.

Sign Up Today to get new content delivered directly to your inbox.