Creating a Genealogy Work Space
My Genealogy Room
Working on your family history goes much easier if you have a dedicated space for your computer and files. I'll share with you the room we created for my genealogy work.
Most of us don't have an unused room sitting around waiting for us to change it into our genealogy room. What we might have is a guest room that is seldom used.
To get the room to serve several functions, we've installed a murphy bed. That lets the genealogy room easily turn into a guest room. My husband can also use the room for his music project. He's digitizing all our vinyl and music tapes.
(photo by Virginia Allain)
I Became the Family Historian
When My Mother Died
For years, my mom researched both her family lines and my father's. Over that time, she accumulated massive amounts of documentation.
In addition some of her aunts, who had no children, left her their collections of family history materials. This included family diaries, photo albums and even memorabilia like a World War I helmet and World War II ration stamps.
She had a room in her home called The Writing Room but it doubled as her genealogy work space. At the time of her death, my sisters agreed that I should take care of the family archives. In January 2013, my husband and I packed up 25 boxes of papers and books and drove from Kansas to Florida with it all.
I was now the family historian and had to store and organize all this material and make it accessible online for the rest of the family.
(photo by Virginia Allain)
A Genealogy Room Needs Lots of Storage
Shortly before acquiring my mother's papers, we converted one room of the house to a combination guest room/computer room. We didn't realize how soon we would fill all those shelves and cabinets with the family papers.
The large doors on the left side conceals the murphy bed. To convert the genealogy room into a guest room, I just open those doors and pull down the bed.
On each side of the bed are open shelves that hold books of family history and binders with genealogy charts and other research. Below the open shelves I store files in banker's boxes (out of sight behind the doors).
The tall doors on the right conceal a table that folds out. That creates a great workspace for sorting family papers or photos.
Below that, you see a long file drawer and two shallow drawers.
(photo by Virginia Allain)
Choose a Murphy Bed with Storage around It - You Can Even Buy One from Amazon
To get a whole room like I have where all the cabinetry matches and is customized to your needs, you will probably need to go to a Murphy Bed store. Usually those are in larger cities.
The components have to be anchored into the wall. We preferred having their professional installer set up our room.
You can buy them from Amazon and install them yourself if you're handy or hire someone with experience.
There Are Many Different Styles of Murphy Beds
Where to Get Murphy Beds - To Create Your Own Combination Genealogy Room/Guest Room
I've shown above some Murphy beds that Amazon has for sale. There are companies that specialize in these. Here's the one I used.
- The More Space Place - Store Locations
This is the company that we worked with. We went to their Orlando showroom and selected the components we wanted. They came and installed them about 3 weeks later. I ordered additional shelves so each section could hold more books and binders. The or
The Computer Area in the Genealogy Room
More shelves, more file drawers and two computer monitors. I love it!
Note that the work table will open out right behind the chair. I'll be able to sit there to sort files, then swivel around to put dates into the computer.
To the right of the computer is the printer/scanner. Get one that can scan negatives and slides easily. They make them with a template that holds those items in place while scanning them into the computer.
Some Scanners for Digitizing Photos, Negatives and Slides - Plus a Book on the Topic
Important Needs for a Genealogy Room
- Good lighting
- Lots of plugs for the computer, scanner, etc.
- Good Internet connection
Work Surfaces
- L-shaped desk
- Good-sized table to spread papers out
- Cork boards to post projects, charts and maps
Scan Negatives and Slides the Right Way
The Genealogy Room Converts to a Guest Room
When guests arrive, I'm too busy entertaining them to work on my genealogy. I simply store all my research in the files or on the shelves and close up the work table behind the folding doors.
I pull down the bed. The room has a closet where I store the bedding and the pillows. There's a folding luggage rack in there for their suitcase too.
Here's how the room looks with the murphy bed opened out. Ready for guests!
We've even set the computer up with a guest account so they can check their e-mail during their visit. That keeps their computer use separate from our accounts on the computer so no worries about them accidentally messing with my genealogy records.
There Are Varied Work Tables - That Fold Away
When you are working on a big project, you need space to spread out your family papers. When I sort the family history, it can take days. I don't want to use the table in the dining room and have to put everything away for meals.
Having a work space like this, lets you have continuity without disrupting the family.
Do You Have a Special Place for Your Genealogy Work?
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