Basic Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One - Preparation and Documentation

Documentation of your findings is of the utmost importance, especially if you plan to join such organizations as the Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, MOSSUS, or any of the others who require written proof of Civil War ancestry. There are also numerous other societies or groups that you may be eligible to join, which you may find during your research. Of course, your direct relations or spouse may be eligible as well. However, again, this takes documentation. The following are suggested software programs that I found most helpful in my record keeping chores.

Spreadsheet - I decided to use a spreadsheet program to document and record all the information I could find, just to keep track of each relation I found, and how they tied into each other. By creating copies of the pages, using data sorting, and other options within the spreadsheet, I was able to manipulate the data in several ways like by last name, by first name, by date, by unit, etc. In this manner, I was able to use the data as necessary to confirm information, or to insert more as I gathered it. A database program would handle the chore, but would be less readable.

This is an example of the spreadsheet pages I used in my primary research:

I found easier to use color codes in this spreadsheet. The colors I used were blue for Union, Gray for Confederate, Green for verified names without unit names or information, and orange for cousins and in-laws (married Bump daughters or with Bump mothers). The size of the spreadsheet has been greatly reduced to allow full printing for my journal and files. I found it was a lot easier to work with the printed material sometimes than searching throughout the prepared document. One can also sort the data according to last name, units, states, etc., as desired.

Note Journal - I also kept a notebook to write and keep notes in. This way I could jot down little items of interest of possible pertinence, keep a daily log of my activities and links, etc., and just generally write down some other leads or possibilities as necessary. I also printed out copies of some of the documents I found in my searches, and kept those in the notebook as well.

Diskettes - I kept numerous blank diskettes available as well, and kept them in a separate box to insure that I had backup copies of my data, as well as being able to save digital files for later reference or printouts as necessary.

The idea is to utilize the useful information. At first, I was saving or printing about anything that had the name, 'Bump' within the site or article I was viewing. After reviewing what I had saved, I found that I had many duplications of the same documents or references, one of which I had printed out the same sixteen page document fourteen times. Replenishing ink cartridges for printers is not inexpensive, and I learned to review my notes before downloading or printing anything.

In the same regard, I also found that I had saved a lot of other useless information, like the dance that was named 'The Bump,' and similar humorous episodes. This brings us to the next step...