If you're like most family historians, you probably have piles of carefully collected photocopies, documents, newspaper clippings, and photos piled on the floor, stuffed into boxes, or overflowing your inbox waiting to be entered into your favorite genealogy software program. Before you begin sorting these precious bits of research, visualize what type of organizational system you'd like to use. Consider all the options, such as file folders, notebook binders, or computer disk storage. Do you want to organize by surname, family group, event, or some other method? Make sure that you have all the materials you will need on hand before you start sorting - archival page protectors, folders or binders, labels, pens and pencils, acid-free photo boxes... Visualizing your completed filing system before you begin will help alleviate a lot of headaches and prevent a bigger mess.