The National Archives is facing an ever increasing avalanche of data in both digital and non-digital formats. This is a particularly troublesome problem since the rate of obsolescence of the hardware and software required to read this data is steadily increasing to the point where the data may become inaccessible on the day that it received by the National Archives. The article at
http://www.lostmag.com/issue3/memory.php gives much more detail on this issue.
So how does this all relate to the average genealogist or family historian? Just ask yourself two simple questions - how old is your digital data, and do you still have the hardware/software required to read it.
The answer to the first question will depend on a couple of factors - primarily how long you have been actively working on your family history and how long you have been using a computer as part of your research. These days it is pretty common for someone to have been using a computer as part of their research for at least 3 to 5 years.
The answer to the second question is somewhat dependent on the answer to the first question. But it may really have more to do with how recently you have bought a new computer (and replaced an older one with it). Think back, did you switch from one family history database program to another in that time? Did you utilize any of the paid genealogy services such as Ancestry.com? Did you switch from using a PC to a MAC or vice versa? Have you started using an online service to host your family tree instead of using dedicated software?
The best defense in all these cases is to do the obvious. Make backups of everything you have and make them regularly. Include copies of the software that was required to read any proprietary data formats (such as Family Tree Maker). Better yet, be sure to export your database in a standard format such as Gedcom that is readable by just about any family history database program. Consider generating a printed report of your database (most genealogy programs include this feature). Likewise print out copies of any important piece of documentation that may only exist on your computer's hard drive.
Remember the countless number of hours that you have spent on your research and be sure to protect that investment both for yourself and your future generations.
-- Brian Lingard
