I think that the original question may have been answered, but thought I'd share another version. I read about the folders idea in a book by (I think) Sharon Debartolo Carmack but have spent too much time picking up paper from dropped folders at work to want to use that. Plus, it's too easy for things to get lost, and the system isn't portable. I also have a bit of ADD so I need a system that is easy to keep organized.

I use color coding only for the family trees - my family gets numbers written in raspberry-colored sharpie and my husband's gets green.

I have a binder for each tree with just the family tree (branch) charts, so I have the big picture for each tree.

For the documents associated with each family group, I use an envelope system tied to the Ahnentafel numbers. I use 9x12 envelopes so they fit in plastic magazine racks and can go on a shelf.

I put the Ahnentafel numbers of the couple (from the chart in the binder) and their names at the top front of the envelope, and a quick notation of the family (essentially a family chart) on the front of the envelope. I also put the Ahn. number for the descendant child by his/her name.

Then, everything associated with that couple and their children goes into the envelope. Everything from the date of the parents' marriage until their deaths or divorce, and everything for the children until they marry. The only thing that gets duplicated is the marriage certificate (one in the file with the bride's parents, one in with the groom's parents, and one with the new couple.

I note the Ahn. number (with my sharpie so I can see it) on each paper I put in the envelope. **I do NOT put original documents in the envelopes!!**

I annotate the paperwork that is in the envelope on the back side of the envelope, just in notes that make sense to me (1850 Census - St. Albans, etc.), so I don't have to open the envelope to see if I already have a document.

For siblings/other children, I use the same envelope numbering system, and put the word COLLATERAL on the envelope, with the generation (children, grandchildren, etc) if I have enough information about those family groups.

I may have to adjust this system at some point but it is working very well so far. For the most part, I'm able to keep sibling info in the main envelope. Because I'm also doing an update to my grandmother's family tree, I have a bunch of collateral line info for some familes. I just put all the collateral envelopes in a separate magazine holder and they're out of the way until I need them.

Back to the original question - I don't keep ANY original documents with my working papers. I don't want to have to worry about damaging anything as I rummage around in my working papers. I make a copy of the document and put the copy in the appropriate envelope. If it's something that I can't copy for whatever reason, I either type up a description or hand-write one, then put it in the envelope.

No problem to make more copies if need be - but usually the only thing that affects two families is a marriage certificate. For Census pages that have more than one household listed, I make a copy for each household and highlight/transcribe the information for that household and then put it in the envelope, that way I don't have to worry about information scattered around.

I keep original documents in a couple of safe places - either the trunk with all old the family scrapbooks or in a binder on the shelf with my local history books. I also scan as many as I can, so if something happens, there is another copy either online at Ancestry or with family members (or both).

Hope this makes sense and is of some help,

Lynne in MD