When I started working on my Notebook Project, I wanted a way to make a cover sheet for each binder that represented the contents. I first thought of making a scrapbook page, but I really wanted to do something fast and easy. Then I thought of creating a word cloud of the names in the book. Wordle is my favorite tool for creating word clouds, so I tried it first. It took a few tries to get the process down pat, but now I can create a really cool cover sheet in just a few minutes.
I start by using my genealogy program to create a simple name list that only includes the given name and surname. I select all the surnames that start with the letters included in the notebook. Most of my notebooks cover portions of two letters – for example, it may have some Es and some Fs. Then I export the report to a text-editing program, such as Word and delete the names at the beginning and end that are not included in the notebook. Then I simply copy the remaining names and paste them into Wordle.
I let Wordle use its random process to decide the shape and colors. This way every cover sheet is unique. The only change I make is if the background comes out black; since I’m printing these, I don’t want to waste a lot of ink on a black background. If that happens, then I just click the “Randomize” button until I get a white background.
I really like this method of creating cover sheets. I can see – at-a-glance – the names that are included in the notebook, in a more interesting format than a simple table of contents. The more time a name appears, the larger it is on the cover sheet. So, for example, I know if a notebook has a very large Ellis then it has lots of Ellis family members inside, whereas a large Ellis and a slightly smaller Forrester means that there are similar amounts of each surname. I like including the given names because I think it’s fun to see how common first names were in a certain group of people.
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Tonia,
Oh my gosh what a great idea! I have been reorganizing my research into binders and was wondering what or how I wanted to make the cover page. This is great way to do that. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great blogging. I love reading your blog.
Thanks for commenting, Deborah! This is super-easy. It takes about 5 minutes to do the whole process.
Clever idea!
What a fabulously creative idea. Makes you look like a real pro!
Michelle Goodrum´s last [type] ..Sorting Saturday – The Archival Closet
Great idea! Looks Great! Thanks for sharing!
What a good idea! Looks great and the design is really very useful. I usually use a family photo for binder covers and title pages, but I’ll be trying this too. Thanks!
M. Diane Rogers´s last [type] ..BC Genealogical Society – Free Library Week – Surrey BC
Very, very clever of you! I like it!!
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