Allycat mentioned the importance of recording source information, in one of her journal articles. This is vital for the serious genealogy researcher.
One of the systems I have found useful is a database of index cards.
I sort by type of record. On each card I list where the record is located in my files (I give each record a number), any identifying numbers or stamps on the document, WHO the document refers to and the number of that person in the database, and notes which include cause of death (if given) parents,places, or anything else such as internet location (if it is a scan of a document, etc.)

I also have a file box of large index cards on which I list names under locations, and by year. This is great help when you begin to traverse through centuries and across countries.
I also scan all documents to my computer and once a month I make a backup CD with all images. (Never know what might happen. I had a flood once and lost several albums and file folders of info. Thank the Lord I had scanned copies).

Hope this helps someone.
Barbara