Research Cycle5 Basic Steps

• Known Family Information- Contact relatives and extended family members.- Contact other researchers.

• Organize- Set up a filing system for your charts and forms, reports, documents, etc.

• Record– Select a genealogy program and enter what you already know.– Estimate dates and places if needed.

• Gather all documents around your home that have any family history value (awards, certificates, letters, photos, diaries, journals, histories, scrapbooks, bibles, etc.)

• Use Forms– Pedigree Chart– Family Group Record– Research Log– Correspondence Log

Step #1 - Identify what you know about your family

• Identify what information is: – Missing– Incomplete– Unverified– Conflicting

• Select a specific individual to work with.

• Identify questions you have about him.

• Select a specific question to work on.

• Prepare a research log by recording your question, known information to help you search and find specific goals to search for.

Decide -- This is your Research Goal

Study what you have.

There are many finding aids such as the Family History Library Catalog.

• Identify Category - What category of records will you need to search? (Vital records, church records, Land records, etc.)

• Choose Record Type - If you chose to search vital records, what type of record are you looking for? (i.e. birth, death, marriage, etc)

• Select Record

• Describe Record on a Research Log - Enter information about where to find the record you have chosen (web site, library, address, call #, etc.)

You now have a list of Records to Search

Search me.See if there are compiled records of research that others have done. These are know as “secondary records.”

Original records are created at the time of an event in a person’s life.

Use “A Guide To Research” © by the Utah Genealogical Society.

• Obtain- Locate record in a library, on the internet, at the Family History Center, etc.

• View• Search - Pay close attention to details, spelling variations, handwriting, etc..• Record Results - Be sure to record details for the source. - Record what you were looking for as well as what you found. - If you didn’t find anything in a specific record, record that fact as well.

You now have RESULTS.

• Evaluate Information - Is it accurate - Are the sources reputable? - Is the information logical? Probable?• Transfer Information - Enter the new information and documentation into your genealogy program.• Organize New Records - File your documentation so you can find it again!• Submit Names to the Temple - If your information is accurate, complete and documented, prepare the names for temple ordinances.• Share Information - Prepare your information to share with family and others researching this line. - No one can “do it all”. Work together with other family members.

Congratulations! You accomplished your goal.

Begin the Process Again with a New Goal!

Step #1 - Identify known family information

Step #2 - Decide What Information is Wanted

Step #3 - Select a record to search

Step #4 - Obtain and search the record

Step #5 - Use the information

Set 1 goal for 1 individual at a time, then repeat the process.

There is a difference between listing a source and doing documentation!

Documentation cites or extracts the data found in the source.

Don’t make up data. If what you find disagrees with other data provide a comment.

If you find information in a secondary record you may want to verify that it is accurate. The person who will most appreciate your having source information in your genealogical materials is YOU.