Who wants to do top-notch genealogy research? I certainly do! Whether you’re a beginner, coming back after a break, or a seasoned professional, it’s important for all of us to produce high-quality work. In this blog post, I’ll give you the do’s and don’ts to keep your research in tip-top shape.

Genealogy research doesn’t come with strict rules. Many people pursue it as a hobby to discover more about their ancestors’ lives. Whether you’re doing it for fun or as a professional serving clients, the goal is always to produce reliable and accurate results.

Here are 10 do’s and don’ts for excellent genealogy research:

The Do’s

Start with what you know:

• Begin by creating a family tree with information about yourself, your parents, and your grandparents.
• Collect birth, marriage, and death dates for immediate family members.
• Interview older relatives. They have wonderful memories and stories about your family’s history.
• Look through family photo albums or scrapbooks for additional clues and information.
• Organize what you find so you can easily locate it later. You can use a spreadsheet or a simple Word document.
• For more check out a blog post I wrote on this: https://graystabley.com/2022/09/18/where-to-start-in-your-genealogy-research/

Verify information:

• Make sure vital information is the same from multiple sources, i.e. birth, marriage, or death records.
• Original records are best when it comes to gathering information about our ancestors.
• Check for consistency in the information you find across all records…census, probate, land, etc.
• Be aware that transcripts or indexed records may have errors.
• Any conflicting information will need further research to resolve it.

Organize your data:

• Create a filing system for physical documents and digital files that makes sense to you.
• Use genealogy software or online platforms to maintain your family tree.
• Label and categorize documents by surname, type, or whatever way will keep it organized for you.
• Regularly update and review your organizational system as your research progresses.
• Keep a research log or journal to document your search strategies and findings.

Connect with relatives:

• Talk with older family members to preserve their memories and stories.
• Prepare a list of questions to get those family discussions started.
• Share what you find with others.
• Attend family reunions to get to know your extended family and gather more stories.
• Use social media or family websites to reach out to distant relatives.

Write up your research:

• Write down the sources of your information. This gives your research credibility, plus you’ll find the information again easily.
• Organize your findings into a narrative that tells the story of your ancestors.
• Provide historical context to help understand your ancestors’ lives.
• Write clearly and concisely to make your research easily read by others.
• Keep your written research up-to-date as you uncover new information.
• For more on writing, check out my blog post: https://graystabley.com/2023/12/17/7-reasons-to-stop-your-genealogy-research-and-write/

The Don’ts

Rely solely on online trees:

• Cross-check details from online family trees with reliable sources before accepting them as accurate.
• Some online trees have no evidence whatsoever. Make sure the facts on the trees have sources attached to them.
• Consider the reliability of the person who created the online tree.
• Don’t copy information directly from online trees without checking accuracy first.
• Treat online trees as clues for further research, rather than conclusive facts.

Assume relationships:

• Don’t assume family connections without sufficient evidence.
• Check relationships across multiple sources…birth or death certificates, 1880-1950 census records, etc.
• Consider the possibility of stepfamilies or blended families, and don’t assume a linear family structure.
• Avoid relying solely on family stories or oral history without verifying what’s told.
• Get advice from a professional genealogist when you need help figuring out relationships.

Overlook your system:

• Keep your genealogy research organized from the start of your project.
• Don’t forget to regularly back up your digital files to prevent data loss.
• Avoid leaving documents unlabeled; clearly label each file or physical document for easy reference.
• Keep your genealogy software or tools updated to benefit from new features and improvements.
• Even the best organizational system needs a review now and then. Check yours periodically to keep your research process humming.

Skip citing sources:

• Don’t skip citing your sources. Enough said.
• Include specific details about your sources, such as publication dates, repository information, and page numbers.
• Citing sources makes your research credible.
• Follow established industry standards to ensure consistency in your documentation.
• Don’t put off documenting your sources. Do this first to make sure you don’t forget.

Assume name consistency:

• Over time names may have different spellings or variations.
• When searching records, use wildcards to give you potential variations in name spelling.
• Recognize that culture and accents may contribute to variations in how a name is spelled.
• Examine the entire record rather than relying solely on an index, as they may include additional name details.
• Keep a record of alternative name spellings to avoid overlooking relevant records.

Finally

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Even if you follow just a few of these tips, you’ll be well on your way to excellent genealogy research.

Genealogy tip: There are so many places to go to learn about genealogy research. Some of my favorites are YouTube and the FamilySearch Wiki.

If you need help from a professional, I’m accepting new clients. Please schedule a time for us to discuss your latest project.