The Value Of Using Timelines In Your Genealogy Research

With so many databases and tools to help us find our ancestors, genealogy research can be a little overwhelming. One way to keep organized and stay on track is to use simple timelines. These are a chronological listing of the key events in your ancestors’ lives.

In this blog post, you’ll learn why making a timeline for every ancestor is important and how it can further your research. Plus, I’ll show you an example of my family using Airtable.

A well-constructed timeline can reveal patterns or gaps in your research. They can also be the key to breaking through those frustrating genealogy brick walls. Let’s look at how you can put this tool to work in your research.

Why Create A Genealogy Timeline?

We all know we should keep a genealogy research log, a document or spreadsheet that tells us what we have found (or not found). It’s easy to turn that log into a timeline to make more sense of your ancestors’ lives.

Some items we should be charting include births, baptisms, marriages, deaths, migrations, land purchases/sales, and other significant events. By putting these items in chronological order, we can see connections and possible gaps in our research. You can also include historical events to see what shaped the lives of your ancestors.

For example, let’s say you’re researching your great-grandfather. A genealogy timeline could help you see that he was born in 1890, married in 1915, served in World War I from 1917 to 1919, and immigrated to the United States in 1923. By mapping out these milestones, you can better understand the context of his life and uncover new leads for further research.

Tools For Creating Genealogy Timelines

Now that know you need genealogy timelines, let’s discuss the tools you can use to make them:

1. Pen And Paper: This is the simplest method that doesn’t require your computer. This way can come in handy while researching in a library to make sense of what you’ve found. You can also write on index cards and shuffle them around to make a timeline. You can’t go wrong with this basic method.
2. Genealogy Software: Genealogy software such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, or Family Tree Maker includes built-in timeline features. These allow you to input data directly into your family tree, automatically generating timelines based on your entries. If you’re already using one of these programs, there is no extra work in seeing a timeline of your ancestor’s life.
3. Spreadsheet Software: If you’re a spreadsheet person, programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets give you a wonderful option for creating customized timelines. You can create columns for different events, dates, and additional details. Then you can filter and sort them however you like. I would include Airtable in this list as well.
4. Timeline Generators: Online tools like Tiki-Toki or Preceden are good options for making digital timelines. Both of these companies offer free versions, so you can try each to see how you like them.

Tips For Making A Genealogy Timeline

Here are some tips to get the most out of your timeline:

• Start With What You Know: Begin with information you already have, such as birth dates, marriage dates, and significant life events. This is your foundation to build your timeline.
• Be Consistent: Maintain consistency in formatting, terminology, and note-taking throughout your timeline. The connections and gaps will be easier to see if you stay consistent.
• Include Context: What historical events were happening in the time and place of your ancestor? By putting this type of information in your timeline you add depth to their life.
• Embrace Flexibility: Genealogy research can often jump from one thing to another. Be prepared to adjust your timeline as new information is found.
• Visualize Connections: Use color coding, symbols, or lines to easily see relationships, migrations, and significant connections within your timeline.

How I Use Airtable For Genealogy Timelines

I’ve written a few blog posts on how I use Airtable in my genealogy research. One was about organizing my research and the other was how to track the FAN club of your ancestors in Airtable. Let’s put this tool to use to make a timeline.

John Krewson and Jane Parker are my 3rd great-grandparents. Finding Jane was the subject of my case study in a ProGen Study Group assignment.

To stay organized I keep a research log in Airtable. I make a separate table for each ancestral couple and have tabs for my research objection/question, research log, timeline, correspondence log, and FAN Club. Airtable is a wonderful tool to use because you can link data between sheets.

Let’s first look at the research log:

The log is in the order in which I found the records and includes the event name, date, place, source URL and citation, and results. A few additional columns that wouldn’t fit in the image include a link to the research objective sheet, any additional tasks to be done, and comments about the records including an abstract. While this is necessary and important, I can’t see an order to their lives. But a timeline can.

I don’t include every column from the log in the timeline. But with the information in this order, I can see at a glance if I’ve found all of the census records they should appear in, where and when they moved, if I have marriage information for them, and when they died, etc. Can you see how valuable a timeline is in your genealogy research?

Finally

Creating a genealogy timeline is both practical and a labor of love. By organizing key events in chronological order, you gain a valuable understanding of your ancestors’ lives. Whether you choose to make your timeline on paper or digitally, the process is a wonderful exercise in and of itself.

So, roll up your sleeves, gather your research materials, and start making a timeline today. Your ancestors’ stories are just waiting there for you to discover, and your genealogy timeline could be the key to finding them.

Genealogy tip: Keep your timeline updated as you find new records. It’s easier to copy and paste from your log as you go, rather than trying to piece it together later.

Getting started on a new genealogy project or need help breaking through that brick wall? I’m taking new clients. Schedule your no-obligation consultation today.