When I started my genealogy journey, I had no idea what I was getting into. I made mistakes. I wasted time chasing records that didn’t matter. And I overlooked important clues staring me right in the face.
But with experience comes wisdom, and now I see things more clearly. If I could go back in time and give myself some advice as a beginner, it would have saved me countless hours of frustration.
In this post, I’ll share the lessons I wish I’d known from the start. Whether you’re just beginning or have been researching for years, these tips can help you avoid pitfalls and make real progress in your genealogy research.
1. Start with What You Know
I can’t stress this enough. When I first started, I jumped straight to distant ancestors, skipping over what I already knew. But starting with yourself, your parents, and your grandparents builds a solid foundation. Write everything down—names, dates, and places. Confirm what you can with documents. This prevents confusion later on and helps you avoid chasing the wrong family.
2. Organize Everything
I used to scribble notes on scraps of paper and leave them everywhere. Okay, I still do, but trust me, it’s a bad idea. Organizing your research from the beginning makes everything easier. Use binders, folders, or digital tools to keep track of records, sources, and notes. Create a system that works for you and stick to it. You’ll thank yourself later.
Learn more about this in my blog post: Binders Or Folders: Which Is Better For Genealogy Organization?
3. Always Cite Your Sources
When I first found records, I was so excited that I forgot to write down where they came from. Big mistake. Months later, I couldn’t remember where I got key information, and I wasted hours retracing my steps. Always cite your sources, even if it’s just a quick note about where you found the record.
If you’re at a repository and they allow cameras, take a picture of the title page that includes the title, author, copyright information, etc. This will come in handy when you get back home and want to write a proper source citation.
To more about this, check out my blog post: How To Make Genealogy Source Citations Easy
4. Not Everything Is Online
Early on, I thought genealogy was all about websites like Ancestry and FamilySearch. While they’re great resources and I rely on them everyday, not everything is online. Some of the best records are still sitting in courthouses, libraries, and local archives. If you’re not finding what you need, don’t forget about these offline repositories.
Learn more about my visit to the Maine Historical Society in this blog post: Hidden Treasures Found In A Historical Society.
5. Verify, Verify, Verify
I once added someone to my family tree based on a single record. It turned out they weren’t even related! This taught me to verify everything. Look for multiple sources to confirm names, dates, and relationships. A single record means nothing when you’re trying to climb YOUR family tree.
Even if that single record is direct evidence of what you want to find, like a birth or death certificate, try and find independent sources that will confirm the information.
FamilySearch has a wonderful resource for finding the best records to answer your genealogy question. You can find it here.
6. Focus on One Line at a Time
In the beginning, I tried researching all my family lines at once. I would jump from one ancestor to the next no matter what line they were on. Does that sound like you? It was confusing, and I ended up getting nowhere. Now, I focus on one family line at a time. It’s easier to stay organized, and I make more progress.
Try giving yourself a set amount of time to focus, whether it’s a week, a month, etc. If you get bored with that line, or you’re waiting on records you’ve ordered, you can always go on to another, but at least your focus is concentrated on one ancestor from one line.
7. Talk to Relatives While You Can
Some of my biggest regrets in genealogy involve not asking questions when I had the chance. Older relatives are living archives of family stories and history. Sit down with them. Ask questions. Record your conversations. Once they’re gone, so are their memories.
Everyone has this regret, so if you do, know you’re not alone. My dad told stories of his youth all the time and we loved them. But I didn’t record a single one. I miss that now. Take advantage of those who are still with us. It doesn’t matter if they’re a distant cousin, talk with them.
Here’s a blog post I wrote to help you: How To Know Your Family Better In 15 Questions.
8. Look Beyond Names and Dates
I used to focus only on filling out my tree with names, dates, and places. I was a name collector and I wanted to go as far back in my tree as I could in the shortest amount of time. But genealogy is so much more than that. Records can tell you about an ancestor’s occupation, religion, education, and so much more. After all, you’re looking for your ancestors’ stories, not just their names.
Look deeper. Take the time to scour every record. Does it make sense to you? Are you linking the generations together with credible information? Lastly, write about what you’ve found. Too often we get in research mode and after a while, we forget what we discovered at the beginning of the day.
If you’re not convinced that writing is just as important as researching, check out 7 Reasons To Stop Your Genealogy Research And Write.
9. Be Patient and Persistent
Genealogy is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Some records take time to find, and some ancestors remain stubbornly hidden. Don’t get discouraged. Keep at it. Sometimes the answers come when you least expect them.
Also, as you continue to research and perhaps take a class or two on how to improve your skills, you’ll go back to those stubborn ancestors and try again. You’ll have fresh eyes and new strategies. Yes, some ancestors will remain a mystery, but so many more will not.
10. Always Begin With A Question
In my early days as a baby genealogist, I jumped right into looking at everything at once, not having a direction for that research session. You want to know everything, I get it, but slow down and ask one question at a time. If you find the answer quickly, great! You’ll then go on to your next question.
An example of a good research question would be: When did Jane Smith, who was married to John Smith in Buck County, Pennsylvania in 1800, die and where is she buried? I have a name, and I have a unique identifier that points to only her. I’m looking for the Jane Smith who married John in 1800 in Bucks County, PA. Put as much information in your research question as you need to uniquely identify your person.
Finally
If I knew then what I know now, my genealogy journey would have been a lot smoother. But every mistake taught me something valuable. And now I get to share those lessons with you.
Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been researching for years, I hope these tips help you on your journey. Genealogy is about more than just finding ancestors. It’s about understanding who they were and how their lives shaped yours. So take your time, stay curious, and keep learning. Oh, and don’t forget to celebrate the small victories along the way.
Genealogy tip: I’m a huge fan of education, whether it’s a paid course or institute, or it’s a free YouTube video. Improve your skills with education.
If your family history project feels overwhelming, I’m here to help. Book a free 30-minute consultation and let’s tackle it together.
