Ten Steps to Finding Your Ancestors

Understanding the Genealogical Research Process

While searching for clues to your ancestral tree can seem daunting, the nitty-gritty of genealogy research is actually a fairly straight-forward process:

1. Select an individual or family to research
   You can't do it all at once. Focus your search on a specific individual, couple, or family group for best results.

2. Identify what you already know
   Check your genealogy software program, read through your genealogy notes, or scan your paper forms to determine what you already know about your ancestors and what you still want to learn.

3. Bone up on background info
   Knowlege is power - an essential part of genealogical research is understanding the time period and locality of your ancestors. Identifying the time period and localities (including boundary changes) in which your ancestors lived helps you find their records. Understanding of topography and migration patterns helps you track their movements. Identifying possible name changes and alternate spellings helps you pinpoint specific individuals.

4. Survey existing information
   Look for research which has already been compiled or published on your ancestor, including online databases, books, and periodicals. The Library of Congress (LOC) catalog is an excellent place to search for published books, while PERSI is a must-search for periodicals (journals, magazines, and quarterlies of genealogical and historical societies).

5. Set a goal
   Create a brief timeline of events for your ancestor to help you determine what questions you still need to answer and what information you hope to find (i.e. date of birth).

6. Decide which type of record is most likely to contain the information
   Prioritize your search by beginning with the records which are most likely to be accurate and contain the information you seek. Begin with primary, original source records, when possible. If you aren't knowledgeable enough about the area and time period to know which records to search, then check published sources such as books specific to your area of research or the Research Outlines of the Family History Library, or with other researchers from related genealogical societies or message boards.

7. Locate and search the record
   Determine where the record can be found (library, microfilm, courthouse, etc.) and enter the source in your research log. Once you've located the record, search for specific information on your ancestor and note the date/location in your research log.

8. Copy the pertinent info
   Make photocopies, transcribe, and/or abstract all pertinent info (if found). If nothing is found, then make a note to that effect in your research log.

9. Analyze and evaluate the new information
   Look at the new information and how it relates to what you already know. Does it answer your question? Do the facts match up? Is the source a credible one?

10. Document/record the results
    Record the new information in your genealogy software program and/or paper forms (including your research log). Be sure to fully document the source.

If you've found what you were looking for, then select a new goal and start the genealogical research process over again. If you haven't yet met your research goal, or feel that you need further proof of your working hypothesis, then select a new record and repeat steps 6-10. And, most importantly, don't let yourself get discouraged when you don't find anything. If nothing else, you've learned where not to look!