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The 5-Step Genealogical Research Process

Genealogical research, like any other kind of research, involves a cycle of 5 basic steps:

  1. What do I already know?
  2. What specific question needs to be answered?
  3. What information sources might answer my question?
  4. What do the information sources actually tell me?
  5. What conclusions can I reach now?

Step 1: What do I already know?

The first step in doing genealogical research is to identify what information you already know to be true. This information generally comes from your own experience or from documents already in your possession.

Because human memory is fallible, it is important for you to keep permanent records of the information already known to you. For many years, genealogists have recorded information using printed forms such as pedigree charts and family group sheets. (These forms are explained in detail later). Today, it is becoming increasingly common for genealogists to record their information into databases on their personal computers, and then print out pedigree charts and family group sheets as needed. Therefore, you may wish to begin by obtaining and installing genealogy software for your home computer, and then recording the information already in your possession. Don't forget the importance of backing up your information!

Even if you store your genealogical research in a computer database, you will usually want to print out copies for your files. This means that you'll need to organize a filing system to keep track of what you already know and what you are working on. You may want to create a separate file folder for each surname in your family, and then file these alphabetically in a filing cabinet.

Possible Sources

The following are possible sources for dates and places of:
 

Marriage

Getting Started

You're ready to start your family tree. You know the names of your grandparents, and maybe even a great-grandparent or two. You know the country where your ancestors lived before they came to America. What's next?

Well, as the title says, always work from the known to the unknown. Start by asking yourself what you know. You know your name and date of birth, and where you were born. You know your parents' names, and possibly their dates and places of birth, and the date and place of their marriage. Now it's time to put all that information down on paper. I suggest you get yourself a binder and a pack of paper or download forms off the internet. Start the first page with your own name. Add your date of birth, your place of birth, your spouse's name, and the date and place of your marriage, the names and birth dates of your children, and of course, the names of your parents. (Not John and Mary Smith, but John Smith and Mary Jones.) You will find later that it is much easier to find and connect people, if the women are listed with their maiden names.

Okay, now you have finished one family group sheet. Take another sheet of paper, and write your father's name and his date and place of birth. Add your mother's name, her date of birth and the date of their marriage. List all of their children, including you. Now you have a second family group sheet.

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