Step 1: Beginning Genealogy: Overview

These suggested resources will give you an introduction to family research and outline steps for getting started.

Step 2: Record What you Know, Interview Family Members

Ready to begin? Start by recording what you know, gathering documents you already have, and interviewing family members.

Resources for This Segment

Here are the charts and forms mentioned in the tutorials above. You will need them to get started in your research.

Record What You Know:

• Editable 6-Generation Pedigree Chart use this chart to list names, dates and places for you, your parents, grandparents and great grandparents. You can edit this form and save it to your computer, or print it and fill it out by hand.
• Editable Family Group Sheet Form from the Midwest Genealogy Center, a Family Group Sheet is used for recording couples and their children, with space to fill in dates and places that are important for researching each individual. You can edit this form and save it to your computer, or print it and fill it out by hand.
• Free Genealogy Forms from Family Tree Magazine If you save these forms as text files you can edit them and save them to your desktop. If you save them as pdf files you can print them and fill them in by hand.

Gather Documents You Already Have:

• Family and Home Information Sources Checklist from FamilySearch.org, this checklist is a helpful guide to records you or your family members may already have.

Step 3: Decide What You Want to Learn, Make a Research Plan

Identifying your research questions and making a research plan will save time and help you focus.

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These forms will help you plan and keep track of your research.

• Geni Podcast: Genealogy Research Logs from Genealogy Ninja Thomas MacEntee, this podcast looks in-depth at why you need a research log.
• Editable Research Log from Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers and High Definition Genealogy

Step 4: Identify Records to Search

Now that your research questions are defined, you will need to identify records that may answer your questions.

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Learn about records that are useful for genealogy research.

• Records and the Information They Contain a quick reference chart from FamilySearch
• United States Record Selection Table from the FamilySearch Wiki, a useful article to help you decide which records to search
• Quick Guide to African American Records from the FamilySearch Wiki
• Principles of Family History Research: Select Records to Search from FamilySearch
• Using the Census to Find Other Records About Ancestors from the FamilySearch Wiki
• Cyndi’s List and Linkpendium: Comprehensive resources for identifying online records to search
• Geni Podcast: How Do I Find and Use Records? from Thomas MacEntee

Step 5: Before You Search: Avoid Common Mistakes

Learn about (and avoid!) mistakes often made by beginning family researchers.

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More resources for starting off on the right track

• If Only I’d Known: Beginner Genealogy Mistakes by Beth Foulk of the Midwest Genealogy Center
• Top 10 Genealogy Mistakes to Avoid from About.com
• 10 Common Genealogy Mistakes Jacky Gamble outlines ten common mistakes and how to avoid them when doing genealogy research
• Back to Basics: 10 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them from Ancestry.com

Step 6: Choose Tools for Compiling, Organizing and Backing Up Your Research

Choose a family tree program, choose a note taking and web clipping service, choose among options for backing up your family research. Learn about the world of online tools available to family researchers.

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These tools can help you organize, make it possible to access your research from anywhere, and perform automatic backups to keep your data safe.

• The Genealogy Cloud: Which Online Storage Program Is Right For You? by Thomas Macentee
• Four Cloud-Powered Tools: Diigo, Evernote, Zotero and Dropbox
• Disaster-Proof Your Data With Online Backup from PC Magazine
• Free Handy Tools for Genealogists – Genealogy Toolbox

Step 7: Now You’re Ready. Begin Your Document Search, Compile as You Go

Obtain and search the records you’ve identified. Compile as you go (don’t forget to cite your sources). What you learn from your record search will generate new questions, and new research leads.

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Search a wide range of resources for documenting your ancestors.

• Editable Research Checklist from the Midwest Genealogy Center. This form is helpful for determining if you have checked all of the available resources for each of your ancestors. You can edit this form and save it to your computer, or print it and fill it out by hand.
• Top 10 Search Tips for Census Success from About.com
• Tips for Finding Your Ancestors in Genealogy Databases from About.com
• How Do I Find the Names of an Ancestor’s Parents? from About.com
• Top 9 Places to Find Maiden Names from about.com
• Solving Tough Research Problems – Overcoming Brick Walls from FamilySearch
• Breaking Down Walls, Brick by Brick from about.com
• Burned Counties Research from the FamilySearch Wiki
• Genealogy Source Citations Quick Reference from Thomas MacEntee

Step 8: As You Research: Connect With the Research Community, Learn from Others

Connecting with other researchers can greatly improve your research. Join the online research community at Afrigeneas. Join a research community on Facebook. Collaborate online with family members to further your research. Check out free genealogy webinars. Join a local genealogy society. Get connected!

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Get connected to get the most from your research.

• Going Social with Genealogy Robin Foster presents an overview of the most popular social networking sites.
• Geni Podcast: Collaborative Genealogy from Grant Brunner and Thomas MacEntee
• Genealogical Societies: They Do Your Genealogy Good by Thomas MacEntee

Step 9: Evaluate and Analyze What You Have Learned, Form New Research Questions

Evaluate source records. Apply the genealogical proof standard. Draw conclusions. Form new research questions based on what you have found.

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What have you learned from your document search? What new questions are raised? Which sources will help you answer new questions?

• Evaluate the Evidence from the FamilySearch Wiki
• Evidence Explained QuickLesson 17: The Evidence Analysis Process Map by Elizabeth Shown Mills
• Inferential Genealogy from the FamilySearch Learning Center, an interactive slide show by Dr. Tom Jones, with a useful handout
• Principles of Family History Research: Restart the Research Process from FamilySearch
• Using the Census to Find Other Records About Ancestors from the FamilySearch Wiki
• Recognizing and Overcoming Inconsistencies in Genealogy Research by Robin Foster

Step 10: Write and Share Your Family History

Write your family history. Publish your research. Create a genealogy blog.

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Resources for writing and publishing your family history

• 20 Reasons Why You Should Write Your Family History from the New York Public Library
• Writing Your Family and Personal History from the FamilySearch Wiki
• What Is a Family History? from FamilySearch
• Writing Your Family History from The Armchair Genealogist
• The Secret to Writing a Compelling Family History by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, CG
• Blogging Your Family History by Thomas MacEntee