Genealogical or family history research is the process of searching records to find information about your relatives and using those records to link individuals to earlier and later generations.
This article describes a process for doing genealogical and family history research. In addition to following a process, research includes knowing about the records that have the information you . . .
This article describes a process for doing genealogical and family history research. In addition to following a process, research includes knowing about the records that have the information you . . .
seek. For discussions of specific records to use in your research, see the "Topics" on this wiki for the country, state or province of interest. You may also find information about records in the genealogical handbooks. This article is intended for persons who are interested in learning more about family history research. For a brief overview of the research process, see A Guide to Research.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
| STEP 1: Identify What You Know Use Appropriate Forms Recall Information Gather Family Information Gather Low-Hanging-Fruit Sources Record Useful Information Organize Your Records STEP 2: Decide What You Want to Learn Identify Candidate Families for Further Research One Family at a Time One Research Objective at a Time Select the Easiest Research Objective Prepare a Research Log STEP 3: Select Records to Search. Identify a Category of Sources Choose a Record Type Select Specific Records Describe the Records on a Research Log | STEP 4: Obtain and Search the Records. Obtain the Records View the Records Search the Records Record the Results STEP 5: Evaluate and Use the Information. Evaluate the Evidence Transfer the Information Organize the New Records Share the Information Mormon Genealogy Restart the Research Cycle For Further Reading |
Links to Principles of Family History Research Articles