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[[ | ''[[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research ]] > Decide what you want to learn''<br> | ||
At the end of this step you should have a research log that includes—<br> | At the end of this step you should have a research log that includes—<br> | ||
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Most researchers have a final destination in mind even before they begin research. This is your ''research quest''. However, to achieve your quest, you should divide it into several achievable ''goals''. Goals are achieved by dividing them into specific research objectives and then accomplishing each objective in turn. A ''research objective'' is a specific piece of information about one person. See the examples in the following box. | Most researchers have a final destination in mind even before they begin research. This is your ''research quest''. However, to achieve your quest, you should divide it into several achievable ''goals''. Goals are achieved by dividing them into specific research objectives and then accomplishing each objective in turn. A ''research objective'' is a specific piece of information about one person. See the examples in the following box. | ||
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| | | bgcolor="#66ffff" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Setting Objectives'''<br> | ||
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| bgcolor="#66ffff" | This example shows how a quest can lead to goals which in turn lead to research objectives. Goals and objectives may be either genealogical or reference. They may be easy or difficult to achieve. | | bgcolor="#66ffff" | This example shows how a quest can lead to goals which in turn lead to research objectives. Goals and objectives may be either genealogical or reference. They may be easy or difficult to achieve. | ||
'''Possible Quests:'''<br>A. I want to visit my immigrant ancestor's home town in the old country.<br>B. I want to put up an Internet genealogy web site for my own family.<br>C. I want to submit my genealogy to the Pedigree Resource File.<br> | '''Possible Quests:'''<br>A. I want to visit my immigrant ancestor's home town in the old country.<br>B. I want to put up an Internet genealogy web site for my own family.<br>C. I want to submit my genealogy to the Pedigree Resource File.<br> | ||
'''Possible Goals for Quest A:'''<br>1. Identify the immigrant on the Pierce line.<br>2. Complete the family group of the immigrant.<br>3. Identify Grandfather Pierce's parents and siblings.<br>4. Understand what it was like to be an immigrant.<br>5. Learn where the immigrant came from.<br> | '''Possible Goals for Quest A:'''<br>1. Identify the immigrant on the Pierce line.<br>2. Complete the family group of the immigrant.<br>3. Identify Grandfather Pierce's parents and siblings.<br>4. Understand what it was like to be an immigrant.<br>5. Learn where the immigrant came from.<br> | ||
'''Possible Objectives for Goal 5:'''<br>a. What date did the immigrant arrive in America?<br>b. At what port did he arrive?<br>c. Is there a picture of the ship on which he sailed?<br>d. Is he on a ship passenger list?<br>e. When was the immigrant born?<br>f. In what town was he born?<br> | '''Possible Objectives for Goal 5:'''<br>a. What date did the immigrant arrive in America?<br>b. At what port did he arrive?<br>c. Is there a picture of the ship on which he sailed?<br>d. Is he on a ship passenger list?<br>e. When was the immigrant born?<br>f. In what town was he born?<br> | ||
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*Help you succeed and enjoy your research experience. | *Help you succeed and enjoy your research experience. | ||
In order to select a specific research objective, you will first identify several individuals or families you could research, then you will choose one. With one individual or family in mind, you will have a goal and can then identify questions about him or her. Next, select one question as the research objective. Then you will prepare and use a research log. | In order to select a specific research objective, you will first identify several individuals or families you could research, then you will choose one. With one individual or family in mind, you will have a goal and can then identify questions about him or her. Next, select one question as the research objective. Then you will prepare and use a research log. | ||
= '''Identify Candidate Families for Further Research''' = | = '''Identify Candidate Families for Further Research''' = | ||
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Proximity implies a relationship of some kind. Good genealogists use this to their advantage. | Proximity implies a relationship of some kind. Good genealogists use this to their advantage. | ||
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| | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Proximity implies a relationship.''' | ||
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4. Quality of available documents. | 4. Quality of available documents. | ||
For more details about selecting easier objectives see [[Guessing the Easiest to Research Person and Event|Guessing the Easiest to Research Person and Event]]. | For more details about selecting easier objectives see [[Guessing the Easiest to Research Person and Event|Guessing the Easiest to Research Person and Event]]. | ||
=Using a Research Log= | = Using a Research Log = | ||
Keep your [[Research Logs|research log]] up to date. [[Document AS YOU GO!|Organize and document as you go]]. Record the following: | Keep your [[Research Logs|research log]] up to date. [[Document AS YOU GO!|Organize and document as you go]]. Record the following: | ||
*'''''Your [[Decide What You Want to Learn#One Research Objective at a Time|research objective]]''''' (name the person and event) as soon as you have chosen them. | *'''''Your [[Decide What You Want to Learn#One Research Objective at a Time|research objective]]''''' (name the person and event) as soon as you have chosen them. | ||