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Identify What You Know: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Pedigree Chart Blank.png|thumb|Blank pedigree chart]] Most [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/images/31826_PedChart.pdf pedigree charts], sometimes called “Ancestor” or “Lineage” Charts, have space for four or five generations (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.) There is space for dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. See the example at the right. Ancestral lines can continue onto other charts. | [[Image:Pedigree Chart Blank.png|thumb|Blank pedigree chart]] Most [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/images/31826_PedChart.pdf pedigree charts], sometimes called “Ancestor” or “Lineage” Charts, have space for four or five generations (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.) There is space for dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. See the example at the right. Ancestral lines can continue onto other charts. | ||
== Prepare a Research Log == | == Prepare a Research Log == | ||
[[Image:Log17.png|thumb|Filled-in homemade research log.]]A [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/images/31825_ResLog.pdf research log] (or calendar of searches) is a list of the source you searched, or plan to search for each objective, ancestor or family. It includes notes about what you found ( | [[Image:Log17.png|thumb|Filled-in homemade research log.]]A [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/images/31825_ResLog.pdf research log] (or calendar of searches) is a list of the source you searched, or plan to search for each objective, ancestor or family. It includes notes about what you found (and didn’t find). Most logs are kept in the order that records are selected or searches are made. | ||
You may have a research log for each objective, locality, ancestor, or family. Most researchers prefer to keep it simple with a set of research logs for each family they research. | You may have a research log for each objective, locality, ancestor, or family. Most researchers prefer to keep it simple with a set of research logs for each family they research. | ||
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A research log is crucial to successful research. It will help you: | A research log is crucial to successful research. It will help you: | ||
* | *Keep your research organized. | ||
* | *Keep your research focused on one objective for one individual at a time. | ||
* | *Avoid duplicating searches of sources without good reason. | ||
* | *Easily review and share search strategies with other interested searchers. | ||
* | *Document the facts found during research. | ||
* | *Record information about the records you searched in an orderly manner. | ||
* | *Identify what is found or not found for each objective. | ||
* | *Locate a record that was searched earlier if you need to check it again. | ||
Effective research logs | Effective research logs will include: | ||
*Ancestor's name | *Ancestor's name | ||
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*Location and call number of the sources searched | *Location and call number of the sources searched | ||
*Description of the sources, including complete information on author, title, and year | *Description of the sources, including complete information on author, title, and year | ||
*Comments, such as the purpose and results of the search and the years and names searched | *Comments, such as the purpose and results of the search and the years and names searched | ||
You may also use your research log to identify: | You may also use your research log to identify: | ||
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*Your document number or reference to findings | *Your document number or reference to findings | ||
*Quality of the source (if indexed, legible, language, etc.) | *Quality of the source (if indexed, legible, language, etc.) | ||
*The place where the person you are searching lived | *The place where the person you are searching lived | ||
You may purchase a basic log at the Family History Library, at Family History Centers, or at genealogical stores, or you may create your own. For more details about research logs see the wiki article [[Research Logs|Research Logs]], and [[Decide What You Want to Learn#Using a Research Log|Using a Research Log]] in Step 2 of this article. | You may purchase a basic log at the Family History Library, at Family History Centers, or at genealogical stores, or you may create your own. For more details about research logs see the wiki article [[Research Logs|Research Logs]], and [[Decide What You Want to Learn#Using a Research Log|Using a Research Log]] in Step 2 of this article. | ||
== Personal and Family History Notes == | == Personal and Family History Notes == | ||