Genealogy Research Forms

Family history forms help to organize family history work.  They help to track research efforts reducing duplication of effort and make research work quicker and more effective.  There are a variety of free family history forms available to download.  The following links are not a complete list.  A more comprehensive list can be found by searching for family history forms or for genealogy forms using your internet search engine.

FamilySearch

Census Worksheets - The blank worksheets linked below have the same columns and headings as the respective census.

British

• British Census Worksheet
• Ireland 1901/1911 Census Worksheet

Canada

• Canada 1851 Census Worksheet
  
• Canada 1861 Census Worksheet - Canada East (Quebec) and Canada West (Ontario)
• Canada 1871/1881 Census Worksheet
• Canada 1891 Census Worksheet
• Canada 1901 Census Worksheet

United States

• U.S. 1790 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1800/1810 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1820 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1830/1840 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1850 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1860 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1870 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1880 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1900 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1910 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1920 Census Worksheet
• U.S. 1930 Census Worksheet (headings)
• U.S. 1940 Census Worksheet (online fillable worksheet)

Family groups, pedigrees, and research logs

• Family Group Record Form - LDS - Includes LDS information.

• Electronic Family Group Record (eFGR) and related forms
  • eFGR MS Word format (close Dropbox, select direct download option,open in MS Word and save editable form to personal drive. This digital form can be filled out, edited, saved and shared electronically)
  • eFGR pdf format- for easy printing
  • Guide to Use of eFGR - explains how to enter personal data including multiple spouses and more children, and how to cite the source of each piece of information in this electronic Family Group Record.
  • Sample eFGR- shows what a completed electronic Family Group Record looks like.

• Pedigree Chart Form -  Interactive PDF form that can be completed before printing.
  
• Pedigree Chart Form - LDS Includes LDS information.
  
  
• Research Log (.pdf) - Plan research, list objectives, sources used, search results, and findings.
  
• Research Log (opens in Microsoft Word format) - can be filled out electronically.
  

Wiki forms

• To Do List for My Ancestor
  
• Blank Analysis Chart for a Possible Match
  
• Blank Analysis Chart for My Ancestor
  
• Blank Time Line for a Specific Record for a Possible Match
  
• Blank Time Line for My Ancestor
  

National Archives and Record Administration

The U.S. National Archives charts and forms webpage contains a wealth of research forms for Federal records. Forms corresponding to Federal records are useful for transcribing or abstracting information from original records.

Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets

• Ancestral chart (pedigree chart)
• Family group sheet

Federal Census Forms

• 1790
• 1800
• 1810
• 1820
• 1830
• 1840
• 1850
• 1850 Slave Schedule
• 1860
• 1860 Slave Schedule
• 1870
• 1880
• 1885 State Census
• 1890 Veterans Schedule
• 1900
• 1900 Special Inquires Relating to Indians
• 1910
• 1910 Special Inquires Relating to Indians
• 1920
• 1930
• 1940

Nonpopulation Census Forms

Not all of the following forms have links. Visit the NARA Charts and Forms webpage to download the forms. Wiki users are invited to add the missing links.

Agricultural

• 1850
• 1860
• 1870
• 1880
• 1885

Industrial-Manufactures

• 1850-1860
• 1870
• 1880
• 1885

Mortality

• 1850-1860
• 1870
• 1880
• 1885

1880 Census Supplemental Forms: Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes

• Schedule 2: Insane
• Schedule 3: Idiots
• Schedule 4: Deaf-Mutes
• Schedule 5: Blind
• Schedule 6: Homeless Children
• Schedule 7: Prisoners
• Schedule 7a: Pauper and Indigent

Immigration Forms

New York

• 1882-1903
• 1903-1907
• 1907
• 1907-1917
• 1917-1924
• 1924-1948
• 1948-1957

St. Albans

• Card Manifest

Military Forms

WWI Draft Registration

• Form A
• Form B
• Form C

WWII Draft Registration

• 4th Registration

Archives.com

Timeline Matrix - Available from a "for pay" subscription site, this expert article describes in detail how to construct your own simple timeline or timeline matrix, and provides several examples that you can use with spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel.

Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com is a "for pay" subscription site, however blank family history forms can be downloaded without subscribing.It is recommended that you use the icons provided by the Adobe Reader, rather than using your Internet browser's printing option. If you use your browser's printing option, you may experience unexpected results, such as printing a blank page or printing a distorted copy of the image.
Ancestral Chart - An ancestor chart records the ancestors from whom you directly descend--those for whom you intend to compile a complete and correct family unit. It shows at a glance the progress you have made towards this goal and what remains to be done.
Research Calendar - The research calendar gives an account of every record source you have searched and serves as a reminder of what you have already done and where you have found pertinent information.
Research Extract - Use the research extract sheets to summarize information which cannot be photocopied, for which there is no document in your possession, or for things such as deeds which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly when you need information from the copy you have.
Correspondence Record - It is important to keep track of those with whom you have corresponded, the reasons for writing, and whether or not you have already received an answer.
Family Group Sheet - Each piece of information concerning a pedigree ancestor and his/her family is placed on a worksheet. Since the end result of your research efforts will be to compile complete, correct and connected families, the use of family group sheets from the beginning will make the compilation much easier.
Source Summary - It is helpful to be able to refer quickly to information you have found for a particular family and the sources of that information. Keep a separate source summary of information found for each family group.

Census Forms - Census extraction forms are doubly valuable: not only do they allow researchers to see the format and column headings for various census years (especially if the schedules themselves are hard to read), they also provide a clean and convenient method for extracting and filing important information you find.

• US Census Forms
• UK Census Forms
• Canadian Census Forms

GenealogyBank

Family Tree Template - Download a free family tree template.  Insert your ancestors in the editable fields.  Print, and frame.  

Using Censuses to Track Ancestors

See Building a Probable Case by Census Tracking and Census Tracking for Beginners in the FamilySearch Learning Center.

Cyndi's List

Cyndi's List has links to over 150 family history forms and charts that are available on-line.

The Bailey’s Free Genealogy Forms

Family record sheet - Used to keep track of family data. It features references for each piece of information.

Pedigree chart - This is a cross from a version found in Reunion and a chart from the LDS. Its main feature is that it is simple.

Pedigree fan chart - Holds 8 generations (255 people). It is also very simple.

General family relationships chart - This is `family graph paper’. Names of family members or couples are written in boxes. Optional lines highlight the relationships. Use with generations going down, or across.

Timelines - These forms allow you to chart family history events during an arbitrary time period.

• 2 lines per sheet
• 3 lines per sheet
• 6 lines per sheet

Cemetery forms - These sheets are useful for people who wish to keep track of information in graveyards or sexton’s records. The first page allows one to map a cemetery and has room for cemetery contact information, as well as room for two gravestone entries.The additional pages have smaller maps (perhaps an inset from the first page) and room for six gravestone inscriptions.

Research log sheet - This sheet is fairly standard. It keeps track of research on an individual in a particular locality.

Correspondence log sheet - Used to keep track of letters/email you’ve sent to others for information.

Family Tree Magazine

Basic Charts and Worksheets  

• Five-generation ancestor chart - Standard five-generation pedigree chart.
• Family group sheet - Used for recording information about a nuclear family.
• Adoptive family tree - Used for recording both a person's biological and adoptive parents.
• Stepfamily tree - Used for recording information about stepfamilies in your ancestry.
• Relationship chart - Used to figure out how family members are related.
• Biographical outline - Used to record information on events in an ancestor's life such as education, military service, marriage and children

Research Trackers and Organizers

• Research calendar - A classic research organizer that'll help you keep track of materials you've searched.
• Note-taking form 1 - Designed for filing your notes by surname and record type: "ROBINSON: Census Records."
• Note-taking form 2 - Designed for filing your notes by couple or family group: "John and Mary Jones."
• Online Database Search Tracker - Use this form to track searches in Ancestry.com and other online genealogy databases. You'll avoid repeating fruitless searches, and, by methodically changing one search term at a time, increase your chances of finding the record you need.
• Repository checklist - Plan a research trip by recording details about the archive or library you intend to visit.
• Research journal - Here, list sources you've checked or plan to check.
• Research worksheet - This sheet is ideal for tracking research on long-lost relatives or 20th-century ancestors.
• Table of contents - On this form, list the documents in a file folder so you can find them quickly.
• Correspondence log - Keep track of general research requests you send to libraries and archives.
• Family correspondence log - Organize research requests sent to and from family members.
• Article reading list - Catalog genealogy articles you want to read or refer to later.
• Research checklist of books - List books you want to check for your ancestors' names.
• Book wish list - Make a checklist of genealogy books you'd like to buy or borrow.

Census Forms

• Census checklist - On this form, note which US censuses you've researched for each ancestor.
• 1790 Census Worksheet 
• 1800-1810 Census Worksheet
• 1820 Census Worksheet
• 1830 Census Worksheet 
• 1840 Census Worksheet 
• 1850 Census Worksheet  (includes slave schedule)
• 1860 Census Worksheet  (includes slave schedule)
• 1870 Census Worksheet 
• 1880 Census Worksheet 
• 1900 Census Worksheet 
• 1910 Census Worksheet 
• 1920 Census Worksheet 
• 1930 Census Worksheet 
• 1940 Census Worksheet

Immigration Forms

• Customs list 1821-1882 
• Customs list 1883-1897 
• Passenger list 1897-1903 
• Passenger list 1903-1907 www.familytreemagazine.com/upload/images/pdf/cemetery.pdf
• Passenger list 1907-1913
• Passenger list 1913-1917 
• Passenger list 1917-1942 

Record Worksheets

• Deed index—Grantees - For transcribing basic information from town or county deed indexes (by the recipient of property).
• Deed index—Grantors - Transcribe basic information from town or county deed indexes (by the name of the person selling property).
• Statewide marriage index - Record names of brides and grooms you find in a centralized statewide marriage index.
• Military records checklist - Keep track of your search for ancestors' military service files.
• Cemetery transcription form - Log locations, inscriptions and descriptions for family tombstones.
• Vital records chart - Learn when your ancestral state mandated keeping birth, marriage and death records.
• Military biography form - Write in service information as well as genealogical information, and add a photo if you have one.

Oral History and Heirlooms

• Artifacts and heirlooms - Keep track of details about family artifacts and heirlooms not in your possession.
• Tradition recording form - Record information about your family's traditions and folklore.
• Time capsules - Create your own time capsule from these sample questions.
• Oral history interview record - Use this form to record pertinent information about oral history interviews you conduct.
• Heirloom inventory - Describe the origins of your heirlooms for better integration with your family history.

Use the FamilySearch Learning Center to find online genealogy classes.