Use Appropriate Forms: Difference between revisions

Begin by carefully [[Start Family History by Writing What is Known|recording and organizing your information]] so important facts and clues will not be lost. To help record the information you already know about family members, you may want to use standard genealogical forms such as family group records, and pedigree charts. These forms are familiar to other researchers and assure that your findings will be understandable to others. The forms, used by most researchers, can be purchased at genealogical stores, the Family History Library, Family History Centers, and most genealogical libraries.  

You could also use computer programs to generate these forms. After you type genealogical information once, these programs can generate many kinds of forms such as completed family group records and pedigrees. For example, the Personal Ancestral File computer program makes it easier to cite the sources which document events, and allow you to even add customized events to a family group record. Computer programs allow you to make frequent updates and share information with others while limiting the mistakes caused by redundant typing or writing of information. For further details see [[Use the Information#Using_a_Computer_for_Genealogy|Using a Computer for Genealogy]].  

The Personal Ancestral File program can be downloaded for free starting at the FamilySearch^TM Internet Genealogy Service home page at http://www.FamilySearch.org. There are several other commercial computer programs you can purchase which also help you keep and organize genealogical information. For more information about various programs see [[Not Sure Which Genealogy Management Software to Use?|Not Sure Which Genealogy Management Software to Use?]]  

[[Image:Family Group Record blank side 1.png|thumb|Blank family group record]][http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/images/31827_FamGrpRe.pdf Family group records] are forms with space to record information about the parents and children in one family. Good family group records show names, dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths (see the example to the right). You can enhance their value by citing the sources that document these events in the lives of family members. If you use computers to generate family group records, you also can easily display additional events such as censuses, change of residence, land purchases or sales, wills proved, and any other events in the family members' lives. The most useful family group records display as many events and sources as possible. The family group record can now be downloaded from the Wiki: [[Image:FamGrpRecord.pdf]]  

For a person who married more than once, make another family group record for each additional marriage, especially if the marriage produced children.  

[[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. The pedigree chart form can now be downloaded from the Wiki: [[Image:Pedigree Chart.pdf]]  

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. The Research Log can now be downloaded from the Wiki: [[Image:Research Log.pdf]]  

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 should also record other personal and family history information such as residences, occupations, schools attended, military service, property owned, and immigration or naturalization. At times such biographical information is essential to help prove relationships. You may use a computer program like Personal Ancestral File (see [[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record|Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record]]), a word processor, regular paper, or create your own form to keep your notes organized.  

As you record information, be consistent in the way you write it. Someday, other researchers may use your information or notes as they continue research on your family. The following suggestions are practiced by most genealogists, and are easily understood by all researchers.