Research Process • FamilySearch

Principles of Family History Research The Research Process
Research is done in cycles. You will complete a series of steps and then repeat the steps again, using the new knowledge you have gained. An illustration of the research cycle appears above. Slowly click the image twice to see a close-up view.

For successful research, follow these steps:

1. Identify what you know.
2. Decide what you want to learn.
3. Select records to search.
4. Obtain and search the records.
5. [[Use the InfoBold textItalic textInternal linkExternal link (remember http:// prefix)Level 2 headlineEmbedded fileFile linkIgnore wiki formattingYour signature with timestampHorizontal line (use sparingly) rmation|Evaluate and Use the information]].

v • d• e Links to Principles of Family History Research articles

Introduction	Using This Article · New to Genealogy? critical steps! · Your Genealogical Quest · The Research Process

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	Creation of Records · 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. Use the Information	Evaluate the Evidence · Transfer the Information · Organize the New Records · Share the Information · Restart the Research Cycle · For Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints · Further Reading When you think you are done - what to do!

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