21 May 2024
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You are (probably) too busy NOT to have a family history research log. Start one today, and you’ll thank yourself
You may think you're too busy to keep a family history research log. However we would argue that if you are busy, and only have time to snatch moments here and there to do your family history, that you are too busy NOT to keep a family history log! By incorporating a research log into the way you do your family history, you’ll find that you can pick it up and make the most every moment for family history, whether in the garden or on the go.
How to set up a family history research log
Why is a family history research log useful?
What lists are useful for family history?
How to set up a family history research log
Your research log can be paper or digital, Word document or Excel spreadsheet. Choose the way that works best for you. It doesn’t need to be complicated.
Set up a file with a few key columns:
• Date of research
• What & where you were researching
• What you found (and what you didn’t find)
• What you want to find out next time.
To see a simple example of a research log, see here.
Why is a family history research log useful?
When doing family history we find ourselves gathering a vast amount of fascinating information. It takes time and care to find it and we don’t want to waste time by searching for it over and again.
A research log will provide a useful record of what you have done - and what you think about it. A research log is the ideal place to record your work-in-progress family history research, thoughts, successful searches (and why you deduce them to contain correct information) and negative searches (and why it is that you may not have found your ancestor, and where else you may look for them).
Your log is the place to keep those precise details: archival references, the terms you searched on, useful urls. It's also effectively a journal for you to record your reflections on your family history findings, deductions and work-in-progress hypotheses.
A family history research log that includes notes-to-self and reminders where you left off your last research session, and what it is that you wish to start researching next time will be an invaluable genealogy time-saver.
What lists are useful for family history?
You may wish to set up other lists to help yourself keep organised too, such as:
- A list of books you’ve bought
- A wish list of books you’d like to read
- A list of records you’d like to follow up when you visit the relevant archive (including the archive reference number in your list, or your research log, to save you having to track it down in the future)
- A list of records or research goals you’d like to follow up with a specific website (for instance if you are paying a membership for just a few months’ access, rather than every month).
Get your copy of the Family History Workbook for Beginners
For other fabulous and extremely practical family history ideas order your copy of the Family History Workbook for Beginners. Price £11.99 (plus p&p) it's an packed guide to how to do family history better, right from the outset. Many of the ideas would suit those wishing to refresh their family history skills and ensure that their records, search skills and online tree are as organised as they would wish.