genealogy research report template

How to Write a Genealogy Research Report

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Inside every genealogist is a hidden (or a not-so-hidden) detective. We all love the thrill of the hunt and the challenge of a mysterious kinship. We hone our search skills, learn about records, and ponder the evidence. Yet there’s another aspect of detective work that we often brush aside—writing reports about our research.

Research reports are powerful investigative tools. In criminal cases, detectives use them to summarize, analyze and communicate findings. They can do the same for family history research. Professionals create them for clients, but most experienced genealogists also write reports on their family research, purely for their own files. Why? Because reports help them build on their discoveries to solve problems of identity and relationship.

And no matter where you are in your family history search, creating a report can help you, too. I’m confident that once you see how beneficial research reports are and how simple they can be to construct, you’ll be convinced they’re well worth your time.

The Benefits of Writing a Genealogy Research Report

It may seem counterproductive to use your limited research time writing about the work you’ve already done instead of searching for new records. But you’ll reap benefits that save you time in the long run. A research report chronicles the work you’ve done toward answering a particular question about your family history, identifying:

the focus of your research problem
the information with which you started
the resources you used
your research discoveries
your thoughts and analysis
your summary or conclusion
your ideas for future research

Because your report shows what you looked for and found (or didn’t find), you won’t end up repeating searches. This is especially helpful if you’re juggling multiple projects or only have short intervals to work on genealogy. If you need to put your research efforts on pause for a while, the report makes it possible to come back and pick up where you left off without missing a beat.

The process of writing also clarifies your thinking. Because extracting the information from a document and analyzing it in writing forces you to slow down and think it over, you’re more likely to notice small but meaningful details, and put them together with details found in other documents. This aids you in determining what the evidence means. It also makes it easier to compare and correlate different pieces of information—a vital part of solving any problem.

If you’ve been working on an ancestor for some time, writing a report can help you gather your evidence discovered over time, and see where gaps might exist in your research. It’s a great way to brainstorm ideas for a new research plan, which you can even begin to develop right there in the report. A summary like this is also helpful if you want to ask a professional or a genealogical society for assistance. The person will be able to see what you’ve already done, so he or she can get up to speed on your query more quickly and won’t need to duplicate your previous work.

Similarly, if you’re starting on a new line or if friends or relatives have asked for your help with their family history, it’s a good idea to create a report at the outset and add to it as you go along. When you’ve finished, you can turn the report with documents you’ve found over to them, knowing your work won’t be lost or misunderstood.

Many genealogists also write reports on special research trips, such as to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or to an area where ancestors lived. Such reports might be started before the trip, fleshed out during it, and polished up afterward at home. These trips often represent a big investment in time and money, and the records may not be available anywhere else. So it’s wise practice to keep track of the results and analyze them fully.

Who, then, can benefit from writing a research report? In short, anyone who:

is working on a problem of ancestor identity or kinship
needs to pause and resume research at a later time
is trying to summarize previous work and generate new ideas
is planning a trip to a repository or ancestral locality
is looking for help from someone else
is offering help to someone else

As you can see, that covers a wide range of territory. Fortunately, you can easily adapt reports to fit your own situation and needs. They don’t need to be fancy or complex to be useful. As a genealogy professional, I’ve written dozens of reports, and I’ve learned some keys to effective yet easy reporting to share with you.

Embrace a Write-As-You-Go Approach

In school, many of us learned to write reports after we’d finished reading the books and doing the research. For me, at least, that wasn’t much fun. Who wants to labor over a report after all the interesting work of discovery and synthesis is done? That’s why I’m among the many genealogists who’ve embraced a write-as-you-go approach.

Writing as you go simply means setting up the framework for your report when you first begin a new project or phase of work, and then filling in your results as you find them. Setting the report up when the question is fresh—before you undertake any new research or know the outcome—allows it to grow organically as your understanding of the evidence grows. You’ll find it flows more naturally and can actually help guide your research efforts.

It’s a good idea to create a short sample report in your word processing software to use as a template. That way, you don’t need to start from scratch each time you begin a new one. Even though the topic and resources will vary, the basic sections will be structured more or less the same. The following six steps will guide you in crafting a versatile report.

Six Steps to Writing Your Research Report

1. identify your focus..

Whether the report is for your own research or someone else’s, the first step is to note your name, the date, and what the subject is. To begin, open a blank document and type in the following lines:

Prepared by: (your name and contact information)
Prepared for: (“My Research Files,” or the name of relative or fellow researcher)
Date finished: (leave blank for now)
Research question or goal

For the title, choose something more specific than, say, “Baker Family Research.” A title like “Searching for the Parents of Isaac Baker” might better reflect the true focus of the report. For a report following a research trip, try something like “Researching Bakers in Berkshire County Records at the Family History Library.”

Similarly, give some thought to your research question or goal. This is a short statement—typically just one or two sentences—but it sets the framework for your entire project. The research question has two important components: First, it needs to identify precisely the person or couple at the center of your research. This involves not only naming the person, but also placing him or her in a particular place during a particular time period. Second, it needs to explain what you hope to investigate and learn during the course of your research.

Stating a research question or goal isn’t as hard as it might sound, because the two components fit together seamlessly to express your objective. Questions and statements like these might strike you as lengthy at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of writing them. Some examples of a research question or goal include:

Who were the parents of Isaac Baker, 1840 resident of Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Mass.?
Was Catherine Anderson, who married Thomas Smith on 20 April 1859 in Cass County, Mo., the daughter of Cass County resident William Anderson?
This project will explore sources of information at the Family History Library about Baker families living in Berkshire County, Mass., about 1800-1860.

2. Show what you know.

Now that you’ve defined your research objective in specific terms, offer a brief recap of what you already know about the subject. This section might be called “Starting Point,” “Background Information,” or “Summary of Previous Research.” Choose whichever term you prefer and enter it into your template.

Try to sum up what led you to this point in a couple of paragraphs. It isn’t necessary to write a full biography of the person’s life. Rather, think of it as a synopsis of information you’ve gathered pertaining to the research question. If you’ve developed a theory based on that information, now’s the time to explain what you think and why.

Indicate where the information came from, too. Have you been reading your great-aunt’s handwritten pedigree, a set of census records, an obituary clipping, an online family tree, or some combination of the above? Knowing the sources you started with will be important in judging the information’s reliability as you accumulate more evidence.

If you’ve done a lot of previous work, it could be helpful to attach a chart or timeline here for quick reference. In most cases, though, a few short paragraphs outlining the key players in the person’s life (spouses, children, siblings or parents, if known), pertinent dates and places, and clues you hope to build on will be enough to launch you forward.

3. List your resources.

Set up a section of your report near the beginning to serve as a master list of “Resources Used.” That way, you’ll be able to see the websites you searched, the libraries or archives you visited and/or the people you contacted at a glance. You’ll still want to write citations for each new document you find, but this list will help you write them and save you from digging through your footnotes if you forget whether you looked at a certain website.

To save time, create a list of frequently used resources in your report template, which you can add to or subtract from as needed. I divide mine into three parts: online sources, repositories visited and correspondence. For online sources, I list websites I commonly use with their home URLs, such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch . For repositories visited, I list places I frequently research, including my local library and my state archive. Modify these lists for each report as you go along, deleting sources you didn’t use and inserting additional ones you did. The correspondence section stays blank until I get into a project. Then I add people or archives with whom I spoke on the phone or exchanged emails or letters.

If you have any limitations on your project, indicate them here as well. Perhaps you’re limited to five hours of work, or you’re focused solely on records created in Iowa, or you’re using online resources only. It may be important to know what those limiting factors were in the future, especially if you’re sharing your report with others.

4. Report your findings.

This section, typically called “Research Findings” or “Research Notes,” will comprise the body of your research report. It’s where you’ll record the nitty-gritty details of the information found in the sources you looked at, complete with source citations. It’s also the place where you’ll analyze and begin to compare the evidence. Every source in your Research Findings should receive a three-part treatment:

Abstract or transcribe information from the record
Write a source citation as a footnote or endnote
Analyze what the record tells you or suggests

Since you’ll probably be looking at a number of sources, you’ll want to organize or group them in some way. Grouping by type of record—such as census records, marriage records, probate records, newspaper records, etc.—is a common and natural way to structure your research findings. If you’re gathering records from different localities, like deeds from three different counties, you could organize by locality instead. In some cases, grouping by time period or by person might make the most sense. Choose the type of grouping that works well for your particular project.

For example, let’s say you want to organize by record types. Create a heading for, say, “Census Records.” If your first record is the 1860 US census, make a subheading for that. With the digitized image of the census in front of you, write down all the information it contains. You might use bullet points to create a list of household members, in the order in which they appear, with age, sex, occupation and so forth for each one. This is the process of abstracting the record—recounting the information faithfully in shortened form.

Some records, such as a minister’s return of a marriage, lend themselves better to transcribing—copying the entire record word-for-word, exactly as it appears. Transcriptions should appear with quotation marks around them. Your report will likely contain a mixture of abstracts and transcriptions.

Once you’ve captured what the record says, note where it came from. All word processing programs allow you to create footnotes and endnotes, which are ideal for source citations. Many people prefer footnotes, as this keeps the information and citation together on the same page, but endnotes are also fine. If you don’t know how to create footnotes in your software, you could put your citations in parentheses or brackets following the abstracted information.

Now, think about what this information means. What’s significant about it? Does it answer a question, or suggest a direction to explore? Does it raise additional questions? In a separate paragraph labeled “Analysis” or “Comments,” offer your thoughts and observations. Allow yourself time to reflect on the information and how it relates to other evidence you’ve collected. Does it agree or disagree with other findings?

This analysis is truly the heart of your report. As you proceed with your research, patterns, similarities and/or discrepancies may start to appear. Consider these carefully and think about why. Through this process, analysis leads into correlation. In his landmark book, Mastering Genealogical Proof (National Genealogical Society), board-certified genealogist Thomas W. Jones defines correlation as “a process of comparing and contrasting genealogical information and evidence to reveal conflicts, parallels and patterns.” In most cases, this is how you’ll reach your research objective.

One last note: in addition to recording the sources you found, it’s also important to note when your searches came up empty. If you expected to find a marriage record for your ancestors in Boone County, Ky., but didn’t find one, indicate exactly what online database(s), microfilm, published record books or other resources you consulted. Keeping track of these negative results helps you avoid repeating work, and can spur you to expand your search to other localities.

5. Sum it up.

Once you’ve finished all the research, read over and polish your report. Edit it for grammar, style and clarity. Then, while it’s fresh in your mind, write a “Summary of Results” or “Conclusion” section to summarize what you discovered. Have you answered your research question? What can you infer or conclude in light of the evidence you found?

Since you’ve been analyzing the evidence all along, this summary should be relatively simple to write. It’ll draw from and expand on the analysis and correlation you’ve already done. Nonetheless, you may find the process of synthesizing everything together sparks more ideas and connections. That’s one of the reasons you’re taking the time to write a report in the first place.

Your summary might also expose conflicts between pieces of evidence. Can you explain or resolve those conflicts? If so, this is the place to say how. If not, you may simply need to acknowledge that the evidence disagrees, and that more work is needed in order to resolve the matter.

6. Plan for the future.

In the final section of your report, “Recommendations,” list any additional resources you’d like to look at in the future. These will be based on ideas that came to mind while you were researching or evaluating the evidence. Recommendations for future research might include:

other records to explore, such as military or land records
visiting a certain archives or repository
digging into records of another city, county or state
newly discovered relatives or associates to investigate

It’s a good idea to add things to this list as they occur to you during the writing and proofreading process, and then finalize it at the end. Think about where you’d like to go from here. Your list of recommendations can serve as a ready-made research plan for your next round of family history discoveries.

At last it’s time to sit back, relax and look with pride at the report you created. With any luck, you’ve met your research objective, or at least made strides in the right direction. It’s always a good idea to make a backup copy. Save your report, along with any records it refers to, on a cloud-based server, such as Evernote , Google Drive or Dropbox (a “List of Attached Records” makes a handy index to include in the report). This ensures you’ll be able to access the documents anytime and anywhere. Cloud storage also makes it easy to share your findings, simply by inviting others to view the file.

Investigative reporters know that focusing attention on a problem in writing is one of the best ways to spur action and generate solutions. Many genealogical problems can benefit from the same treatment. So next time you’re faced with an ancestral mystery, take the time to start a report for yourself. You may find the answer is right there in black and white.

A version of this article appeared in the September 2016 issue of Family Tree Magazine .

Shelley K. Bishop

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Genealogical Work Samples

The following materials appear here as examples of genealogical work prepared by board-certified genealogists and, in many cases, published by peer-reviewed journals.

Each work sample appears here with the permission of the author, is copyrighted by the author, and may not be further reproduced elsewhere without the written consent of the author. Facsimile copies of published articles appear with the permission of the National Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society.

Note that no example is ever perfect in every respect. Moreover, every journal has its own style requirements reflecting its own traditions that may not comport entirely with the requirements of The BCG Application Guide . For these reasons, these samples are not models for portfolio submissions. In all portfolio submissions, the Application Guide controls.

Research Reports | Case Studies | Family Histories | Client Agreements

Research Reports

The following work samples are presented in chronological order, newest to oldest.

Green, Shannon, CG. “Alta Jane Durst’s Father” (2021 DNA report sample)

Zinck, Jennifer, CG. “Parents of Clara Cowles of Suffield, Connecticut.” (2020 new applicant portfolio)

Wayne, Debbie Parker, CG. “Who were the Parents of Minnie J., wife of Thomas Anderson…?” (2020 renewal portfolio)

Ball-Kilbourne, Gary, CG. “Calvin Research Report.” (2018 new applicant portfolio)

Vidlak, Mary O’Brien, CG. John C. Follette research report . (2015 new applicant portfolio)

Mills, Elizabeth Shown, CG, CGL, FASG. “ Samuel Witter (1787-1876) and the War of 1812 .” (2012/2017)

Ruffner, Malissa, CG. “ Pierre Lapouraille (m.1819) .” (2012 new applicant portfolio)

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Case Studies

Garrett-Nelson, LaBrenda, JD, LLM, CG, CGL. “Parents for Isaac Garrett of Laurens County, South Carolina: DNA Corroborates Oral Tradition.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 108 (June 2020): 85–112. NGSQ Award of Excellence, 2020.

Henningfield, Melinda, CG. “A Family for Mary (Jones) Hobbs Clark of Carroll County, Arkansas.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107 (March 2019): 5–30. NGSQ Award of Excellence, 2019.

Peters, Nancy A., CG, CGL. “Hiram Cochran, Freedman of Abbeville County, South Carolina.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106 (September 2018): 165–180.

Russell, Judy G, JD, CG, CGL. “ George Washington Cottrell of Texas: One Man or Two? ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 105 (September 2017): 165-179. NGSQ Award of Excellence 2017.

Hobbs, Patricia Lee, CG. “DNA Identifies a Father for Rachel, Wife of James Lee of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 105 (March 2017):43–56.

Hoitink, Yvette, CG. “ Griete Smit’s Parentage: Proof in the Absence of Vital Records .” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (December 2016): 245-256.

Garrett-Nelson, LaBrenda, JD, LLM, CG, CGL. “ Resolving a Modern Genealogical Problem: What was Rainey Nelson’s Birth Name? ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (September 2016): 203–213.

Stanbary, Karen, CG. “ Rafael Arriaga, a Mexican Father in Michigan: Autosomal DNA Helps Identify Paternity. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (June 2016): 85-98. NGSQ Award of Excellence 2016.

Baty, Laurel T., CG. “ Aaron Strickland’s North Carolina Origin. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (March 2016): 21–37.

Johnson, Melissa A., CG. “ Mothers for Sophie (Kanetski) Howe of Scranton, Pennsylvania. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 103 (June 2015): 105-113.

Jones, Thomas W., Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG. “ Too Few Sources to Solve a Family Mystery? Some Greenfields in Central and Western New York. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 103 (June 2015): 85–103.

Lennon, Rachal Mills, CG, FASG. “ Context and Comrades Illuminate a Silent Southerner: John Temple (1758–1838), Revolutionary War Pensioner. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 103 (March 2015): 49–67. NGSQ Award of Excellence 2015.

Andrews, Jean Atkinson, CG. “ Indirect Evidence for the Identity of Richard Andrews (1748-1824) of Stark County, Ohio. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 103 (March 2015): 37–48.

Peterson, Allen R., CG, AG. “ Dead Men Do Not Sell Timber: The Sinking of the Snow Owen and Captain Plato Denney’s Two Deaths. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 101 (September 2013): 175-188.

Mills, Elizabeth Shown, CG, CGL, FASG. “ Which Marie Louise is ‘Mariotte’? Sorting Slaves of Common Names. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 94 (September 2006): 183-204.

Family Histories

Hare, Alison, CG. “The Family of John Goldfinch and Sarah Honey: From Kent, England, to New Brunswick, Canada.” (2019 renewal portfolio)

Hoyt, Sharon L., CG. “Her Sixth Matrimonial Venture: The Many Marriages of Ida May Chamberlain.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106 (September 2018): 217–238. Winner, NGS Family History Writing Contest 2017.

Tomlinson, Leslie Watson, CG. “The Rickmonds: A Railroad Family.” (2018 new applicant portfolio)

Stallings, Faye Jenkins, CG. “Following the Umbilical Line from Rachael Vowles to Her Granddaughter Amanda Ann Norris.” (2018 new applicant portfolio)

Henderson, Harold A., CG. “ A Stitch In Time: Female Descendants of Polly Holmes (1805–1839) of Madison County. ” New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 148 (2017): 173-190.

Wilds, Scott M., CG. “ Three Generations: From West Africa to the Great Migration. ” (Online publication, 2017 new applicant portfolio).

Graham, Paul K., CG, AG. “ A Love Story Proved: The Life and Family of Laura Lavinia (Kelly) Combs of Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 101 (December 2013): 245-266. Winner, NGS Family History Writing Contest 2012.

Bittner, F. Warren, CG. “ Without Land, Occupation, Rights, or Marriage Privilege: The Buttner Family from Bavaria to New York. ” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 100 (September 2012): 165-187. Winner, NGS Family History Writing Contest 2011.

Client Agreements

A genealogist performing research for others is well-advised to have a written agreement for services. Moreover, the research report for another person submitted as part of a BCG portfolio must contain the permission of the person for whom the report was prepared. Sample agreements for these purposes — to be used only as a springboard for analysis and discussion and not as a substitute for consulting with an attorney licensed to practice in the relevant jurisdictions — may be found here:

• Client Release

• Client Agreement

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Research Templates

Family historians rely on a number of organizational tools, including commonly used forms to record their research efforts and findings. Even though most genealogical software programs will export your findings into such formats, it is important to understand how each works and how they can be organized to best support future research. The following templates will help you organize your research, save you time, and present your information in a consistent and accurate way.

Family Charts

Five generation family chart.

A multi-generational chart provides a road map of your ancestors and includes basic information about each couple: full name and date and place of birth, death, and marriage. Each person on the chart receives a number. The subject of the chart is number 1; the subject’s father is 2, the mother is 3; the father’s father is 4, the father’s mother is 5; etc. Each chart is assigned a number and cross-referenced to connect charts and generations. Thus, every ancestor receives a unique number that can be used as shorthand or for filing. E.g., 3:6 refers to chart number 3, person number 6.

Family Group Sheet

A family group sheet provides a snapshot of each nuclear family and records pertinent information about each family member. This information may include:

For father and mother: given and last name(s); birth, death, and marriage date and place; parents’ names; other marriages
For children: sex, given and last name(s); birth, death, and marriage date and place; spouse’s name

Research Plan Template

A research plan provides a roadmap for your genealogical research. This easy-to-use template takes you through the process of forming a good research question, identifying which records help you answer the question, clarifying record availability for your time period and location, and listing specific repositories where the records may be found.

Research Log

Research logs are an excellent way to keep track of the research you have already accomplished. They contain a list of every source you consulted—and whether your search was successful or not. Handwritten or typed, these logs help prevent duplicate searches and lookups.

Annotated Research Log

This annotated research log (excel file) provides a starting point for you to track your research and stay focused on the genealogical issue at hand. You can easily add columns, rows, and sort your findings.

Interview Questions

Gather information about your family and ancestors by interviewing family members, friends, and neighbors. These suggested interview questions will help!

Family Questionnaire

Compile additional information for your research or publication by mailing or emailing relatives and family friends a questionnaire.

Early Census Comparison Charts

Beyond the head of household, early censuses provide little information about the individual members of a family. It can therefore be difficult to track families from one census to the next. Use these forms to help compare families between censuses.

1800-1810 census comparison
1810-1820 census comparison
1830-1840 census comparison, free white families
1830-1840 census comparison, free colored families
1830-1840 census comparison, slave families

Researching House History

Uncovering the history of a house may shed light on family dynamics, social class, historical context, material culture, and more. You may be surprised at what you find! Use the below forms to organize your house history research:

Occupant Chart

1950 U.S. Federal Census Worksheet

Use this worksheet to guide your research through the newly released 1950 U.S. Federal Census.

Writing & Publishing

Format your article or book manuscript using Register style—a widely used genealogical format that's been used for more than 100 years. An editor looking over an article submitted for possible publication will be favorably impressed and will follow your text more easily when the material is presented in Register format. Read more about the Register

Ahnentafel Template

An ahnentafel , or ancestor table, begins at or near the present and follows a direct line of ancestors as far back as is traceable or for a certain number of generations. Each person is numbered. If you are tracing your own ancestry, you would be number 1, and each person would be numbered in a particular order from there: your father would be number 2 and your mother number 3; his parents would be 4 and 5; her parents would be 6 and 7, and so on. Men are always even and women are always odd. You double a person’s number to get his or her father’s number; you double the number and add 1 to get his or her mother’s number. This template will help you organize and format the content for each numbered couple.

Sample Stylesheet

This stylesheet is a sample only. Although many of the items listed reflect rules that NEHGS follows, you need not match all exactly. Establish your own guidelines and, most important, be consistent! For punctuation, hyphenation, and other general style rules, refer to The Chicago Manual of Style .

Editorial Checklist

Use this resource to help refine your work and keep elements and styles consistent.

Drop Chart template

Use this template to construct an easy-to-follow visual aid showing direct descendancy—a perfect chapter opener!

Home Blog Methodology Writing a Genealogy Research R...

Writing a Genealogy Research Report

This series focuses on how I applied the steps in the Research Like a Pro process for a personal research project. I walked through these steps in a study group I participated in last fall . The first step was to create a research objective. This was mine: Trace the descendants of Robert Dale in search of potential autosomal and Y-DNA test takers. Robert was an agricultural laborer born on 30 August 1801 in Bracon Ash, Norfolk, England. Robert married Dinah Dawson on 13 October 1823 in Wreningham, Norfolk, England. He died in April 1879 in Flordon, Norfolk, England.

The next step in the process was to create a timeline to analyze what I already knew, spot holes in the research, and determine which localities I would be researching during this project. All the events in Robert and Dinah Dale’s lives took place in Norfolk County, England, so that became the subject for my locality guide.

After taking these steps, I used my locality guide to create my research plan :

Solidify the births of each child to their parents and ensure all children of the family have been discovered. Utilize church records and the England and Wales Birth Registration Index, requesting original vital records as needed.
Trace each child as fully as possible in census records from 1851 – 1921. Identify additional generations along the way.
Use birth, marriage, and death registration indexes to confirm generational links, requesting original vital records as needed.

Once my plan was created, I performed the research, tracking my work in an Airtable research log and creating a family diagram using LucidChart.

With my research completed, the next step in the Research Like a Pro process was to write my research report.

Reasons for Writing a Research Report

Writing a research report takes time and effort. However, it is worth it! Here are a few reasons for writing up your research:

Writing helps you organize the information, process what you have learned, correlate the evidence, and draw valid conclusions. I am always surprised at the discoveries I make after I think my research is finished. These discoveries happen as I write!
Writing a report helps you remember what you did during a research session. You think you will never forget what you have discovered and how you discovered it, but you will!
Your report will act as a starting point for you when you want to pick up the research again. By including future research suggestions in the report, you can remember the ideas you had as you were researching and pick up right where you left off.
A report is a shareable document that you can add as documentation to your family tree. When you share that family tree with others or place the documentation on the global FamilySearch tree, you are validating the information you have added to your ancestor’s profile.
Reasonably exhaustive research.
Complete and accurate source citations.
Thorough analysis and correlation.
Resolution of conflicting evidence.
Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.

What to Include in Your Report

A research report should include the following elements:

Introduction and Basic Information: The author, date, and subject of the report.
Context and Background: A summary of past research to help understand the results of the current research.
Purpose and Focus: An explanation of the report objective, including specifications by the client.
Limitations and Resources: Any restrictions on research hours, access to information, expenses, or other resources.
Content and Format: A report structure that focuses on the research goals, including well-reasoned explanations of why any research goal or purpose was or was not met.
Presentation of Findings: Details on where, when, and why information was found, presented logically.
Inconclusive Results: Descriptions of searches that do not find evidence (along with findings of direct, indirect, and negative evidence) in sufficient detail to avoid unnecessary future searches of the same records.
Explaining Gaps: If the research did not meet the objective, a clear explanation of why and where it lacks, along with suggestions to make further progress on the objective in the future.
Protecting the Report: Measures taken to prevent alteration and loss or separation of any part of the report. 2

A template for report writing that will help the writer meet these standards was one of the things included in the Research Like a Pro study group. The sections of the report template include headings for the Objective, Limitations, Results Summary, Background Information, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, and Suggestions for Future Research. Each report I write includes these basic elements, but I also include other things to help present the information, including tables, maps, and figures. I have created my own templates for my client reports and other written products. I will be sharing tips for creating templates in an upcoming blog series, Putting Microsoft Word to Work for You.

Writing the Report

I had already begun writing by the time I got to this point. If you remember, I wrote my objective at the beginning of the project, and I wrote my background information section during the research planning phase of the project. I copied and pasted these elements into my report. I was now ready to write the rest of the report. Most often, I organize my reports by record type or by person, based on what will work best for my objective. As I write, I provide reasoning for each record type that I searched during the research process, and analyze and correlate the evidence as I go. Because I was tracing several generations of a family, I decided to format this report a little differently than I usually do.

In the Findings and Analysis section of the report, I first added information about the different record types I consulted during the research session:

Next, since I would be presenting many descendants of the research subject Robert Dale, I decided to create a Descending Genealogy using the NGSQ numbering system, outlined in a book called Numbering Your Genealogy . 3 I felt like this would be the best way to present the information so a reader wouldn’t lose track of who was who. I provided a key in the report so the reader would understand the system:

Generation Number: a superscripted, italicized number following the first name of a person in a main entry and the first child in a child list. Example: Robert 1 Dale.

Individual Numbers: Every person is assigned a person number. This number is followed by a period for a main entry and no period in the child list. The numbers do not start over with each family. Example: 1. Robert 1 Dale.

Child Lists: Children in each family are numbered with small Roman numerals following their individual numbers. Each child in a family who has a main entry in the next generation is designated with a + sign before his or her individual number. Example: + 2 i. James 2 Dale.

Generational Reference: When an individual is listed in a main entry, their descent from the original ancestor is listed after their name. Example: 42. Rosa Lillian 4 Dale (William John 3 , William 2 , Robert 1 ).

I titled this section of my report “Genealogical Summary” and presented a source-cited descending genealogy of Robert Dale and Dinah Dawson. I ended up tracing some lines down to the fourth or fifth generation. Here’s a look at one section:

I was happy with the way this report turned out. Here is my report conclusion: “At the conclusion of this research session, much progress was made toward the objective of discovering DNA test takers among the descendants of Robert and Dinah (Dawson) Dale. Two possible autosomal DNA test takers have been identified. Modern records could reveal whether they are still living, or whether they have children who could take a test. The research on other lines in the family has laid the foundation for further work that can be done to seek additional candidates for DNA testing.”

After writing the report, I created a summary of results, which I placed at the beginning of the report. As I wrote, I also created a robust list of future research suggestions that I included at the end of the report. This list will help me continue to identify DNA test takers as needed going forward. If you are interested, you can read my report in its entirety here: Tracing the Descendants of Robert and Dinah Dale.

Continuing the Research

Although I finished the Research Like a Pro study group last November, my research on this project hasn’t ended. Over the last few months, I have been able to identify two living descendants and get their contact information. I recently sent them letters via USPS to explain my research and invite them to take an Ancestry DNA test. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will hear back from them soon and that they will agree to help with this project!

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Alice Childs, AG®

As an Accredited Genealogist® professional, I am excited to help you connect with your ancestors through family history and genealogy research. Whatever your age or skill level, there is something here for you!

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HollyGenealogy

Professional research services, genealogy research report.

A typical research project includes planning, the research itself and a genealogy research report.

Research Plan

A genealogy plan outlines the best methods to use and sources to examine during research. The ultimate purpose of the plan is to develop a strategy to best answer your research questions.

Research plans consist of a brief analysis of the documentation provided by you, along with an explanation of the research strategy and a list of record collections to research.

If you like doing your own family history research, and just need a little assistance getting organized, Holly can assist you with developing a genealogy research plan. This can be accomplished through a genealogy consultation .

Utilizing sources that have not been searched
Revisiting previously used sources in cases when information may have been misinterpreted or important clues may have been overlooked
Expanding the research to include extended family members, whose records may provide answers to your research question

Research Report

If you decide to have Holly do the research for you, the end result is a genealogy research report. The report is an account of the research conducted, written for the purpose of determining facts and developing research conclusions.

Depending on the project, Holly can produce reports that provide either summarized or detailed research results.

The research objective/goal
A description of the documentation you provided about your ancestor(s)
An explanation of the research strategy
A concise narrative of the sources consulted and the research results
If applicable, additional research recommendations

The detailed report includes all of the above, plus a comprehensive analysis of the sources consulted and an extensive rationale for research results.

If you want to see an example of Holly’s genealogy research reports, samples of redacted reports are available upon request.

If you have any questions about genealogy research reports or if you are interested in having Holly assist you with your research efforts, click on the button below to send her an e-mail inquiry.

Writing Your Family’s Genealogy Report (Step By Step)

Table of Contents

1 The Importance of a Genealogy Report
2 Types of Genealogy Reports
3.1 1. Choose a format for your family history
3.2 2. Define the scope of your family history
3.3 3. Choose the right plot and themes
3.4 4. Focus on background research
3.5 5. Organize your research
3.6 6. Choose where to begin
3.7 7. Include an index, source, and citations

Regardless of which genealogy service you ordered, our genealogists understand the importance of writing accurate genealogical reports. After all, inside every genealogist is a hidden detective. Compiling a report about your family history automatically takes your search to the next level. This is a much better alternative than presenting your family history in the form of a chart that may not be too easy to understand.

Each page of a genealogy report is solely dedicated to telling the life history of your loved ones – who they were, where they were born, whether they were married, where they worked, as well as providing other important information. We believe that the best family history is that which perfectly describes the lives of those who came before you.

A genealogy report will enable you to leave a family legacy behind. This is not only important for your existing family members but also an important one for those who will come in future.

The Importance of a Genealogy Report

A genealogy report is a powerful investigative tool. It is written concurrently with family history research or after every research session. As such, it becomes easy to track personal research and share vital information about your ancestors. Multiple reports can be written on your family, depending on how much research is done.

Family historians can spend a long period of time developing a family history. Sometimes, their best information may come from a report. This also makes it easy for future family members to conveniently pick up beneficial in information about their descendants.

Types of Genealogy Reports

Narrative Report – This report takes into account all parts of a family history. It is more expressive and biographical in nature and may not necessarily detail the research procedures that underscore it. Usually, these narratives include the story teller’s interpretations of events.
Letter Report – Used to answer simple genealogical queries, this report details brief request that a professional researcher makes to a librarian or archivist in order for them to provide documents that will essentially further the research.
Formal Report – Just like the title suggests, the formal report is written in a consciously-developed and professional manner. It represents expertise and reputation. A tone of familiarity or chattiness does not have any place here.
Software Program Report – This report contains a summary of relevant information in a number of data fields. This report contains excellent supplements such as charts and graphs that further elaborates the information.

Ultimate Steps for Writing Your Family’s Genealogy Report

Although writing your family history report may seem like a daunting task, our experts are well-versed in the process. Worry not! You are in the best hands. We are well-equipped to find all the information that you seek. Here are 7 steps to writing your family’s genealogy report, step by step:

1. Choose a format for your family history

We allow you to decide on the format that you envision for your research report. As discussed above, there are various formats to write a report. You may choose a narrative or factual report depending on the depth of information you are looking for.

2. Define the scope of your family history

It is important to decide whether you want information about a particular relative or everyone who is part of your family tree. Thus, you should choose a focus for your report. You may include everyone who comes from the same descendant line or write about all of your general descendants. However, these suggestions are easily adapted to suit your interest.

3. Choose the right plot and themes

The report should include the problems that your ancestors faced such as their immigration, survival during wartime and even how they rid of slavery. These are the best themes for any report, especially one that is written in a narrative nature.

4. Focus on background research

Forget about dull and dry family histories. Instead, focusing on background research to ensure that the reader has an eye-witness perspective of your family history. It is best to have an idea of how far back you intend to go into research. You may want to create a story of your immediate family or alternatively, you can choose to begin with your great, great grandparents and slowly incorporate your family members.

5. Organize your research

By creating a timeline or duration for every ancestor that is part of your report, it is easy to spot any mistakes that may be in your report. You can easily sort a number of photos or records for every ancestor, thereafter identify what should be included in the report. Once all the right decisions have been made, use the set timelines to create an outline for your report. It can be organized geographically, chronologically, by theme or character.

6. Choose where to begin

You may choose to begin the report from interesting parts of your family history. Maybe you may choose a duration in which they escaped war or an era when an interesting invention was developed. Interesting facts make your report more exciting. Remember, you do not have to start writing your family history from the beginning, you are free to choose any starting point.

7. Include an index, source, and citations

An index is an important feature of a genealogy report. It makes it easy to find the portions of the report for easy reading. As such, no level of confusion will be experienced.

Once the report is completed, you can confidently sit back, relax and read it with pride. Our professionals will certainly enable you to meet all of our research objectives and encourage you to make strides in the right direction. Regardless of the kind of format that your report is in, it is important to have a backup copy and save it in a flexible manner so that you could access it anytime-anywhere.

Thinking of writing a family history report? We’re here to help you get all the answers that you need – step by step.

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Genealogy Writing

Have you been trying to find a way to share your family history research with others, but don’t know where to start?

Genealogy and writing go hand-in-hand, and there are many ways to express and organize your family tree discoveries on paper!

This article will introduce and compare several different types of genealogy writing projects, provide some important tips, and include a list of helpful references to learn how to write a family history.

Why you should start writing now

There are numerous benefits to organizing your research findings through a writing project. Writing allows you to share your discoveries with family and friends. Other genealogists and enthusiasts may enjoy reading your work, or find value for their own brick wall research. Writing down your findings allows you to organize your thoughts and preserve your family history for future generations.

Writing is a natural part of the research process and is an excellent way to sharpen your skills. It can help you notice unresolved conflicts- for example, a birth or death date for an ancestor not matching between two particular records. Writing can help reveal holes in your research- for example, you may realize that you never located a marriage record for a particular couple. It also helps pinpoint unsourced facts- pieces of information that have no source attached to them, or you cannot recall where you located that information. Logging your sources and citing facts are critical components of genealogical writing and analysis.

When drawing a conclusion about an ancestor based on your research, writing down what you know can also reveal whether you have enough evidence to support that conclusion. Did you base your assumption on information found in one source, or by studying and comparing several sources? Genealogy writing projects can help hone your analysis skills and strengthen your research abilities.

Who is the audience?

When defining the “audience” for a writing project, consider who would be most likely to enjoy reading your work or find value in it. Many genealogists choose to write family history narratives to share with family members and friends, or to inform the larger genealogical community about their work. More experienced genealogists often create case studies or proof arguments for peer review, and to help teach others about their successful research methods. Writing options such as research logs and detailed reports are usually intended for the researcher’s use or for a more limited audience.

Make sure your writing is clear and understandable, so that the reader can follow your research process step-by-step. Your family narrative must has a linear flow so the reader can follow the story. Starting with an outline can help the writing process, and having a fellow family history peer (or two) proofread your work and offer feedback is highly encouraged.

It is important to use citations in any writing project. Citations help the writer keep track of their research sources, and they help the reader understand where and how the writer gathered their information. Citations lend credibility to your work. Creating citations and footnotes may seem like an overwhelming task, but once you learn the process for creating citations, they will soon become second nature. Family historians that are ready to create their own writing projects should obtain a copy of Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills. Evidence Explained is the go-to citation reference for professional genealogists, providing citation formats for dozens of different types of sources- from old, archived letters and manuscripts to websites and blogs. Another excellent guide is Mastering Genealogical Documentation by Tomas W. Jones. Dr. Jones breaks down the citation and documentation process in an easy-to-follow workbook that provides numerous skill-building exercises.

Types of genealogical writing projects

Next, we’ll compare several different types of family history writing projects, their uses, and how they can help your research.

First, a quick note about family tree software.

Although some family tree software programs can generate a report based on the information you input into your family tree, this type of automated data is not considered a written genealogical report. The software cannot compare evidence and draw informed conclusions; this “human” element of analysis is required to create a quality report. However, family tree software reports can be useful as a reference tool when compiling data and sources for a writing project.

Family histories and sketches

What are they – The most popular option for genealogical writing, family histories and sketches can be narrow, focusing on one ancestor’s life- or they can be broad, focusing on an entire branch of a family. Family histories can be very detailed, citing exact names and dates and tracking an ancestor’s appearance in records over a lifetime- or sketches can be a study of an ancestor or family during a particular event or period of time.

Audience – Family histories are intended to be shared with family members or other researchers. They can be published in genealogical publications and magazines as well. Family historians love to hear interesting stories about others’ ancestors- don’t be afraid to submit your family story to your local genealogical society’s journal or magazine!

When and Why to write them- Family histories are a great option for newer family historians as they are easier to write, and can be expanded as you discover new facts. Family histories can be one of the more creative forms of genealogical writing, as you can include all of the interesting facts about an ancestor’s life. The researcher’s methodology and analysis is not usually included in a family history- the writing should only focus on the family/ancestor. Family histories are a great way to preserve your ancestor’s story and dive into the world of genealogical writing!

Research logs

What are they- Research logs are incredibly helpful, as they help keep track of where you have researched and what you found. Logs help you avoid duplicating research and aid in planning future searches, whether online or at a repository. Research logs are not intended to be a finished, polished product; they are used as a reference and tracking tool.

Audience- Usually only for the researcher, unless you are doing research for someone else- in which case you should be logging your work to include as part of a research report.

When and Why to write them- It is a good habit to utilize a research log anytime you are conducting research. Logs can help you make the most of your research time, and they are also valuable as a quick reference when creating citations. Logs can be as simple as a spreadsheet listing the date, where you went, and the results you found- or you can find links to many various and customizable research logs and forms on the FamilySearch Wiki .

Research reports

What are they- The goal of a research report is to answer a specific genealogical research question. Finished reports provide a summary of the research conducted, a list of sources used, and recommendations for additional research. Research reports are most often used by professional genealogists as a finished product for their clients, but they can be helpful for the genealogist’s own research goals as well.

Audience – Reports are usually intended for a select person or group, and they should be a neat, finished product. Sources should be presented in a bibliography, and facts stated in the summary should be cited. Reports created just for personal use should also be neatly written, to help you easily reference past research and gather thoughts and ideas for future research.

When and Why to write them – Reports are always a good option when conducting research for others who just want a particular question answered- for example, when and where a particular couple married. Research reports “stick to the facts” and do not usually provide a lot of narrative or speculative details. For those that are wary of taking on a broader family history narrative, a research report that focuses on a particular fact of an ancestor’s life may be a great option.

Proof arguments & proof summaries

What are they- Proof arguments and proof summaries are written by genealogists to help support their conclusions about a specific ancestral fact.Proofs focus on the analysis and methodology aspect of genealogical research, not on the ancestor’s life narrative. Proofs help to demonstrate that the genealogist conducted thorough and sound research, which is part of the Genealogical Proof Standard- the process followed by professional genealogists to reach a sound research conclusion.

A proof summary is used when there is no conflicting evidence- for example, all sources found state that James White was born on 9 September 1760 in Groton, Connecticut. The genealogist will create a summary about the type of sources they located, the information provided within, and how they analyzed the evidence to conclude that this birth date is correct.

A proof argument is used when a genealogist finds conflicting evidence for a particular fact, and they must then “prove” that their conclusion is correct. For example, some sources state that James White was born 9 September 1760 in Groton Connecticut, but other sources state that he was born 29 September 1768. The “conflicting” evidence must be resolved- for example, was there a typo repeated in several sources? Was handwriting mis-read by a transcriber? Was some of the information secondhand or not reliable? The genealogist must provide a detailed analysis to defend their conclusion.

Audience – Proof summaries and arguments are an advanced form of genealogical writing, and require a thorough understanding of genealogical research and analysis. Proof arguments are often published in scholarly magazines such as the National Genealogical Society Quarterly so that other professionals can review and learn from the work. Writing proofs can be excellent practice for family historians so that they can better understand the analysis process and learn how to look more closely at genealogical clues.

When and Why to write them- Proof arguments are an excellent option when you stumble upon conflicting evidence and need to break down the information for further study. When all sources agree, proof summaries can help you move through the evidence step-by-step to ensure that no important information was missed. An excellent reference to learn about genealogical analysis is Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones. Similar to Mastering Genealogical Documentation, this workbook provides work study examples and plenty of writing exercises, to help the reader grasp the components of the Genealogical Proof Standard.

Case studies

What are they- Think of them as a family sketch and proof summary/argument combined. Case studies are narratives with a purpose- they demonstrate how a genealogist overcame a brick wall. Case studies are very helpful as a learning tool for others who may be stuck in a similar situation with their own research.

Audience- Case studies are intended to be teaching articles for others to read and learn. As such, they should be well polished, well analyzed, and include citations. It is recommended that other genealogists proofread your work to make sure that the article is easy to follow and the research process is accurate- you want to make sure that readers can retrace your steps.

When and why to write them- Case studies are often written by seasoned professionals to demonstrate how a particularly difficult case was solved, and are often published in genealogical magazines and journals. Genealogical speakers often use case studies in their lectures as well. One thing most genealogists enjoy is sharing their discoveries to help others!

About the author

Resources & tools to confidently research your genealogy

How to Create Your Genealogy Research Plan (& Why You Should!)

***Please note that this post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you decide to purchase a product/service. This does not cost you extra. Be assured I only recommend products/services that I use and think you would like too. Read my disclosure policy and privacy policy .

A genealogy research plan is crucial to finding your ancestors. Learn how to create a successful plan to grow your family tree.

I am a little embarrassed to admit this to you, my genea-friends.

Sometimes when I am researching my genealogy, I find myself wandering down rabbit trails.

Distracted.

Repeating previous research.

[Hopefully, you won’t judge me!]

When I find my research heading down rabbit trails, that indicates one thing:

I am researching without a plan, and that is NOT a good thing.

I’ve learned to stay off those “oh, so tempting” rabbit trails by creating a genealogy research plan BEFORE I began my research.

Why You Want to Create a Genealogy Research Plan

When I mention creating a research plan, your mind immediately went back to high school and those dreaded term papers and outlines. Let all that dread go, because a research plan will:

Help you stay focused (and off the rabbit trails!🐇).
Help you organize your genealogy research.
Help you be efficient with your research time.
Help ensure you do not miss potential clues in the research.
BONUS: Using a genealogy research will save you money!

Think of your genealogy research plan as a framework or strategy for your search.

What Should Go Into Your Genealogy Research Plan?

All genealogy research plans have a few common components in them. Let’s take a look at 4 of those elements.

Woman in print shirt looking at her family tree pedigree chart

1. Your Research Question

You can also think of this as your research goal.

What is it you want to learn from your research? Are you looking for evidence your ancestor in a time and/or place? Are you attempting to solve a family history mystery? The more specific your goal, the more focused your research will be.

If you are not clear on what you are researching, I guarantee you will end up going down rabbit trails of distraction and have little to show for your research efforts.

Here are two examples of research questions:

Who was the father of Emma D. [Thomas] Howard (b. 1858 in Moore County, NC)? or
Is the John White of Surry County, NC (in the 1820’s) the same John White from Caswell County, NC (early 1800’s)?

The more specific you make your research question, the better.

In the first example above, researching for the parents of Emma Thomas Howard would be too broad. Focusing on one parent (her father), a time frame and a location brings the project into focus and increases the chances of success.

Likewise, in the second example, broadly researching John White of North Carolina would quickly turn into a quagmire of multiple men with the same name in the state.

Again, the more specific the research question, the better!

Writing your research question (or goal) on your research plan will keep you focused.

Genealogy Pro Tip: Keep your research question or goal where you can easily see it as you research. I personally, write the goal on a sticky note to put beside me each time I sit down. Physically writing the primary research question before each research session, helps me get focused quicker.

Black and white 1930's photo of Joe and Rosa Talbot of Halifax County, VA.

2. Types of Records to Search

Now that you have your research question and know what you want to know, what type of records do you need to research?

You may need to first research what records are available for the time period and location where your ancestor lived.

In the first example above concerning Emma Thomas Howard, the records needing to be searched include Emma Howard’s death certificate (Lee County, NC), census records for 1860 and 1870, and North Carolina marriage records.

In the second example of John White, records to be searched could include census records 1790-1830, land records of Surry and Caswell Counties, court records of both counties and will/probate records.

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3. The Location of Records

Where are the records you need to research located? How are you going to access those records?

Are the records online? Do you need a subscription to a genealogy database such as Ancestry.com or FindMyPast to access them? Can you access subscription based genealogy record databases from your public library?

If the records are not online, in what repository are they located? Do you need to order the record on microfilm?

If you need to research on-site at a repository to research the needed records, schedule the visit on your calendar. (Don’t forget to take your research plan when you go!)

Knowing the location of the records you need to research helps to further organize your genealogy research time. You will be able to plan your online research from home and your on-site research to fit your time.

White courthouse with colorful fall trees in front

4.Further Clues to Follow Up

This next part of your genealogy research plan will be completed at the end of your research session. When you are done researching for the day, take a moment to clearly note where in your plan you stopped. Write down on the plan where you need to resume the next time you sit down to research.

As you research you will likely find interesting information and clues to other ancestors to follow up on. Resist doing that in the moment!

Make a note of this information for later research, but stay focused on your current research plan. Yes, I know how tempting it is to follow that clue at the expense of your current plan! Resist!

Your genealogy research plan is your guide and does not have to be overly complicated. You may find your answers quickly or you may still be left with your original question. That’s okay. You will will be clear on the records you have already searched and what information those records hold (or don’t hold).

Go back and amend your genealogy research plan and begin again.

How To Research Your Illegitimate Ancestors

The last of 31 genealogy tips? Boost your genealogy research with a fresh eye by going back to the beginning! See what a fresh look can do. #genealogy #ancestry #areyoumycousin #familyhistory

31 Days of “Out of the Box” Genealogy Tips – Go Back!

Did your find where your ancestor(s) is buried? Consider if you gathered all of the other important genealogy clues in your cemetery research.

Finding Genealogy Clues in the Family Cemetery

14 comments.

Jo Ann Andrews

i belong to a genealogy club in my home town. we are always looking for new avenues to try. i came upon your website, liked the info i discovered there. so will share what i have learned at the next meeting.

Thanks for sharing with us.

I am so glad you find the website helpful!Best of luck with your research.

Mary Lou Morris Gravatt

Hi Jo Ann, I laughed when you mentioned about going down a rabbit hole; I do that all the time and enjoy reading history from the area my ancestors lived which is where I have always lived. I have always lived within 20 miles of where my ancestors and my husband’s lived. Mary Lou Morris Gravatt

Mary Lou, how fortunate to live and research in the area of your ancestors! In some ways that makes your research easier. Of course, it can lead to a lot of rabbit trails! 🙂

Dallan Quass

Do you recommend using one of the various software tools like ResearchTies or Clooz (or even Evernote) to record your research log, or just using a paper form?

This is a great question. Personally, I use a combination of paper and Trello . I’ve also used Evernote in the past and really liked it, too. I have not tried the two you mentioned, but am interested in trying one or both out.

Gail Hedden

Is John White of Surry County the same as John White of Caswell County? Is that a real question for you because it is for me. Are you related to the White family of Surry County?

I am planning a research trip to Surry County in September and reading your blog I was very surprised to read this question. I would very much like to know the source of the question as it relates to you.

Gail Moore Hedden

Gail, Yes, I am definitely related to the White family of Surry County! Watch for an email from me later this weekend.

I was wondering if you know who the man is in the cover photo you have with this article on developing a research plan. He is standing on what looks like a bridge and he has a hat. He looks like my great grandfather. Thanks.

Lisa, that’s Percy Haley of Charlotte County, Va. The bridge is the Clarkton Bridge that crosses the Staunton River near Nathalie, VA. Let me know if you are a Haley descendant. I have more info on the Haleys.

Ruth Muller

Lisa: I plan to use the ideas that you posted concerning a Plan for researching in our Genealogy Group. I dealt with my memberships in Genealogical Societies by keeping the different families separate and organized. Otherwise, it would be a crazy time to locate and associate with those records when needed. Thank you.

Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide

Templates and Work Samples

Audiobook Supplements

Research Like a Pro Figures and Tables

Research Like a Pro Reference Notes

Research Project Document Template

Above is a link to a google document. You need a google account to use this. When you click the link, you will be asked if you want to copy the template to your own Google Drive. Click “make a copy.”

If you prefer to download the word document file instead, click here: Research Project docx file.

The research project document includes sections for:

Research Plan

-Summary of Known Facts

-Background Information

-Working Hypothesis

-Identified Sources

-Prioritized Research Strategy

Findings and Analysis – Research Report

Suggestions for Future Research

Results Summary

Timeline Analysis Spreadsheet and Sample

Above is a link to a google document. You need a google account to use this. When you click the link, you will be asked if you want to copy the template to your own Google Drive. “make a copy.”

If you prefer to download the excel file instead, click here: Timeline Analysis xlsx file.

Locality Guide Template

If you prefer to download the word document file instead, click here: Locality Guide Template docx file.

Citation Template

If you prefer to download the excel file instead, click here: Citation Template xlsx file.

Research Log Sample and Template

If you prefer to download the excel file instead, click here: Research Log xlsx file.

Work Samples

Is George W. Dillard the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston?

by Diana Elder, AG

Research Project for determining a relationship

Chronology and Evidence Analysis

Timeline Comparison and Evidence Analysis

Alabama Locality Guide

Research Log

Research Report

Moses W. Isenhour Confederate Service

by Nicole Dyer

Research project for discovering actions

Montgomery County, Arkansas Locality Guide

Determining the Father of Mary Ann (French) Bryan Atwood

Report and proof argument for proving a relationship

Mary Ann (French) Atwood Bryan Research Report

Determining the Father of Mary Ann (French) Bryan Atwood: Proof Argument

Isenhour Brothers Research Project

Isenhour Brothers Chronology and Evidence Analysis

Isenhour Brothers Locality Guide (Various locations)

Isenhour Brothers Research Plan

Isenhour Brothers Research Log

Isenhour Brothers Report

Is William Keaton the father of Lucinda (Keaton) Welch?

Research project for determining a relationship

Lucinda Keaton Timeline Analysis

William Keaton Timeline Analysis

William Keaton Chronology

Pendleton District, South Carolina Locality Guide

South Carolina Locality Guide

William Keaton Research Plan

William Keaton Research Log

William Keaton Estate Papers Transcription

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Genealogy Research Plan Template: the Evernote Research Plan with Analysis template

Grease your genealogy research wheels with a plan. If you're tackling a new research problem, this Evernote form, the "Developing Genealogical Research Plan with Analysis," might be just right for you.

In my previous post " Evernote for Occasional Genealogists ," I gave you a brief overview of some of the ideas for genealogical "everything else" you could keep in Evernote.

Today's freebie doesn't fall into an "everything else" category. It's part of the core cycle of genealogy: plan, research, report, repeat. This is a genealogy research planning form that includes analysis.

Create a genealogy research plan with this Evernote template. Learn to do initial analysis of the time and place of your genealogical problem. | The Occasional Genealogist

A Form for Your Dusty Projects

This is a pretty special research planning form. I designed it with Occasional Genealogists (Occasional Genealogists) in mind. It's based on a form I use for my client work, actually.

The motivation behind this form is dusting off old genealogy projects (or starting new ones). If you have a particular project you're pretty familiar with, you may not need this form, especially if you've been diligent with good habits: good note taking, keeping a log, planning, and reporting.

If you are completely unfamiliar with analyzing your research problem, you may want to try out this template, regardless of the quality of your past research skills. You may discover you have been doing problem analysis and didn't realize it (yeah for you!). Otherwise, you can develop a new skill.

I try to keep good notes/logs/plans/memos as best I can "despite the interruptions." That's great for active projects, but I have many projects I haven't touched in years. Some haven't been worked on since before I even knew I needed good habits. I also have projects I inherited. All in all, I have more projects with bad notes and nothing else.

I tried creating documents I should have created at the time I researched, in particular, reports. This is no fun and hard to do if I don't remember what I was thinking when I was doing the research (and impossible if the research is from a relative).

Instead, I've realized I should treat these dusty projects like client projects. The best part is, I don't have to pay someone or be embarrassed by the state of my citations (or lack thereof). Remember I said this form is based on one I use for client work? Now you understand why.

Start With a Question

When I decide whether to take a project from a potential client, I have to know what their question is. You need a research question, too. Your research, and, therefore, your research planning, needs to be directed by a specific goal or research question. It's a whole post to explain "specific" but someone else has taken care of that for me. This is a great, succinct post about asking a specific research question .

Initial Analysis

If you can't quite get your question to be actionably-specific, you need to be doing analysis of your problem. If I take on a client project where I don't know the very first question I have to answer (i.e. the exact records I need to look at FIRST), I have to analyze the project.

Initial analysis often involves some research but it's usually not the same kind of research we think of doing. It's more likely you'll be researching places instead of people. You may also be researching topics.

As an example, today I discovered a client had an ancestor that was a Black Hawk War veteran from a certain state. The initial analysis I need to do to create a plan involves learning when the Black Hawk War occurred, what records exist, and where those records are. This research will lead to related topics but "when, what, and where" are the initial analysis questions.

In general problems, my initial analysis often involves researching county creation dates, if a county is burned, and what records were lost. I personally know off the top of my head what broad categories of records exist for general genealogy research. If you are new to genealogy research, you may also need to determine what records exist, not just what is lost.

Any specific topic you are NOT an expert on (and I mean specific topics within genealogy, not an expert on "genealogy"), initial analysis involves determining what records exist.

Performing a formal analysis, writing down your results and ideas, will help you get even more out of your existing information. As a beginner, a formal analysis will help make sure you are analyzing your data.

Initial Analysis vs. "Correlation and Analysis"

As you get into more advanced genealogy, you'll hear a lot about "correlation and analysis." Initial analysis is the same skill in general. As you'd guess, initial analysis is done at the start of a project. It isn't as in-depth. You can think of it like gathering data for an overview if the word "analysis" seems intimidating.

Other types of analysis happen during and after research. The written results of that analysis may play a part in your initial analysis for your next plan.

The Template

You can get a copy of the template (and all my Evernote Templates) by signing up for my free course "Should You Organize Your Genealogy with Evernote?"

Just one warning, first.

I highly caution you against keeping the "template" in the same folder where you want your filled out plans. It is too easy to forget to make a copy. At best, you'll waste time deleting info to create an empty template. At worst, you will reverse the mistake and permanently delete a plan you needed. Why don't you go create a template folder now, I'll wait... Now let's get back to the good stuff.

Let's go over the parts of the "Developing Genealogical Research Plan with Analysis" template for Evernote. (screenshots are from Evernote for Windows)

Feel free to delete out the sections you don't use, so your plan is easy to skim. Also, text in brackets ([]) is explanatory or an example, delete it from your working plans.

1. "Filing" Information (optional depending on how you use Evernote)

I've given you a place to put a file name or surname. You may use Evernote in a way that this is superfluous.

Next you can specify a project name if you have one. If you want this to match paper files that aren't broken up by surname, you can put the file name and surname in these two sections in whichever order works for you.

If you will print this form, make sure you have organizational information you will need. You have the option of printing with the Evernote notebooks and tags included so once again, this is optional depending on how you use Evernote.

2. Your Research Question (mandatory)

You need to enter your specific research question. This is NOT optional. I've included the link to the post I linked above in case you don't do this often enough to remember how specific you need to be.

If you want, you can list a less specific overall goal in the next section. When I use a form like this for client work, sometimes it's important I remember what the "big picture" is. You may later wonder why you asked this specific question if you don't add a broader goal. This is a common Occasional Genealogist problem.

3. Location Information

The two location fields can be helpful as you start to make your first pass at planning. This is a "developing" plan because it's not meant to capture the specifics like the " Plan to Notes Form " I provided for an earlier Freebie Friday.

As an Occasional Genealogist, you may not get to that level of specificity for a while or may even need to wait until you know where you will be researching. Listing the known locations can help you update this plan quickly (or identify where to take a research trip).

The "Locations Currently Known" is numbered so you can use those numbers in "Notes on Locations". You could list the locations with notes under them, but I like being able to see my specific question and the relevant locations at a glance.

When I'm planning at this "developing" stage, I usually only refer to The Handybook for Genealogists or another book in my home library for the "Notes on Locations" section. Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources is a similar book and has been digitized as part of Ancestry.com's Wiki. You can also use the FamilySearch Research Wiki . This section is just meant to be quick notes, not a research project in itself.

4. Analysis

Next is the "Project Analysis" section. This is inspired by the advice in Chapter 14 of Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians . This is a must for professional's bookshelves but also informative for amateur genealogists. It's expensive for a hobbyist to buy (much of it is just for professionals, as in business owners, and parts are out of date).

See if your local library has a copy. Much of the advice that applies to any genealogist is timeless, and if you can afford to buy a copy, it's well worth owning so you can review it whenever you need to.

Another good option that is normally not used by hobbyists is the old BCG manual, The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual (Millennium Edition). This book is very affordable and contains examples of reports and memos (the new manual, Genealogy Standards , does not contain the examples). You may also be able to find it at your local library but as an Occasional Genealogist, you are more likely to want to refer to the samples again at a later date.

But back to the Evernote planning form. I've included some sample ideas of what belongs in each section. These don't tie into a hypothetical question so don't read into it too much. This is just to give you ideas about what kind of analysis you need to do before getting too in-depth planning.

If you are more experienced, you may not need these suggestions. If you're just starting out, you may need to learn more. Delete the examples from your working plan but it's up to you if you want to leave them in the template. You may also want to re-title each section or add a description if that helps you.

5. More Ideas

This final section of the form is a catch-all. Obviously, every project is different.

First is a section for any additional text that didn't go in the areas above. Remember, this form is meant to be an initial approach to your project. You can adapt it to a specific plan, for a specific research trip, if you want. This "additional" section is a good place to create more sections if that is what you want to do.

After the "additional" section, there are five ideas for tools you might want to use when developing a plan and doing an analysis of the problem. I have used all of these on a single project. Usually, when you're starting a project, you'll only use a few. though.

If your ancestor didn't own land, you won't be recording their purchases ("In") and sales ("Out") of land. If they are urban dwellers, you may routinely use city directories and want to include a tool for using those. Add and adapt the tools to your project. Remember, you can link Evernote notes or include links to other sources.

A Form for Occasional Genealogists

I've already said I designed this form for Occasional Genealogists. The idea is you can spend just a little time on this and then come back later. Enter the information you can, make notes of what you need to do and then come back later with answers or just to add more notes.

You should be able to quickly review this form each time you want to add to it without having to drag out all the notes it refers to.

You should be able to quickly review this form each time you want to add to it without having to drag out all the notes it refers to.

There's some flexibility in how you want to use this since it is electronic. You might convert this to a summary of your on-going research project with links to specific plans, notes, logs, documents, etc.

Remember, as-is, this isn't a specific plan, it helps you begin (develop) a plan. You'll need to add some customizations if you do want to use this as a plan with specific sources or for a specific repository.

Customize it for You

This form is as specific as I felt it could be while being generic enough for any Occasional Genealogist. One of the great things about Evernote is how easy it is for you to customize this "template" to your needs.

You may be an Occasional Genealogist that has trouble finding time to use the Internet for genealogy. You may have time to research online, but your project needs more sources. Maybe you just need the motivation to make a research trip (finish a plan!) or maybe your next research trip will be when your five-year-old goes to college.

Customize the template so it will be easy for you to use and then customize for each research question.

Finally, remember, the secret for every Occasional Genealogist is not just keeping it, but finding it. That means write it down and be able to put your hands on it when you need it. Evernote is a great way to find genealogy documents you haven't had time to look at in a long time.

Try using this form to dust off some of your projects and get them ready for the kind of research time you have.

How to Take Genealogy Notes

How to Create a Reverse Family Tree

ESSENTIAL Skill: Why You Need to Take Genealogy Notes

What is Reverse Genealogy?

Free Charts and Templates

Learning to use a Pedigree Chart and a Family Group Sheet is one of the first steps in collecting and organizing your family history.

NGS offers two versions of a Pedigree Chart (sometimes called an Ancestor Chart) and one version of the Family Group Sheet. All of our free charts here are “fillable.” That means you can

download the PDF,
type your family information right into the chart,
save it to your computer, and
update it at any time.

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Sample Reports

Before you choose whether or not you would like to purchase a genealogy research report, we recommend reading one of our sample research reports so you will know what to expect.

Our family history reports include:

Original documents where available
A family tree chart.
Recommended places of interest with special references to your Irish ancestral heritage.
Recommended reading material with special references to your Irish ancestral heritage.
Further information, where possible, regarding your Irish ancestors.
A history on your ancestor’s parish or county of origin.

Take the time to view one of our sample reports today and see what your family history report may look like.

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COMMENTS

How to Write a Genealogy Research Report
1. Identify your focus. Whether the report is for your own research or someone else's, the first step is to note your name, the date, and what the subject is. To begin, open a blank document and type in the following lines: For the title, choose something more specific than, say, "Baker Family Research.".
Genealogical Work Samples
Examples of genealogical work prepared by board-certified genealogists and published by peer-reviewed journals. Each work sample appears with the permission of the author, is copyrighted by the author, and may not be further reproduced elsewhere without the written consent of the author. The web page covers research reports, case studies, and family histories.
Research Templates
Research Plan Template. A research plan provides a roadmap for your genealogical research. This easy-to-use template takes you through the process of forming a good research question, identifying which records help you answer the question, clarifying record availability for your time period and location, and listing specific repositories where the records may be found.
Doing a Genealogy Research Project from Start to Finish
If you want to see an idea for a research project document, Diana has created a template for the next Research Like a Pro Study Group that you can download below. Included are sections for the basic elements of a genealogy research project: objective, summary of known facts, background information, working hypothesis, identified sources to ...
How to Write a Professional Genealogy Research Report
Another form of genealogical writing is the research report. It is the report that is the focus of this blog article. Professional genealogists and hobbyists alike compose research reports to fulfill a critical function of our work. At its core, the purpose of a research report is to document and communicate what was done to meet the research ...
Writing a Genealogy Research Report
A template for report writing that will help the writer meet these standards was one of the things included in the Research Like a Pro study group. The sections of the report template include headings for the Objective, Limitations, Results Summary, Background Information, Findings and Analysis, Conclusions, and Suggestions for Future Research.
Genealogy Research Forms • FamilySearch
Free Genealogy Forms from the Baileys. 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 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its main feature is that it is simple.
Research Report Writing
Report Writing. An experienced genealogist is expected to be proficient in the art of writing a proper genealogical research report. Our clients and peers expect professionalism. However, a proper genealogical report is also an important part of the work done by a family historian who wishes his work to be as professional as possible.
The Best Way to Do Genealogy Research : Family History Month #3
The skeleton of the genealogical research process is plan - research (i.e. take notes) - report - repeat. This template just simplified all of that into one template. RELATED: I previously wrote about a Research Plan template with analysis. Read that post, here. There are other important tasks involved in quality genealogical research.
Welcome to NGS's Free Genealogy Resources
NGS's Free Genealogy Resources include charts, templates, quick tips, and tutorials, and provide information on the US Census and the NGS Book Loan Collection. With valuable information for beginners to advanced family history researchers, NGS Free Resources teaches you how to build a family tree, how to write a query, research guidelines, and much more.
Basic Genealogical Research Plans
Suggested Steps in Research Planning. Research plans can be lengthy and more complex when they involve multiple parts or complicated problems. 1. Study the preliminary information that accompanies the genealogical request, question or problem you have been given. Evaluate the types of sources that provided the information.
Genealogy Research Report
The report is an account of the research conducted, written for the purpose of determining facts and developing research conclusions. Depending on the project, Holly can produce reports that provide either summarized or detailed research results. A summary report includes. The research objective/goal. A description of the documentation you ...
Writing Your Family's Genealogy Report (Step By Step)
3 Ultimate Steps for Writing Your Family's Genealogy Report. 3.1 1. Choose a format for your family history. 3.2 2. Define the scope of your family history. 3.3 3. Choose the right plot and themes. 3.4 4. Focus on background research.
5 Tips for Writing a Good Genealogy Report
Use transition sentences and pay attention to the flow of the report. Transition sentences help to link together different ideas and help the reader follow your logic. Try reading your report out loud to see if the paragraphs fit together in a way that makes sense and is enjoyable to read or listen to. Trying to jump between multiple ideas too ...
Genealogy Writing
Writing allows you to share your discoveries with family and friends. Other genealogists and enthusiasts may enjoy reading your work, or find value for their own brick wall research. Writing down your findings allows you to organize your thoughts and preserve your family history for future generations. Writing is a natural part of the research ...
How To Create Your Genealogy Research Plan
Genealogy Pro Tip: Keep your research question or goal where you can easily see it as you research. I personally, write the goal on a sticky note to put beside me each time I sit down. Physically writing the primary research question before each research session, helps me get focused quicker. 2.
Research Like a Pro
Research Like a Pro Reference Notes. Templates. Research Project Document Template. Above is a link to a google document. You need a google account to use this. When you click the link, you will be asked if you want to copy the template to your own Google Drive. Click "make a copy."
How to Create a Genealogy Research Notes Template in MS Word
Genealogy Resea... In this episode I'll show you how to create a Research Notes Template that you can use over and over again for your family history research.
Genealogy Research Plan Template: the Evernote Research Plan with
See my disclosures page for details. 5:37 PM. Genealogy Research Plan Template: the Evernote Research Plan with Analysis template. Grease your genealogy research wheels with a plan. If you're tackling a new research problem, this Evernote form, the "Developing Genealogical Research Plan with Analysis," might be just right for you. WAIT!
Free Charts and Templates
Free Charts and Templates. Learning to use a Pedigree Chart and a Family Group Sheet is one of the first steps in collecting and organizing your family history. NGS offers two versions of a Pedigree Chart (sometimes called an Ancestor Chart) and one version of the Family Group Sheet. All of our free charts here are "fillable.". That means ...
Sample Genealogy Reports
Before choosing to purchase a genealogy research report, read our sample reports. Sample Genealogy Reports from Oak Ancestry. Before choosing to purchase a genealogy research report, read our sample reports. ... Take the time to view one of our sample reports today and see what your family history report may look like. If you have any comments ...

How to Write a Genealogy Research Report

Get Your Free Genealogy Forms

The Benefits of Writing a Genealogy Research Report

Embrace a Write-As-You-Go Approach

Six Steps to Writing Your Research Report

2. Show what you know.

3. List your resources.

4. Report your findings.

5. Sum it up.

6. Plan for the future.

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Alice Childs, AG®

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Research Plan

Research Report

Writing Your Family’s Genealogy Report (Step By Step)

The Importance of a Genealogy Report

Types of Genealogy Reports

Ultimate Steps for Writing Your Family’s Genealogy Report

1. Choose a format for your family history

2. Define the scope of your family history

3. Choose the right plot and themes

4. Focus on background research

5. Organize your research

6. Choose where to begin

7. Include an index, source, and citations

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1. Your Research Question