Building Research On A Solid Foundation

The foundation of professional genealogy is based on best research practices that produce reliable findings. Just as a house should be built on a solid foundation, genealogy research should begin with a solid foundation. Otherwise, how reliable can our research findings be? Before creating a research plan, I work through the following process. While this information is likely repetitive for most researchers, I found it helpful in the beginning of my genealogy journey to create a workflow chart, ensuring that the process would become a habit.

• Establish a research objective to keep research focused and efficient.

• Review prior research that has been conducted on a subject. Ask yourself - have quality sources been used? Is the information primary, secondary, or indeterminable? Has the research objective been met?

  If not –

• Create a timeline with the sources and evidence already gathered for a subject. Determine any research gaps that need to be addressed.

• Establish historical and legal context – did boundary changes affect your subject? Was your subject of age to marry when he/she married? Was your subject of age to serve in the military? Did your subject own or sell land? By no means is this list exhaustive.

• Determine if the subject lived or had dealings in burned counties, which is often the case with genealogical research in the United States. If so, note this, as it will determine where to search for records.

Create your research plan based on information you gain from utilizing this process.

Working through this process to create a research plan, I am confident that my plan will produce results that are reliable.