Do you have a genealogy research plan?

We all know that a serious academic approach to genealogy is more than just finding one record, clicking on shaky-leaf hints or simply picking off the low lying genealogical fruit available to us.

A research plan is usually in order when we want to get down to business on that certain familiar subject, our ancestor’s lives, but many people struggle with formulating a good plan, and ultimately feel as though they didn't accomplish what they were hoping for.

If we hope to accomplish something, we first need to define what it is that we want to I accomplish.  I know that sounds simple, but we really need to focus on what the problem is we want to solve to help us set the scope of our plan.  Is the defined problem and scope too large?  Will it overwhelm us before we even get going?  These are legitimate questions we need to address.  We constantly hear that a small, tightly focused goal is easily accomplished and this very well may be where you need to start.  A goal of researching one direct ancestor in all record groups helps you keep the focus on that one person, and keeps you tuned in to the particulars of their life and ultimately the family that surrounded them.  As you come across collateral family members, remember to jot down the information on those people too.  Their information may lead to conclusions about the subject of your research, and the collateral people may become the focus of a future research plan.  Just remember, don’t get distracted by the shiny objects (people) you’re surely bound to come across. Focus!

Are you familiar with the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) from the Board of Certified Genealogists?  If not, that’s a great foundation upon which to build your research plan once you've decided what your focused goal should be.  In summary there are five key components of the GPS, 1) do a reasonably exhaustive search, 2) compile complete and accurate citations of your sources, 3) analyze and correlate all of the information you've collected, 4) resolve any conflicting evidence, and 5) produce a soundly reasoned and coherently written conclusion of your findings.

The GPS is a necessary component to any competent research plan.  If you follow the steps outlined, you’ll undoubtedly be doing your due diligence, and removing obstacles before they actually become roadblocks.  This GPS really does keep you on track and headed in the right direction!

Do you have a checklist?  If you don’t think you need one, then I applaud you for your brainpower.  Do I have that kind of brainpower?  Not so much.  I would recommend making a checklist that helps you remember what questions to ask yourself as you are going through the GPS steps.  Some sample questions I need to be reminded of are:

· What types of records exist?

· Why were those records created?
· Were there laws that governed the creation of this record?

· Who created the record?

· Who was the informant on the record?

· Did the informant have motive for the answers they provided?

· Is the record an original or transcription/translation?

· Is the record legible or hard to decipher?

· Is the record from a primary, secondary or indeterminate source?

· Does the record clearly state the fact or does it infer the fact?

· How did you obtain the record?

· What is the provenance of the record?

· Is the record accurately and completely cited in your notes?

· Did you obtain the original record, hard copy or digital image of the record (all necessary pages)?

Seeking to answer these questions will allow you to gather a sufficient amount of evidence with which you can proceed through the final steps of the GPS, where you are called upon to analyze and correlate the records, resolve any conflicts and write a conclusion.

You are the sleuth of your own roots.  Being prepared with a focused goal and a sound GPS plan will help you accomplish those things you never thought you were capable of.

Sources... are they missing?

After viewing many blogs which discuss, the difference between being an Evidence-Based genealogist or a Conclusion-Based genealogist, I was prompted to go back and examine the software and website presentation that I'm currently using. In Family Tree Maker 2012 (FTM2012), I always input all variations of a "fact element" and attach the source materials to that element. For instance my grandfather has 14 sources attached to his "name fact" in my FTM2012 database. As I find variations of his name, I record each variation, and attach the source to support that variation, and the program allows me to pick a "preferred" fact. This is useful because it helps me keep track of and sort out where all of these variations came from, and I can even "rate" the source materials based on a 4-star rating built into the software. I consider this valuable information as I work up my conclusions on the facts that surround my ancestor's life. While it is commonly known that FTM2012 (and now FTM2014) syncs with your tree resident on the Ancestry.com website, what I hadn't really taken note of is that the website is really a "Conclusion" presentation of my data, if the viewer only sees the data on the OVERVIEW tab.

In my case, my grandfather only has one source attached to the Birth fact marked as "Preferred" in my FTM2012 database.  When FTM2012/14 is synced with the Ancestry member tree, the person's OVERVIEW tab on the member tree profile will only display the preferred fact and source(s) attached.  The viewer must go deeper into the profile and click on the FACTS AND SOURCES tab to fully view all of the source citations linked to any fact with alternate variations.  At first glance the novice website user may judge the sourcing to be sparse when so few sources are cited on the OVERVIEW page.  If you visit Ancestry.com's member trees looking for your family, please be sure to review the sources listed in the FACTS AND SOURCES tab to ensure you are viewing the complete source citations for that individual.