Research Logs: Your Key to Success!
by Naomi D. Newbold, B.A.
Have you ever felt as if you are going around in circles in your research, not really accomplishing anything? Or, have you been stuck against a brick wall – feeling hopeless that it will never be solved? What about a time when you have looked through a record and had the strangest feeling you’ve been there before? Many researchers, no matter the skill level, have faced these and other similar problems at one point or another and fail to realize the root cause of the problem – they didn’t keep a research log!
Research logs are, sadly, one of the most underused and misunderstood tools in genealogy, and yet one of the most important tools. In genealogical terms, a research log is defined as “a chart or method of tracking research, including the research you have already acquired and that which you intend to obtain.”[1] The most successful genealogists use research logs just like a road map is used for a road trip. Travelers will use road maps to plan the path they will take, keep track of where they have been, organize the trip, and help them make decisions of where to go next, especially if they get lost. Research logs do the exact same thing for genealogists. Let’s break it down:
1. Planning Your Path - Like a road map, the first use of a research log is to map out what you intend to do. Before you head to a library or a website to research, you can use the research log to create your “plan of attack” for finding your ancestors. Record the source information for the records you intend to search in the log, along with ideas of other possible records.
2. Keeping Track – Travelers use road maps to keep track of where they have been. This prevents them from getting lost or returning to dead end roads. Research logs do the same for genealogists. By keeping a thorough research log of all positive and negative results, genealogists are prevented from repeating searches they may have done months ago, and keep the genealogist from getting “lost” in the research. Research logs also help you pick up on research that you may not have touched for a while.
3. Organizing – Research logs are great tools for organizing your research. They can organize the efforts made on different family members, jurisdictions searched, and documents found. Many times, they can act as an index of your documents.
4. Making Decisions – One of the most important aspects of research logs is they help you make decisions about where to go next in your research. Just as a road map helps travelers know which path to take when they come to a fork in the road, research logs help you keep track of where you have been in order to better determine where to look next to find your ancestor.
Basics of a Research Log
There are many different types and styles of research logs floating around in the genealogical world; however, there are some basic elements that a research log should have. The following are basics that should be found in most research logs:
Figure 1: Example of a Research Log
Where Do I Get A Research Log?
There are three different ways to obtain a research log for your research: create your own, order/pick-up/download pre-made forms, and using electronic databases.
1. Create Your Own – Research logs are simple enough to create. You can use Microsoft Word, an Excel Spreadsheet, OneNote, Google Docs, or any other program that allows you to create. By making your own research log you will never run out, nor will it change unless you change it.
2. Pre-printed/made forms – Many genealogical companies have pre-printed forms that you can order, pick up at their store, or download from online. For example, you can order a 100 sheet package at store.lds.org. Other resources for premade forms:
a. FamilySearch Wiki, http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Research_Logs
b. BYU Family History Library https://sites.lib.byu.edu/familyhistory/print-forms-research-helps/
c. Genealogy Research Log Form (Google Docs) by Thomas MacEntee, https://drive.google.com/templates?view=public&authorId=14862414289557021741&urp=https://www.google.com/&pli=1#
d. Family Tree Magazine, http://www.familytreemagazine.com/info/researchforms
e. Ancestors, http://www.byub.org/ancestors/charts/
f. Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com/download/charts#researchcal?cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0001029688&o_lid=0001029688&o_sch=Affiliate+External
g. Family Passages genealogy, http://www.familypassages.com/tools.html
h. Family Tree Genealogy Book Store, http://genealogy.theshoppe.com/bk_freebies.htm
i. Mid-Continent Public Library, http://www.mymcpl.org/_uploaded_resources/MGC-researchlog.pdf
3. Electronic databases – There are many electronic forms of research logs available for use. Programs such as RootsMagic, have electronic databases that you can store your research efforts in. There may be fees for using these databases.
a. Research Ties, http://researchties.com/
b. Roots Magic, www.rootsmagic.com
c. Legacy Family Tree, http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/
d. Family Tree Maker, http://www.familytreemaker.com/
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[1] Rhonda R. McClure, “How Genealogy Works,” 24 April 2007, HowStuffWorks.com (http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/genealogy/genealogy9.htm: accessed 18 February 2014).