You Don't Need Genealogy Research Logs - Do This Instead 

For more tips on becoming a better genealogist, check out this playlist. ru-vid.com/group/PLcVx-GSCjcdma7HnkMOEt3QiJgX8W-1BG

I never used them even at the beginning because there was new stuff coming on line all the time. My knowledge increased over time. Who or how I looked for someone 10 years ago is not how I look today. AND the data base somewhere 10 years ago might not have had "everything" it has now. Nope. Never used them. Never will. I would rather visit the same place again. Maybe I missed something but I'm older and smarter now and I probably would spot information I need even if it's not what I went there looking for.

I totally agree, and I think all your research, whether you find anything or not, should be added directly to your genealogy software sources and repositories, skipping the research log step completely.

It's always great to hear about other options. I actually use Windows Notepad. Then I copy & paste to my Legacy Family Tree notes. I realize this creates the situation you are saying Not to do. I started doing this 18 years ago when I was undecided about my methodology. Now, I still do it so I can search these Research Journals that I have eventually merged into 'chapters by the year' they were created. TY Devon.

Thank you for saying this! I’ve been guiltily avoiding research logs but I’ll stop feeling guilty. Question: Why haven’t the software vendors built the research log process into the data recording process? It makes no sense to have them separate. All research and analysis should be in one place.

I am an avoider. I have watched videos and read blogs and gone to workshops where genealogists stress how important it is to keep a research log, but it has seemed like a lot of extra work to me. I also keep my info in my online tree on Ancestry and sync it with my desktop Family Tree Maker. I could certainly be more organized but I don't want to spend a lot of time duplicating information that I have already entered once. I agree with you.

I have moved on from laptops, I use an iPad Pro with Notability, I have an “if/then”flow chart that I developed. It’s a programming statement that uses James Tanners 12 rules and leads me thru all search engines and databases. It includes a 5-7 miles radius of the verified last known place of occupation or family event. I don’t have to remember everything about what to search and where. I just follow my if/then flow chart on every person until I get the sources I need and then move to the next person I want to search. If I haven’t found the information I want on that person I just flag where I left off, when I come back to it I know where to start. Simple, I have my tree in all of the search engines and search all hints and leads.

I must agree with you Devon. Through the years I have tried to create a research log because it was the thing to do. Never had it when I needed it. I would forget to update, etc. Do not like them.

Thank you for saying this. When I started doing genealogy back in the 1980s. It was definitely necessary to have a research log. These days not so much.

When I started doing my genealogy, I was blessed that it was always with a family tree software program. At first, I was definitely one of those "chase the shaky leaf" kind of researcher. But, as I continued in climbing my tree, I also started learning more about the proper way to do it. My first "new tip" I incorporated was Crista Cowan's "transcribe every record". My software had a spot for me to do this, so that was where my transcription went. Happily I climbed along, being more "thorough" in my research, but I continued seeking to learn the correct way to do it. That is when I stumbled onto the fact that we "need" to do research logs & research notes for every ancestor, every time we sat down to research. Okay, time to add this to my repertoire of things to do. By this point, I had figured out that my tree had some mighty big errors. I planned to go over everything to make sure it was all correct and sourced accurately. Plus, who knew if there were additional sources now available. So I start out on my "go-over" and this time I planned to do the research log/notes as I went along. Yeah. That did not go over well. I made it to my grandparents and lost my fire. I was so bogged down in writing down all this information in multiple different locations, that I lost ALL of my enthusiasm for researching my tree. This wasn't good, as I am the only one in my family (including the children of all of my parents first cousins) who is even remotely interested in it. After a couple of years of barely giving it a glance, I am once again ready to start working on my tree again. Due to consistent issues with my former family tree software, I am making the jump to RM and am excited to put all the tools it has to work in being my research log & notes. Thank you for doing this video! Even 3 years after posting date, it is still relevant and helpful! I for one can't wait to get back to climbing my family tree doing my "research log & notes" my way!!

I don't think it matters which technology we use to capture the information from the research we've done. As long as we can use the info in a research plan or in a report to a client. I think you've made a good point. I also use RootsMagic and I'm going to try your way of making a research report.

I have not started a Research Log as of yet....so I am going to give your suggestions a try👍because to me that makes more sense to do it in software program. 🧬✍👩‍💻📚📝🤞

Thank you! I agree 100%

I've started using them and I have started appreciating the value of having a record of which sources produced no results when I am at a library going through books. I like have my sources well documented. That said, they are tedious.

I agree! I'm trying to embed most of my information in data and comments in Ancestry, including thoughts about what else needs to be done. I'm sure that no one in my immediate family will take over my research when I'm gone (I'm 66), so I want it where SOMEONE can find it.

Research logs...ERRRRGGGGG!!! I'm so glad that my Legacy has been good at keeping track this stuff for me.

Typically avoid. However when I have a tough nut to crack, I'll put together a spreadsheet for correlating data points to help me figure where the holes are and help me focus on where to search. I typically put my successes in notes online or in my software. I do have to say, however, that I have had my bacon saved by recording all my correspondence (successful or not) from decades ago. (been trying to solve a case off and on for 3.5 decades. This is stuff that came up in interviews that didn't make sense then but does now.

I've mainly focused on negative logging - if I'm looking for the needle in the haystack, identifying which records I looked at that didn't match. It's helped when (gasp) people lied about their age or said they were from a given city with 30 different churches.

I don't use a research log either. I now feel totally justified :) However, I am terrible at keeping up with negative search results. I also use RootsMagic. Where do you put the negative search results into RootsMagic? Do you just put them in the notes field for the person?

I know that some people like to record where they looked so they don't repeat searches, BUT some places we search add new info/update records, so you might have to search there again. And you might have learned something new in between and realize you do have to go back and do a new search of a place you've been before... I can't say I detest, I'm just not that good on that end of my researching to use them--even to use them the way YOU've shown here, which would be *something* better than what I'm doing..which is nothing even close to this. Sad face for me.

I struggle with this. I like to make a list of ToDos on paper. I document everything I find on Ancestry and then sync frequently with Family Tree Maker. I was keeping a log with WORD but just recently am experimenting with Trello. Mostly this is for keeping track of snail mail/email contacts and replies.

How do you track research questions that become a brick wall for a while? Or what sort of tickler do you have or alert system to remind you to return to look at your brick wall? I appreciated your anecdote about working for at DFW, tracking vehicles. I would love to create my own Microsoft Access database to track my research than keep paper records and your story reminded me of when I worked in corporate America and used databases like that. So simple. I have yet to find a family history software that I find simple.

Which Genealogy Software Program would others recommend? My immediate thought is to use Root Magic because it is the one I recall my dad using when he did his work, however I would prefer one that I was able to use on my laptop and my mobile, if that is something that exists. TIA

When visiting archives, I try to make best use of my time by having a to-do list of things I want to search and why. That list gets annotated with results, though the relevant information, with the citations, goes straight into the tree held on the laptop. I tend to record the likes of microfilm numbers in there. The list can then be reused for the next visit to that archive, and I know what I've already seen. Reasoning, especially for negative results, get recorded with the rest of the details about a person, so I have comments like "This is not the Joseph baptised in 1784; he died in 1798." So I have a combination approach, which I think works well.

Hello Devon, I'm a channel subscriber, question ? I was skimming thru videos and came across one that had a list of 10 research questions that you should have for every individual and I can't find that video again. I have ADHD so my genealogy goes in fits 3-6 months then I stop for a couple of months, then restart. "Everytime I restart I tried to get better by learning more about the process. It's been a shotgun effective since the 80's when I started. So can you remember your video that listed the 10 question?

Really enjoyed the video content. I'm fairly new to Geneaology and it's research and like most things I do, I want to do it right. Having read alot of articles, books, etc. I had started to feel guilty that I wasn't creating Research logs, until I stublem accross your video. I find what you say about research logs to be in general totally logical and sensible. I don't particilarily see an need for them in this day and age. I do however need something to stop me duplicating work. I use Family Tree Maker 2019 as my primary software and after entering all the details in the software and creating poper citations etc. I don't really want to go to another piece of software or even worse a piece of paper and record all the information again. I don't see the need for it. I do however really need to do something about how I organise myself and stop duplicating work. Have you created any content with regards Family Tree Maker and specifically how to use it's different types of notes to create a one stop shop for resaech note, research logs etc?

Am I to understand that you put the majority of your research results and quotes in an offline program? What if all your research in your software programm can not be read by your family because they don't have that program (and don't want to buy it) or the program is not compatible and updated technically anymore some day? I don't want to put everything online.

Thanks

Is it possible to buy or download your cheatsheet for where to find records?

Detest!!!

I'm an avoider. I've tried keeping logs & it just doesn't work for me. I keep research journals. I document what I'm researching, where, who, etc. Then I can put that info into my reports. It helps me keep track of what I have & have not researched. And if I step away from my research, I can review my notes & continue from there. I try to add/create as many sources I can on Ancestry; where I keep majority of my work. But yeah I hate using the logs.

Where can we get the Research Question Cheat Sheet that you mentioned at 6:09?

I don't know what is it and definetely need something to keep track of my research. I am really messy with my research and never know which years, places or documents I've already search. So, I need some organization for not to repeat all my work over and over.

Mostly avoid. Software comes with tools to create logs now anyways. Rootsmagic and Legacy have research logs in them, Family Tree Maker has research notes for each person, and GRAMPS also has notes options. It's kinda silly to use a separate program to do genealogy when every bit of software has the tools now.

Avoid. I use OneNote (have it with me everywhere) to write my question, cut & paste any background, list possible sources, track results, etc. Then cut & paste into software. OneNote allows me to see all the research to do quickly without running reports out of the software. Works for me.

Although I think research logs are beneficial, I do not use them because they are too time intensive if they are done right. However, there have been times when I regretted not noting a source during an earlier stage of research.

Avoid. Its redundant. Wastes time you could be researching. Researching is a spiral, not a straight line..we always circle back to information. And websites constantly upload more data, they add on to existing data. So far at 49 I feel like I can float most of this data in my head..maybe I'm wrong but after awhile its just stuck in there.

Is there a way to do this in Family tree maker? That’s the software I have decided to purchase.

I would forget to update, spend to much to try to do them

Avoid! Instead, I keep detailed notes on everything I look up into a project specific notebook. It gives me more latitude, and more space.

Detest

Avoider - I chart census records on a spreadsheet.

never used one

Not sure.

not sure

Not sure

Avoid research logs!!

I've been doing this for 8 to 9 years and I only heard of research logs since RootsTech. Whatever.

AVOID!

Avoider

avoid

avoid!!!!

Avoid!!

I avoid them at all costs. They don’t make sense in the digital age!

Avoid

AVOID

avoid

Avoider

Avoid