This may seem like an obvious statement, but even the best researchers think, “Oh, I’ll remember where I found this, and come back to it”, or “I’ll remember to ask Grandma Kate about that”… I have found that if I do not record something correctly right away, I may remember it incorrectly or not remember where I saw or heard it.
While you begin your genealogy project, you will most likely be provided a lot of information orally from family members. You will need to be prepared to take notes and have a good system for short hand or your own set of symbols you can recall easily to make your notes understandable to you.
If you set up a plan to meet with family, ask them if you can record their answers. Bring a notebook, a recording device, a pencil, laptop/tablet… anything to help you gather your data in a quick and efficient manner. When you start your notes or your recording, always record who you are getting your information from and the current date.
When you inquire about an individual in your tree, you will want to know the following information…
- Individuals full name and any nicknames
- Birth date (born in a hospital or at home)
- Location (city, state, and country)
- Parents names
- List any marriages /location of marriages
- List any children/location of family when children were born
- Jobs held by individual
- Places lived
- Death Date & circumstances surrounding death
- Any stories or opinions the person you are interviewing has about this individual. (*** Just because someone tells you a story or personal opinion doesn’t mean it needs to be included in your “viewable” work. Use your best judgement… that should help you stay out of some trouble).
Keep your information in an organized space and where it can be accessed easily. Write neatly and use exact words used by those you are interviewing.
Thanks for reading! Happy searching!
