Experts share tips for getting the most out of your genealogy research

When you’re digging into genealogy, keeping a good research log and staying organized help to produce the best results, or at least helps you know where you have been.

Several professional genealogists shared their thoughts in the article “Top Secrets” in the July/August issue of Family Tree Magazine. Their tips include:

• Know your research question. That is, know what are you trying to prove, stay focused.

• Be realistic. There are sometimes limits to what you can accomplish with sources, what access you'll have, what survives for the time period.

• Don't get distracted. We all come across other things to pursue, but try to stay focused.

• Keep a research log. It's one of the most important things, writing down what you have looked at, the yield, and some analysis.

• Record negative finds. That means make a note of any book, or original record, you looked over, but found nothing helpful. Doing this will keep you from going back to the same source again.

• Revisit the research log. Look for clues you may have jotted down during research, to see if they fit into the picture later on, as you learn more on the subject.

• Use a research checklist. List sources to check at the library or online database you are visiting. Make a to-do list so that, when you pick back up with this particular family/question, you know where you left off, rather than starting again cold and wasting time.

• Stay organized. Use a system that works for you, is not too complicated and can be understood by others who might use your files. I have found writing a memo while I am working on a new research topic can help me focus.

Family Tree Magazine is on newsstands now and has many more useful articles. See familytreemagazine.com.

Putting your family tree on FamilySearch.org