I’ve been doing genealogy research long enough to know the value of keeping a research log. Yet I really resist it. I’m not sure why and it’s driving me a little crazy. I was thinking about it this morning as I was walking my dog and I vowed to amend my 2017 genealogy goals to add this important goal:
- Create a habit of logging each research session
I think one of the reasons I’ve resisted using a log is that I find myself a little intimidated by complicated spreadsheets. The research log created and shared by Thomas MacEntee is a thing of beauty. Used regularly and properly it would elevate anyone’s research. Yet the idea of filling it out is just too much for me. And so I’ve been very hit or miss on writing down what I’m researching.
On my walk this morning, it hit me that a research log is like any organizing system: The very best one is the one you will use. It’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. There’s no right way to do it. The important thing is to just do something.
When I got home, I mindmapped what a simple research log I might create for myself would look like. Then I looked back at my previous attempts, all in Evernote, and I realize I actually have something in place that I can just pick up and start using again.
Back in late 2013, I partnered with the personal organizer app Springpad (RIP Springpad!) and created a Family History Organizer custom notebook. Part of it was research tracker template, a very simple form to track what you’ve done in each session. A Research Log Lite, if you will. I think I never felt my research tracker template was good enough to qualify as a research log and I didn’t fully commit to it. (I’ve blogged about my attempts.) But now I feel that if I use it regularly, I’ll actually have a nice body of knowledge. I’m going for it.
Today’s the first day of a new focus on keeping a research log. I created a 2017 Research Log notebook in Evernote, which is my preferred place to keep track of information (genealogy-wise and otherwise). I revised the original research tracker template a little and placed in my 2017 Research Log Notebook. (That’s the template, in its entirety, up in the top of this post. Click on the image to see it larger.)
I created my first note in the notebook, titling the note with today’s date and the names of the ancestors I researched. I copied the template into the note and filled it out. I tagged it with the ancestor’s surname (Adams) and created an “Adams RL tag”, so I can easily pull up all my research log notes about the Adamses. I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful habit.
Bonus! I made the research tracker template, public, so you can add it to your own Evernote account if you want to give it a try. Just click on the link and it should open up in Evernote for you. (I’m a novice at public Evernote notes, so if it doesn’t work for you, please let me know and I’ll figure it out.)
I’m always excited about creating new habits in the new year; I hope to be reporting here that it’s become ingrained!
I’m curious: Do you keep a research log? If so, in what format?
Hi! You bet I keep a research log, for a long time, I did not. Then I saw I was repeating the same searches, in the same repositories years later, sometimes 3 and 4 times! The research log is now the hub of my projects, since I became a professional genealogist, it has become key to my work life. It not only informs me of where I have been searching, but quite often I write my findings in a way to just embed into my reports. My log is much more simpler than yours, it contains, a link, a citation, purpose of search, description of what was found and a document number. I start each project with a log and keep it open and go back and forth as I research. Sorry for the long winded response! but truly, Research logs are a life saver!
I was hoping you’d weigh in, Maria! Do you keep your log in a spreadsheet? So you’re logging each finding/search, not each session, is that correct? Maybe we can see one another when I’m in SLC for RootsTech and talk research logs! Thanks so much for commenting.
My research log changes depending on the project. I use a table in Word, a spreadsheet would work just as well. I do log every search, whether I find something or not, so every search for a couple is documented. When I was working on my 4 generation accreditation project I split up the log into the 4 couples, it is over 60 pages long. So, I have been able to track everything I have searched for them. Since I have only 4 columns, it’s not that hard to keep up. Mind you, I do not build citations for every search. I think if the Log is complicated, you won’t use it. Simple, works best.
I will be happy to share it w
ith you, as I plan on attending your RootsTech Session!
I agree that the more complicated a research log is, the less likely I am to use it! I’d love to see yours!
I can so relate!! I tried, and failed, numerous times with the spreadsheet log (blogged about it a bit too) but I DO need a better system than my trusty notebook. Every year I get a bit more organized, thanks for the push to re-look at that darned log .. I know I need a 21st century edition … and maybe more discipline to adhere to a new “trick” 🙂
Maybe we can create this habit together! I think doing it in Evernote will be really helpful for me. I use Evernote a lot throughout the day, so it feels very natural. Thanks for commenting. Let me know how it goes!
I feel the same about research logs. I just cannot bring myself to maintain mine. I always start because I know how important and helpful they are, but my will fades away quite fast 🙂
Thanks for commiserating, Barbara. I wonder whether we can build in some sort of reward to help get the ball rolling on forming the research log habit. The benefits are obviously there, but it’s like a lot I guess (exercising comes to mind) that are hard to convince ourselves to do.
How about something like peer support? From my experience that is a concept which really helps when it comes to change (like exercise, working out loud, weight loss or else). Just a thought.. not thought through yet 🙂 peer support groups to check in on each other?
I love the idea of peer support and accountability–it can be very effective for creating a beneficial new habit. I can think of a couple of easy ways to do that here on this site, if people want. One would be to have a blog post where people just check in in the comments section. Another would be a blog post where people sign up for an accountability program in the comments, and then I’d pair people up to communicate with another privately as accountability partners.
I’ll give it some thought and write a post tomorrow and see if we can get the ball rolling on that, if folks are interested. Thanks for the idea, Barbara!
somehow I cannot comment via the app.. very odd. And being on tour most of the week, it took me a while to come back for a comment. I’ve seen you are already full in the planning phase! 🙂 I facilitate some peer support groups myself for other topics.. happy to volunteer if needed.