Ever since I got serious about genealogy in 2012, I’ve struggled with keeping a research log. (Before that, I didn’t even consider keeping one.) In March 2017, after a few unsuccessful attempts at other formats, I settled on keeping my research log in Evernote with a simple note per session where I take free-form notes and always end the note with next steps. The notes are kept in a notebook by year. In April 2017, I blogged in detail about my informal research log. And in March 2017, I blogged about why keeping a research log is important. (If you click on that link, be sure and read the comments, which are really insightful.)
I’m in the middle of a 30 x 30 challenge and therefore researching daily in short sessions. I’m proud that there is a note for each day this month in my 2019 Research Log notebook. One benefit I’m seeing of my research log is that it’s keeping me focused and saving me time. And I appreciate that!
I always write next steps at the bottom of each entry. (True confession: Sometimes, during unproductive sessions, I just copy and paste the next steps from the previous day.) That means that when I sit down to research, all I have to do is pull up the previous day’s session notes and I know exactly what to work on. No more paralysis with the question “What should I work on today?”
Also, writing down what I’m doing seems to keep on task. I try to write as I go with frequent notes in my log each session. Sometimes, though, I end up doing a brain dump at the end of the session. Writing down what I’m doing or have done, keeps my research question top of mind.
When I come across a clue that I want to explore in the future (about a different research question or a different family than the one I’m researching today), I write it down in a follow up folder. I keep follow folders by surname and check them every now and then.
Staying focused is so hard in genealogy research with so many wonderful things to explore and so many temptations put right in front of us. A research log–in concert with follow-up folders to jot down future tasks–is my secret weapon for staying focused. My research log is far from perfect. But it’s consistent and, I’m finding, very helpful.
I have a Facebook group called Genealogy Research Loggers. Please join if you’re interested in research logs!
I am using the Evernote research log format that you referenced in another post. I am finding it very helpful to organize my info, and thus, my thoughts. I am using my own Ahnentafel table (which I also keep in Evernote) to organize these first 31 days of the 30×30 Challenge. So, Jan. 1st (or 01.01) is me; Jan. 2nd (or 01.02) is my dad; Mom is 01.03; and so on. That way I can always find my first four generations of ancestors at the top of the Evernote page. I search for that ancestor — and only that ancestor — on the appropriate day.
On my page for each day are two items I keep in a template from which I can copy and paste: 1.) any vital records that I have for them, and 2.) a list of where they are located during any census years they were alive, along with the street address if applicable. This gives me a basic framework for creating a picture of where they were when. I am part of the every-person-every-census tribe.
Christy, I love that you’ve created a structure for your 30 x 30 challenge! I also love the template you’ve created. Thanks so much for sharing. Can you elaborate a little on what you mean by every person every census. I think I understand, but I’d like to be sure.
Sure! I research every person in my family tree in every U.S. census (my family has been here a long time so I have not done much research across the pond). I found that my uncle, who “did” our genealogy in the 1970s, left out a lot of relatives because he only looked at one census for each family. So my father and mother are both in the 1940 and 1930 censuses; my grandparents in the same as well as 1920, 1910 and 1900; my great-grandparents for the most part in the late 1800s; and my great-great grandparents in the mid-1800s. I research each census and extract the data from them to make each person come alive. I did that for my sweetheart’s family in one census and he said, “Where did you come up with all that information about them?!?” It’s all there in the census.I look at my job as putting families back together. I’m always happiest when I find a “lost” child and can put him back together with his parents and siblings.
I also have a Census Predictor form that I created in which I am leaving a message for future generations where my family can be found in the 1950-2010 censuses, soon to be 2020. I would love to have had a road map when I started doing genealogy, so I’m leaving bread crumbs for future generations. I figure I know where many of the people in my tree were living and whom they were living with in say, 1970, so when I am long gone, my great-grandnieces will have a clue as to where to start to continue my research.
I figured that’s what you meant about every person every census. I think that’s a great approach. I’m in that tribe too!
I’m blown away by your Census Predictor form! What an amazing idea. Thank you so much for sharing.
Great post! Just started using one myself.
Excellent, Donna!
I had an informal research log in Google Docs. I write what I want to search and where. When I get to the answers after searching I write my answers in red ink then I know at a glance if an action has been done.
I also use this for my “to so” list for major household projects.
Thanks for sharing your approach, Claudia!
Thanks for your post. As always I enjoy your posts. In the past I have resisted using a research log. Since I use Evernote I am giving it another try. Hope it sticks this time.
I hope it sticks, Jerry! I know I had a number of false starts before the habit became ingrained.
I have not kept a research log, which has gotten me into trouble. I researched the same thing more than once or forgotten where I wrote something down. One of my goals doing this challenge is to actually start keeping a research log.
Daily habits are the easiest ones create. So if you’re doing the 30 x 30 challenge and logging every day, you’ll be on your way!