Steps to Success in Genealogical Research Step Four (National Institute)

Step 4: Effective Searching and Recording
One of the commonest errors, regretted later when sources have to be searched again, is to record only information you feel at the time is related to your direct line. Genealogy is more than just extending a pedigree back as fast and as far as you can. These ancestors are people who have families and if we want to get to know them we ought to put them in the context of their families.

As you search, it is always wise to record all people with the surname(s) you seek. It will take longer, at this moment, but you will gain insight into the family structure, and save frustration and repeat searches later on. Gathering information on collateral families is essential to complete research. Reviewing well-taken and complete notes will often unplug a research bottleneck as you comprehend the wider family picture. You will avoid making incorrect assumptions because you will have the data necessary to make correct connections.

As a general rule when consulting written sources it is more efficient to arrange your list of queries in the same order as the material itself is arranged. Thus:


 * If you are going to look at a group of alphabetically arranged wills, then bring your list arranged in alphabetical order.


 * If you are searching a parish register written chronologically then arrange your queries by date. This may have to be further divided, for example the early registers may have christenings, marriages and burials mixed together, but the later ones, (typically when printed books were provided), may need separate lists for the three events.

The catalog of the library or archive should indicate which arrangement is used.

Microfiche
When consulting fiche first note which style, either rows or columns, has been used by the manufacturer. Fiches produced in Europe are more often arranged in rows (see below), whilst North American ones are typically in columns (see below). Obviously you need to read pages consecutively to obtain intelligible information.

European Style
European Style Fiche in Rows

North American Style
North American Style Fiche in Columns

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