1. How to Accomplish Your Original Research
Lesson 1:
How to Accomplish Your Original Research
Let’s start out right and get organized. There is nothing worse than trying to do family history and having a room of papers in a big mess.
Presented by:
DeAnne Shelley

2. This is the correct procedure to enter names in the computer in PAF 5
This is the correct procedure to enter names in the computer in PAF 5.2, Legacy, or just on paper in your binder. Names are entered with the surname in all capitals. Ex: BROMLEY and STICKNEY. All dates are written in European style as day, month and then year. Do not use all numbers as it is difficult to know if it is May the 10th or October 5th. Is it 1902 or 1802? Use full year. When using the place field use parish or town, then county, then state and then country. In the example of Chicago, use a coma dividing Chicago from Illinois, so that the county can be added and it lets everyone know that the county is missing. The same thing is true on the example of Brudenell with 3 commas. This lets you know that the county and providence are missing. You should look them up and then add the correct places to your database.

3. It is now time for you to pick a research subject
It is now time for you to pick a research subject. This is a person on YOUR pedigree chart that has some missing information. You can see from the example of Enos WHITE #8 that he has missing marriage information. He could be the first research subject that you can work on. In the example of #10 and #11; Samuel DEVINE only has an about date of birth, only Canada, no marriage information but we do have a place and date of death. His wife #11, Mary Anne COSTELLO only has a place of birth listed as Canada. The other research subject would be #14 Samuel THOMPSON. No birth info is listed for him. So, we have now located four research subjects on this pedigree sheet. You may select anyone from your pedigree chart. You may not even have started a pedigree chart. Just start with yourself as #l and then add your parents #2 and #3 and go as far as you have information. It is best to not start your family history in a foreign location unless you can read the language. All males are listed as even numbers, see examples as #2, 4, 8, 6, 12 and etc. All females are odd numbers and the wife is one number higher than her spouse. Example #9 is the wife of #8 and #13 is the wife of #12. Each generation doubles from the child to the father. Example: #7 Leona’s father is #14 Samuel THOMPSON. Are there any questions? YOUR research subject may be an end-of-line person.

4. Each husband and wife are to have a family group sheet
Each husband and wife are to have a family group sheet. This family group sheet is where all the children are listed. Now the family unit is complete. Complete it as accurately as possible. You can print the charts and forms from or where ever you like. If you have already entered your data in PAF, just print the family group sheets for your family.

5. Now let’s talk about your pedigree chart
Now let’s talk about your pedigree chart. We now have identified the research subjects. It is now time to make a new pedigree chart with each research subject you are going to work on. We always start the research from the known information that is complete. #4 George Riley White has all his essential information. Because we have all but the marriage on #8 Enos White we can start with him. Start a new pedigree chart with him as #1.

6. This is now the page that you will have in your binder to start from
This is now the page that you will have in your binder to start from. You always start a new pedigree chart with your NEW research subject.

7. A family group sheet is started with the research subject as a child on the sheet. Now as you begin to do research on the family you have room to add all the information. Just print off the family group sheet if you have already entered your data in PAF.

8. This form is used for you to analyze the information you already have and then draw some conclusions as where to look for the information that you need. As you go through these lessons class subjects will be added to your knowledge and you will become more proficient in knowing where to look for the information that you need. The left side of the form is headed “what do I already know?” On this side you use a simple format of the info you know. Just abbreviate your info. On the right side of the form “What does this suggest?” is used for you to think of where you should or might look for info on your subject. Ex: If Enos was born in 1843 in Cass County, Michigan then it would be correct to try and find him as a child in the 1850 census of that county. If he died in 1905, look for obituary and cemetery records. His marriage dates and places are missing so look for marriage records in Cass County also. John is thought to be the father of Enos so check census and land records to see when he first comes to Michigan. In doing family history research you will always be using an analysis sheet until you become so proficient that you automatically do this in your head. Practice makes perfect.

9. Three forms are needed once you have picked your research subject:
1. Pedigree chart with your research subject as no. 1
2. Family Group Sheet
3. Analysis Sheet

10. WHITE DEVINE NOTES COSTELLO THOMPSON
Use a binder with at least a l ½ to 2 inch ring. I would suggest that you work on no more than 3 or four subjects at a time. If they are all from the same area, the research will be easier than if they are from different area of the country. Get a set of index tabs and set up your binder with each surname and keep one for notes.

11. This is the working pedigree start for the research subject of Samuel DEVINE. We start the research from one generation back as that is where all the information is known. It is impossible to start from Samuel #2 as he has only death info. #3 Mary Ann COSTELLO would have her own pedigree chart for the COSTELLO family. Each family has its own starting pedigree and family group sheet.

12. In the first paragraph above, some of the names have now changed
In the first paragraph above, some of the names have now changed. For example, The Family Group Records Archive and the Computer File Index are now called the Ancestral File and the Temple Records Index Bureau is now called the IGI or International Genealogical Index. lAnalyzing your problems is probably the most important skill to develop in doing your research on your families. The research process is always used anytime research is performed. Memorize these steps as you will use them always. Set up your binder, add your index tabs, put the three forms behind each tab. 1 – pedigree chart with research subject family group sheet and 3 – an analysis sheet. After you complete this you are ready for Lesson 2.

13. This analysis sheet or T form, as it is often called, is important in your research planning. This sheet constantly changes as you complete and decide to do different lookups and the answers take you in different directions.
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14. The 3rd sheet is an analysis sheet
The 3rd sheet is an analysis sheet. This sheet controls your research as you analyze what steps to complete in doing research. Now let’s discuss this sheet.
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15. (Read this form completely)
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16. Let’s now look at this form again
Let’s now look at this form again. On the left is shown the son, Enos with an about birthdates as 1843 in Cass County, Michigan. On the right side an objective to do would be to read the (1) 1850 census of Cass County, MI. Enos should be a 6 or 7 year old depending on the time of year the census was taken. His parents should be listed as well as any siblings at that time. Upon doing this research add the information you gain to your family group sheet. (2) Enos is listed as having died in On the right side, an objective would be to look for obituary and cemetery information. (3) Look to see if he married in Cass County. This would give you her full name. (4) John is thought to be Enos’s father. Through the census and land records find out when he comes to Michigan and from where.
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17. Add to your existing three forms:
Research Log
Document Extracts
These two (2) forms can be down loaded from my site or purchased from the copy center.
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18. A research log keeps track of your searches
A research log keeps track of your searches. It is your documentation of when, where and what is found in your research searches.
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19. A document extract is always used to record the information found in your searches. (Read this info) The document extract is kept in document number order (1 to 20) behind your research log. If you can just print from the Internet then this sheet would be your document extract. Be sure you list when and where you got the info.
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20. This is document No. 2. Many times if I am doing library research, I input directly into my lap top. It all depends on where you are researching. This example is a cemetery extraction and it is usually done on paper as shown by this example. (Read this example completely).
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21. This document No. 3 is from a film of marriage records
This document No. 3 is from a film of marriage records. If your locality is relatively small, extract all those of the same surname so that you do not have to go back to the film again and again. (Read the example)
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22. This example is from the Ancestral File on the FamilySearch site
This example is from the Ancestral File on the FamilySearch site. Research subjects are being identified. There are many on this page that could be chosen.
Ann Wood is a good research subject. She has an ‘about’ date of birth and death and we know her husbands data and child's info.
Littleton Patillo No. 6, is also a good research subject because the daughter’s info is complete. His wife No. 7 Elizabeth Perkins, in looking at this sheet, is the sister to No. 4 Ute Perkins.
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23. (Read completely).
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24. This is a fun cartoon as we are discussing different pedigrees.
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25. Preliminary Survey Using the FamilySearch site at
check the following
Ancestral File, IGI, Pedigree Resource File and new.familysearch.org.
usgenweb.com or worldgenweb.com
This is important to see what is already available on your research subject.
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