1. Ch 7 by Elizabeth Kutz

2. Chapter 7
Organizing & Evaluating
Research Findings
The Researcher’s Guide to American
Genealogy
Val D. Greenwood

3. Purpose of Record Keeping
Notes and Records
Documentation
• You will be judged by the completeness
and accuracy of your research

4. Good Research Notes
Keep you in touch with your genealogical
problem
Aid those who follow you
Avoid duplication at all cost

5. Two Methods
Paper – 20th Century Style
Computer-21st Century Style

6. Paper Method
Take notes on good quality, uniform
sized (letter) paper
Do not recopy your notes (do it right
the first time!)
 Use pencil (no ink)

7. Computer Method
Word – Good for all notes
Excel – Excellent for spreadsheets
and tables. Can be imported into
Word
Images-All
pictures, photocopies, etc.
• The advantage of using the computer
method is the ability of having ALL
research with you and NO paper!

8. Research Notes
Simple
Complete
Not time consuming
Researcher’s identity and date of
research on each page
• Do not recopy paper notes!

9. Research Calendar
All research – positive or negative
Footnote form for sources
Date of research
Limited range, preferably by locality
Researcher’s identity on all pages
Table of contents for your notes
Significant findings - optional

10. Notes, etc.
Contain purpose of research
Contain condition of record(s)
 File systematically –
locality, surname, chronologically
Keep copy of pedigree in file
 Tabulate, evaluate, and analyze
periodically

11. Finally
Write periodic reports for file –most
important as it satisfies GPS
(Genealogical Proof Standard)
NEVER, NEVER throw away any of your
research notes or calendars