It doesn’t take long in the life of a genealogy researcher until they realize that they are looking at the same record for the second or third time because they forgot that they had already perused them earlier.
Each revisit potentially costs both them and money as represented with the repeat visit to the source location.
Some researchers are slower learners in this arena than others because they spend much of their genealogy research life without using Research Logs to record their research steps.
Effective researchers plan each excursion to the library, online sources, cemetery or city records with a plan of what they want to accomplish that day. A research log helps us focus on the activities for our current ancestral quest.
The FamilySearch Wiki has several great articles on Research Logs. Lets take a quick look at one of them:
What should you record on the pages of your research logs?
A key tip is to fill in as much data as you can at home so you’ll have a road map for the coming foray.
It is imperative that you remember to add all of the data you found during your quest to the log. Record the data and sources while you are on site. Finish populating them when you get home and have more time to fully analyze your finds.
Use a black or dark blue pen to write on your log. Write clearly so not only you but others can read your script later. Don’t use a pencil or funky color to record the information. Both fade and / or smear over time.
While on the wiki, take the time to watch the training video that is mentioned in the wiki article.
Follow the links in the wiki article to print a blank log page or to download the form template in Word format.
You know know the how and why associated with research logs. Inject the ‘Just Do It’ knowledge into your mind and you’ll find that your research will be much more effective both in the short term and in the long term as well.
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