| When it comes to genealogy research, there are | | | | site your reference when providing information as |
| many different tricks of the trade that you can | | | | fact. |
| use to find and gather the information that you | | | | If you are still uncertain as to whether or not a |
| need. No matter what methods you choose to | | | | piece of information you gathered is fact, then |
| follow, however, there are a few basics that | | | | you should state that the information is probable |
| always remain the same if you hope to have a | | | | or possible. Once again, cite your resource for the |
| successful and fulfilling search. | | | | information that has led you to believe the |
| Record Information | | | | information may be true. Be sure to acknowledge |
| One of the most important steps you should take | | | | the research that others may have conducted for |
| when conducting genealogy research is also one | | | | you. |
| of the most overlooked: make sure to maintain | | | | Work Together |
| accurate logs of the information you have | | | | Genealogy research is a collegial interest. |
| collected. In order to keep accurate loges, you | | | | Therefore, you should openly and freely |
| need to document the resources you used for | | | | communicate with other researchers and share |
| each piece of information you collect. This makes | | | | the information you have gathered. In order to do |
| it far easier to do cross-references down the | | | | this, you should publish your work in some |
| road and to verify information that you may | | | | manner so it is available to others. You might also |
| collect elsewhere. | | | | place copies of your research in repositories and |
| Gather Evidence | | | | libraries. In addition, you must be open to |
| When conducting genealogy research, it will be | | | | constructive criticism. |
| necessary for you to create your own | | | | Since genealogy research is collegial, you should |
| hypotheses when it comes to piecing information | | | | also feel free to read the information that has |
| about your family together. Don't get carried | | | | been gathered by other researchers. Never feel |
| away with romantic ideas of your lineage and fool | | | | afraid to ask questions or to ask others to share |
| yourself into believing them. Make sure to test | | | | the information they have gathered with you. |
| every hypothesis and theory you develop by | | | | Keep an Open Mind |
| finding credible evidence to back it up. If your | | | | Since genealogy research is a process that |
| hypothesis is not supported by the evidence, | | | | involves formulating and testing a variety of |
| reject it and move on to another hypothesis. | | | | hypotheses, it is important to always keep an |
| Go Original | | | | open mind. New evidence may appear that |
| As much as possible, always use original | | | | discredits other evidence you once had and |
| documents when researching your genealogy. If | | | | proves something other than what you had |
| you use ones that have been reproduced, you | | | | thought to be true. Do not set preconceived ideas |
| run the risk of having documents that have been | | | | about your genealogy and then refuse to change |
| altered. This, of course, may cause you to have | | | | them. Also, be open when listening to the |
| inaccurate information. When it comes to published | | | | conclusions others have drawn and when they |
| works, compilations, communications, and other | | | | make comments on your work. If you listen with |
| electronic or paper guides, you should use them | | | | an open mind, you just might discover new ideas |
| as guides in order to help you find the original | | | | you had never thought about before. |
| documents. | | | | Genealogy research is a rewarding, fun, and |
| Never Stretch the Truth | | | | interesting experience. Just be sure to go into it |
| Never communicate something as a fact when it | | | | with an open mind, with flexibility, and honesty. Be |
| comes to your genealogy until you are completely | | | | willing to share your information with others and |
| sure it really is a fact. You should never mislead | | | | to listen to their information without being |
| another researchers - either purposely or out of | | | | judgmental or by taking offense to their thoughts. |
| carelessness - when stating information. If you | | | | Unraveling the mysteries of the past is like a large |
| communicate information as facts to other | | | | puzzle, and the more ideas and help you have |
| genealogists and have your "fact" disproved, you | | | | solving the puzzle, the great the chance of |
| will lose respect within the community and others | | | | creating a beautiful family picture. |
| will be less likely to help you in your search. Also, | | | | |