Well, rules might be a bit strict, but we do have some pretty tight guidelines that we like to follow when we’re doing genealogy research. We promise we use them most of the time.
You likely have your own set of rules and we’d love to hear them. What would you add to this list?
Want to keep this list handy or share it with others? Download an infographic at the bottom of this page.
12 Genealogy Research Rules
1. Always Cite Your Sources. Always.
2. Never, Ever Assume Another Researcher’s Information is 100% Correct
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Imagine adding your family tree to a simple website and getting hundreds of new family history discoveries instantly. MyHeritage is offering 2 free weeks of access to their extensive collection of 18 billion historical records, as well as their matching technology that instantly connects you with new information about your ancestors. Sign up using the link below to find out what you can uncover about your family.
3. Remember That Every Name Has Variations, Check Them All
4. Never Copy Another Person’s Public Tree, Use it Only as a Helpful Aid
5. Share Freely With Others and They Will Share With You
6. Don’t Trust Your Assumptions, Only Sources
7. Check and Double Check Your Facts Before Recording or Sharing
8. Take a Second Look at Records, Your Answer May Be Right in Front of You
9. Don’t Limit Yourself to Only One or Two Research Sites, Look for Options
10. Go Offline or Order Hard Copies to Expand Your Research
11. Back Up Your Files Monthly, Keep at Least Two Copies of Your Research
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Get two full weeks of free access to more than 18 billion genealogy records right now. You’ll also gain access to the MyHeritage discoveries tool that locates information about your ancestors automatically when you upload or create a tree. What will you discover about your family’s past?
Lateral relatives (sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) will almost always lead to break-throughs in your direct line, if you accumulate enough information and wait long enough, so don’t skip over them in your research – especially the childless ones, who often cared for nieces and nephews and left detailed wills….
C. Zarr
Agree with Debra Peters. Soc. Sec. Death Index has my mother’s birth month and year correct; however, the day is incorrect.
Debra Peters
All you can do is give the birth date and if the program requires it, mark them as living. Nothing else to be done.
Bonnie Ward
What is the proper way to list living persons? Thank you.
On the topic of not assuming another researcher’s information is correct, I would add that it is important to remember that census takers and indexers of official databases are also “researchers”. However, as they don’t have intimate familiarity with their subjects, they will frequently make serious errors in spelling or transcription. I cannot count the number of misspelled names of people or places I have seen in “official” documents like censuses and Ellis Island records/transcriptions. I try to report transcription errors whenever I see them.
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Lateral relatives (sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) will almost always lead to break-throughs in your direct line, if you accumulate enough information and wait long enough, so don’t skip over them in your research – especially the childless ones, who often cared for nieces and nephews and left detailed wills….
Agree with Debra Peters. Soc. Sec. Death Index has my mother’s birth month and year correct; however, the day is incorrect.
All you can do is give the birth date and if the program requires it, mark them as living. Nothing else to be done.
What is the proper way to list living persons? Thank you.
On the topic of not assuming another researcher’s information is correct, I would add that it is important to remember that census takers and indexers of official databases are also “researchers”. However, as they don’t have intimate familiarity with their subjects, they will frequently make serious errors in spelling or transcription. I cannot count the number of misspelled names of people or places I have seen in “official” documents like censuses and Ellis Island records/transcriptions. I try to report transcription errors whenever I see them.