Today, a large quantity of genealogical information has been
made readily available in print, on CDs, and on the Internet. This
flood of information is wonderful and appeals to our desire to do research
quickly. However, this plethora of published records in an easily
searched format has given some beginning genealogists the illusion
that all records searching and lineage research is similarly easy.
Ancestry research involves more than merely locating a set of records,
looking at the index and then copying the document. Sometimes, this is the
way research can be done. However, most of the time it is not.
A great deal of lineage research involves detailed examination
of unindexed, illegible, molded, and otherwise difficult to read records.
Sometimes the importance of these records is easily grasped and the
context readily understood. Yet other times the information in these
records must be placed in historical or legal context in order to be fully
understood and appreciated. This is where a professional genealogist can
be of the most service to his/her client.
When a client orders in-depth research with us, we follow
the outlined steps below:
Analyze the data received. The first
thing that we do is examine the client's research goal to make certain
that the goal is a realistic one given the information in hand. If
not, then we work with the client to revise the client's expectations
about what can be done in the time allotted. Then,
we make sure we have collected from our client all of his or her
previous research and we thoroughly examine it. We may build a database
with the information, depending upon how extensive it is. This
examination allows us to determine the reliability of the source
records upon which the family group sheets and pedigrees are based and
ensures that no research that we do for the client is repeated
unnecessarily.
Check on the availability of Records. Based
upon our analysis of the client's goal, we then check the Family
History Library card catalog searching for records that will assist in
the fulfillment of the client's goal. If the records are not available
at the FHL, but are thought to be extant, we will correspond with the
library or archives holding the necessary documents in order to assess
their availability.
Develop a research strategy. Taking into
consideration 1) the type of documents available and 2) the research
goals of the client, we then develop a research strategy that will
compliment the two. For example:
Suppose a client wants the birth record for her male Virginia ancestor
born about 1791. We know from experience that statewide Virginia birth
registration did not begin until 1853, so a "birth
certificate" will not be available for her ancestor. Thus,
alternate sources are sought in the order of direct relevance to the
client's goal. For instance, church christenings, parish records, and
bible records, if they existed for the area in which her ancestor was
born would be examined. If those records did not exist or were not
available, then census records would be examined. Census records after
1850 listed the individual's name and age and state of birth. If the
client wants to know the identity of the parents for her ancestor,
too, then VA personal property tax lists and probate records could be
examined for reference to her ancestor.
So, it is evident that developing a research
strategy is a multifaceted process - one that requires the
professional genealogist to know which records to examine and to
understand the relevancy of the data held within each set of records.
Search and evaluate the documents. After a
research strategy has been developed, the
available records are searched and the results evaluated. The
evaluation will determine whether or not the data contained in the
record(s) will provide the necessary information to fulfill the
client's goals. Often a specialized knowledge of law and history (as
in the case of probate and tax records) will be necessary in order to
fully understand the relevancy of data within a document.
Keep track of each source studied and label all
documents. This is a vital and ongoing
part of the research process. Upon completion of the research project,
the client should be able to examine the list of source records and
view labeled documents so that they might quickly visualize the scope
and reliability of the completed project. We keep a calendar which
describes in full each source studied, the author, editor, publication
date, and the Family History Library call number (see
sample). Each document that is photocopied for your perusal will
be labeled with the same detailed source information.
Summarize the research. Upon completion of
the research session, a summary of the results
will be provided. This summary will include a description of the
research process, the records studied, and a brief analysis of the
most important documents found.
Provide suggestions for further research. No
research project would be complete without a
game plan for future research. We will provide suggestions listing
records that might be examined in any future research sessions along
with a brief explanation of the logic behind each of the suggestions.
So, at the end of the research time
allotted by the client, the client should expect to see considerable
progress made on his/her stated goal. In other words, the
client's goal may or may not have been met in the one research session.
Whatever the case may be, the client should see that there were several
relevant sources thoroughly examined and evaluated in the time he/she
allotted.
