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Why and how to document genealogy research
Home » Genealogy » Organizing and Documenting Your Family History Information » Why and how to document genealogy researchPosted by Your Guide on July 6, 2006 9:51 PM
Documentation of every bit of information in your files is very important. The purposes of document are many. However, proving the validity of your research is at the top of the list. Showing the exact location from which the information was gathered is critical so that others can go back to that exact source document at a later date.
There are times when information should be documented with a phrase similar to, "From a phone conversation with Betty Smith on April 26, 1995," or "From a conversation with Betty Smith (Aunt Betty) at the Smith Family Reunion, April 26, 1995." The date is important in this instance to show what you learned first as opposed to what information was gathered later. When making notations based on information from family members or others, it is important to note that the memory of that person, no matter who they are, can be flawed.
Emails can also be documented, noting the sender, subject line, and date. The email address of the sender should also be included.
Documentation of official sources is necessary, even if you have a copy of the original document. Court house records almost always have a number assigned to them, or are noted as coming from "Birth Records 1900-1910, Lamar County, Texas, Book 1 page 15." If you obtain information from official records over the internet, then the exact web page address should also be included in your citation. When you share gedcom files with other researchers, most often you will not be sending along copies of your original documents. The notation about where to find them is sufficient.
Another reason for accurate documentation is to be able to go back to the source document at a later time and gather information that is relevant, but of which you were unaware the first time you viewed the source. Once you find additional family links, information that seemed unimportant upon first viewing may be vital later.
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