3. From the beginning, document your findings in your family file, recording where each piece of information originated. In the “olden days,” family
history researchers kept handwritten family group sheets and handwritten
pedigree charts. With the advent of computers, genealogy software, and online
databases, the process of finding and recording information has gotten
infinitely easier, but more complex at the same time. The sources and records seem endless! When you find information, make sure to
write down the source as well as the facts. Did your grandmother provide
her parents' vital information? Then she's your source --- list her name, her
address, the date she provided the information, and the form in which you
received the information (oral, by letter, through email, etc.). Did you
find an ancestor in the census? Record the census year; the series and
microfilm roll number; the census page number; the state, county and township
the family is found in; and any other pertinent data in addition to what
you learned about the family composition. Do the same with land
records, probate information, and anything else you find. If it's possible for you to download a copy of the records online and save it to your family file, that's even better. If your source is a book, then record the title, author, publisher name and location, publication date, and where the book can be accessed (e.g. Seattle Public Library, Genealogy Collection, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104). Then you -- and everyone who is given access to your records -- will be able to see or locate the source at any time, memory overload notwithstanding.