How to Organize Genealogy Research Notes | Offline and Online

[@skipskipskippyloo]

Perfect info for my needs!! Thanks so much. Take notes where I research. Yes!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Glad it was helpful! It took me too many years to discover this tip. Primarily because of the lack of resources to do just that. However, with the modernization of genealogy, it's my favorite tip. Glad you liked it.

[@rover790]

Thanks for the great video. This has been extremely helpful to me as I tend to have notes all over the place.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Glad it was helpful! I typically have a scatterbrained approach to many things. Which is why I have to keep things where I research. it increases the chances that I have of not misplacing notes.

[@ValorieZimmerman]

I have long agreed with you but now that I'm working through Research Like a Pro and using Airtable for a Research Log linked to the FANs found in those sources, I'm liking the process. In the RLP process you do start with a question, created re-usable Locality Guides, decide on a plan (like your cheat sheets) and write as you go (for me, in Google Docs). What I like about creating the citation, notes etc in Airtable is that that becomes the "master file" for that person/couple/family and you can use it forever. I would never use a paper research log, or doc numbers, for sure!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I'm glad you found that approach to work.
I find it one additional program to manage, which is why I let Diane and Nicole discuss that. As you know I'm all about the fewest pieces of technology to accomplish a goal efficiently. I love using Goldie May to capture my online research tasks. Then I dump the citations into a Research Log (if it's needed) or by pass it and put the citations straight into a research report, database, and/or online tree.
There are several ways to accomplish the final product of tracking our notes and citations. So I'm glad you found yours. I just thought I'd clarify mine as I have it spread across multiple videos.

[@ValorieZimmerman]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics I often use your way too! But for the really big intensive (and sprawling) projects, I think Airtable is workin' for me. I often refer people to your various videos (this channel and the new one) and value the work that you and Andy give to all of us. Can't wait until more of your kids show up again too!

[@aprilrowland444]

I wish I could "Love" this. Thanks for this video!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Leaving comments is definitely a way to love it. Then, share it with others so it can reach others.

[@ArtbyKimmer]

Hello thank you for great videos. I miss catching you live but work and home buying has been taking up my time lately.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I understand., Buying a home? There must be a story there.

[@stevelaursen1691]

Hello. My Grandmother and her siblings were left by the parents to be raised by other familys. I know all the parties involved byt how do I connect them in my tree. thanks

[@robertbell2121]

Thanks for the great tips on where one can enter notes along the way.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

You bet!

[@jacquelineruff9918]

Thank you for this video- very helpful. Some of these things I already do and some are new to me. I'll definitely be using the new ideas!
What do you do with hand written notes you write? Or do you try not to hand write notes?
Thank you for all the helpful information! 😍

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I occasionally write handwritten notes. When I have time, I'll type them into my online trees, software, and/or reports depending on the project. You can also file them in your file folders. However, I have found that too many loose notes not attached to trees will be lost by me. Thus, I always try to keep notes where I research.

[@herbertswain3452]

Being fairly new to genealogy I have struggled with the idea of research logs. When I saw your video about why you don't need them I was hooked. That led me to this video. I guess I'm not unique in that I use Family Search, Ancestry, MyHeritage, ftDNA, GEDmatch, and have trees on all. That led me to use a PC based 'master tree' which is the one tree that contains entries from all the online trees, which are not totally synced. So my question is, do you really keep notes in all those places? If so, how do remember what is where?

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I like the way you think and your thoughtful question. To be honest, I follow my adage that I keep notes where I research. I primarily research keep the "Description notes" on Ancestry (as shown in the video). That feeds into RootsMagic and can feed into FamilySearch. The reverse isn't always the case.
I don't use the Notes / comments much on Ancestry, but I know some folks do which is why I shared that option.
I rely heavily on the Collaboration - Notes tab on FamilySearch when I want to point out some questions for other researchers or when I want to share something that explains in detail what others need to know.
Finally, I use research reports for complicated research projects, such as the who is John Townley's father (which is a series I did last year on this channel).
So, the answer to your question is, where is your tree planted? That's where most of your notes should be. Keep it on a tree and not in a separate note system, unless you're doing a research project. In that case, keep only the notes relevant to the project. Then when you're done, transfer the notes back to the primary place your tree is planted.
I hope that helps a little bit. Keep the questions coming. (Oh... and RootsMagic is working on a solution for creating research logs without the work of creating them. Stay tuned.)

[@athnamayporter5598]

I love your KISR and have been doing this for many years since Ancestral Quest came out. I also use all of the other programs that you touched upon, but in AQ where I have my permanent tree, I have actually created "dummy persons" with the title of the family that I am researching.
The "dummy person" is not connected to anyone, but very easy to find in the Name List.
Example: Bliss Family Research Notes
I skip filling out any information on the individual page and jump right to the NOTES Section. There I list person by person in the Bliss family the records that I still need to find on each person or as a family unit.
When I find a record, I complete the information in the individual(s) record and attach said record.
Then I go back to my Bliss Family Research Notes and either delete it, or add comments and keep it, or move it to a section in this same Note where it helps me to follow the Bliss family or individual throughout the years. (Kind of like your City Directory example). I also do this with all of my Census Records so at a glance I can see every ten years where everyone is, or not, or deceased.
I am getting ready to teach a class on this very topic to our MT Big Sky Genealogy Computer Group that has been learning together for 30 years. Thank you for all that you do to educate us as family historians. You are very much appreciated!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

If you could share some screen shots of what you mean, I'd love to see them. I'm a very visual person (which is why I make TH-cam videos first and blog posts second). The best way to reach out is info at familyhistoryfanatics d com.