Part 3 of the 12-step family history plan

Use the links below to find the steps.

Part 1: includes the following steps (find instructions for them here)

• Step 1: Back up your family history research
• Step 2: Log your family history research

Part 2: includes the following steps (find instructions for them here)

• Step 3: Cite your family history sources
• Step 4: Going 'paperless' /digitising your family history
• Step 5: Transcribe your family history records
• Step 6: Share your family history 
• Step 7: Learn more about family history!

Part 3: 

Step 8: Make a family history research plan

Step 9: Sorting your digital family history files

Step 10: Time travel with your family history

Step 11: Walk in your ancestors' footsteps

Step 12: Reflect on your family history findings

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Step 8: Make a family history research plan

To help to keep you making great family history progress, make use of a research plan.

• A research plan would typically be preceded by a research question.
• The question is the research goal you have in mind.
• What is it that you wish to find out? What is it that you wish to accomplish? Write it down. This is your research question.
• Next you need to make a plan as to how you are going to go about this. Your plan will include the steps you need to take and the sources that you need to consult in order to look for information to help to answer your research question.
• If you don't know the steps you need to take, or the sources you need to consult, then these are the first steps of your research plan - to find out what is required.

A research plan is invaluable as not only will it help to keep your research sessions focussed, it will also give you the confidence that you have researched thoroughly. If you hit a research road block, you will have a clear record of the steps that you have taken - in your research plan. And you will have lucid summaries of how your research has progressed.

This methodical clarity will enable you to reflect carefully on what you have accomplished and see what useful next step you could try. Your carefully filled in research plan will also mean that you can more readily share your research progress with others (whether family, research buddies, or a professional genealogist) if you would like to seek someone to help you.

In family history, sometimes the answer isn't easy to come by, but by adopting a careful plan you will have the knowledge that you will have done your utmost to solve your puzzle. Your research plan (and your research log - see the step on Research Logs, step 2) really will transform your family history research sessions. Over time as you use a plan and log, you will be able to look back and see all that you've done. You won't find yourself vaguely re-treading old ground, fruitlessly picking at the same bush; instead you will know what you've done, and know what you need to do next. Your genealogy knowledge, progress and confidence will grow dramatically - we promise! 

Note: each time you start a new piece of research set up a new research plan. Also, expect your plan to change and evolve as you get going on the research. This is fine. Just keep updating your research notes and you'll find that you easily keep track of what you're doing.

Step 9: Sorting your digital family history files

Your digital files – those downloads of documents and photos – can be just as much of a mess as the pile of papers. Again, a little order will help to bring calm, if you’re feeling the genealogy chaos.

How do we recommend you begin to sort your files out?

We recommend keeping your folder structure as simple as you can. The reason for this is that your computer is excellent at sorting material, and has great search functionality too.

Having many folders means that you run into the problem of having to decide where to file a document that relates to many people, and you run the risk of using up unnecessary digital storage space. For instance, if you have a digital copy of a marriage certificate do you decide to store it in the bride’s folder or the groom’s, or both. If you have just one folder for documents you don’t need to make this decision.

That said, many genealogists like to order their genealogy files by grandparental branches, or by surnames – if this is a system that appeals to you, then use it.

You may also like to set up folders for specific projects - these could include research topics that you are currently working on. On completion of the project you may like to copy the media (documents etc that you've accrued to your main documents folder) so that you have a one-stop shop.

Do what suits you. The better you like the system the more likely you are to use it consistently and efficiently!

How do we recommend organising your core family history folders?

1. Set up a folder called ‘My family history’. Within that have a folder called ‘My family history documents’, another folder called ‘My family history photos’, and a third folder for admin called ‘My family history admin’.
2. In ‘My family history documents’ you put all your digital downloads and photos of documents. 
3. In ‘My family history photos’ you put all the digital photos, including photos of old photos.
4. In ‘My family history admin’ you put your research log (if you are having a digital research log, rather than a paper notebook). You can include any other administrative files in this folder too, as suits you.

Thoughts on digital file names ...

It could be that your files are a jumble, but gradually you can work on naming your files in a logical manner, for instance, with the file name starting with the surname, so that all the files for that family can be sorted appropriately by your computer.

Alternatively, many genealogists prefer to name their files with the year at the start of the file name so that the documents are ordered chronologically. This is an extremely logical and valid means of naming your files.

As ever, a consistent system will be the most helpful one to you.

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Step 10: Time travel with your family history

As family historians we often say - our family history is so much more than names and dates, so much more than just the family tree chart (though we do love those). And of course our family history is so much more than just these things. We need the context to gain a better understanding of our ancestors' lives; we need the context to tell their stories.

A great way to fill out your family history is to learn about the eras our ancestors once lived in.

Use your amazing research skills to look anew at those familiar records to see what else they can tell you about the period in which your ancestor once lived.

Resources such as newspapers, trade directories (and those classic vintage advertisements), relevant museums, history books can all gives us clues to what life was like in times gone by.

In this step, focus on one of your ancestors  and immerse yourself in their era. Alternatively, you may like to focus on an entire household, or even a community. You decide your remit, but the goal is to learn more about the times they lived through. The backdrop to their story.

Step 11: Walk in your ancestors' footsteps

This is your chance to learn about the locations your ancestors once lived. To do this, maps will be your go-to resource.

1. Track down maps to walk the streets and lanes of your ancestors' localities at the times they lived there. 
2. Gather as many maps as you can, so that you can see how the area evolved over time - gradually seeing the coming of the railways and road networks; new builds going up in the area etc.
3. Look too for notable buildings in the locality. Did your ancestor live near the workhouse or railway station? Are the properties crowded in, or set spaciously with large gardens? Are they near the centre of town, or in a remote hamlet? What can you tell about the area from these simple things noted on a historic map?
4. Make a note of the places of worship and burial grounds - places that would likely have been a regular feature in your ancestors' lives, not to mention the location of their baptisms, marriages and burials.
5. Whether or not your ancestors were employed in that line of work, major industries (coal, textiles etc) of the area would have impacted everyone's lives - whether that's impacting the air quality, the soundscape, the community vibe, or providing opportunities for supporting occupations.

How to go about learning about your ancestors' localities

• Within the step of learning about your ancestors' localities - you can drill down as far as you wish, learning about the community, street, right down to their home.
• You may wish to focus on their place of employment, place of education, or place of worship in this step.
• You choose: research, enjoy, and watch  your understanding of your ancestors' lives blossom.

Step 12: Reflect on your family history findings

Take time this week to reflect on what you've found. In family history, as in life, it's easy to go hurtling on through the days. But a little time reflecting on what we've accomplished so far can be both very enjoyable and very rewarding.

The shape that your reflection takes is up to you.

You may just wish to peruse your family tree or your research log, noting how far you've come.

You may peruse, but with a specific goal in mind - such as identifying family history stories you'd like to write up.

You may wish to do an inventory of your tree, noting branches for which you need to build it out and add in your ancestors' siblings, or adding in key details. For instance do you have ancestors for whom you've only got the birth, marriage and death index details, but you would benefit from ordering the certificate? Make a list, and little by little you can fill out your tree in this way.

Lastly, you may spot puzzle-points in your tree, places where your research became 'stuck'. But as the months and years go by, you will learn/have learnt more about family history. Looking at the brick wall in your research again, you may find that you know the answer and can pick up that research thread.

We hope you find the Family Tree 12 step family history research plan really helpful for your family history.

If you would like to be emailed a step, per week, so that you can weave the plan into your regular research, just sign up to the free Family Tree enewsletter, and the next tip will be coming to your inbox soon! Enjoy!

PS If you have tips and tactics you enjoy using in your genealogy, to help keep your research organised, we'd love to hear, and will give you a shout out, sharing selected good ideas with fellow family historians in future issues of the Family Tree enewsletter or via our Family Tree channels.

How to find the other steps of the 12-step family history plan

For Part 1 (Steps 1 to 2) of the 12-step family history plan, click here.

For Part 2 (Steps 3 to 7) of the 12-step family history plan, click here.

Sign up to the FREE Family Tree enewsletter and we’ll email you your step of the week, every week. Just a handy reminder for you!