When I teach my classes, I start with the following list of what I call my “10 Key Genealogy Principles.“
These are the most useful techniques and strategies I have learned in my years of research. They are what continue to help me to solve my biggest genealogical puzzles.
One or more of these principles are taught at every genealogy conference and in every genealogical article. Sometimes they are called different things, but these are the skills you want to focus on growing.
I share them here with you in no particular order.
10 Key Genealogical Principles
- 1. Proof is Not A Document (It is the sum of all the relevant evidence)
- 2. Always Seek Original Sources
- 3. Always Cite Your Sources
- 4. Any Source Can Be Wrong
- 5. Search Broadly and Deeply (Use Multiple Locations, Record Types & Generations)
- 6. Research to Uncover Identities (Not to Uncover Names)
- 7. Rebuild Communities (Don’t Collect Individuals)
- 8. Use Evidence to Build A Case
- 9. Watch Your Assumptions (And Revisit them Often)
- 10. Don’t Isolate Records (View them in Context)
My fellow genealogists, I’d love to hear what principles you’d add to this list?
I am an engineer by day, but my true passion lies in genealogy. I have been a researcher, writer, lecturer and teacher for over twenty years. This blog is where I share family history methods, resources, tips and advice, with an emphasis on slave research, slavery and its aftermath. This lifelong quest has helped me to better know my family’s past. I’ve taken back– reclaimed– some of that lost memory, especially that of my enslaved ancestors. I hope you’ll sign up to receive my posts—if you do, you’ll get a free PDF with some of my favorite tips! And please do share posts that interest you.
I’m pretty new at really digging, tho I’ve been on the trail for over 20 years. I appreciate your list…and am turning it into a spreadsheet so I can keep track of what I’ve done. Thanks, Robyn!
Amen! I couldnt agree any better!!
Robyn:
I hope that every beginning genealogist will adhere to you list.
I am very pleased you added cite your sources. They are the treasure map we leave our descendants and we wouldn’t want them looking in the wrong “X” marks the spot.
To this I would hope that everyone would strive to make that a correct citation.
Great Job!
footnoteMaven
footnoteMaven, that you would drop on by my lil’ website makes me smile;)! Thanks so for your kind comments. I love your blog and am a faithful subscriber.
Yes, agreed, what a great list to follow. I seem to naturally use these every time I research.
Touche, Michael, yes that’s a good one!
Great list!
I would add one:
11. Define your question before you look for an answer.