The best way for me to analyze genealogical information is to create a picture, table or a chart. It allows me to see patterns, to see gaps in my research, and to make tentative conclusions.
Even in engineering school, visualizing math problems helped me to solve them.
We all have different learning styles and styles of intelligence. Its been a natural progression for me to apply this knowledge to my genealogy.
Some of the basic documents we begin with in genealogy are charts—descendant and ancestor charts. Many genealogy journal articles (like those in NGS Quarterly) include the use of charts.
The third step in the Genealogical Proof Standard involves analysis and correlation of the evidence. Tables and charts are perfect for helping to do this.
I create my tables in Microsoft Word, although I may use Excel if I have lots of data. Here are some of the tables and charts I created for my own research:
- Birthplace Tracking Chart: This table lists birthplaces shown for a family across a set of census records.
Birthplace Tracking
- 1870 Neighbor Chart: Analyzing the neighbors in 1870 is especially crucial for African American research. This is a snippet from my 1870 census community tracker:
1870 Neighbor Table
- Tax Tracking Chart:
Tax Tracking
- Land Records Chart: These can be used to track each piece of land for an ancestor or family.
- Slaveholder Tracking: I do lots of different slaveholder tracking. I make charts of “potential” slaveholders, showing their slaveholdings from census and other records. I have charts of their families, their transactions involving slaves, and their probate processes.
Slaveowner Tracking
There are many websites that provide blank charts of all types for your genealogical research. Cyndi’s List has a category for Supplies, Charts, Forms. Ancestry, Family Tree Magazine , and Rootsweb have assorted charts and forms.
I also sell a set of downloadable blank tables (Microsoft Word) for organizing genealogical documents, and I offer a version for those researching enslaved persons.
I encourage you to take a look at some of these downloadable charts, and don’t be afraid to create your own.
The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination.
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.
[…] are Family Tree Maker (FTM) and Legacy. Being a librarian and an analyst at heart, I enjoy using charts and tables to organize information as […]
I love your charts. Here I was trying to create my own. At this point in life, I’m all for not reinventing the wheel if I don’t have to.
Mavis, you are welcome to any and everything! If you have some different ones, post them up & we can create a little “genalogy chart” share! LOL
Would like to see some of your charts
Birthplace Tracking Chart: I’ll organize birthplaces from a set of census records (say 1870-1930) in order to figure the most likely place of birth
Birthdate Tracking Chart: Using a set of census records to estimate a birthdate range for individuals
1870 Neighbor Chart: Because analyzing the neighbors in 1870 is especially crucial for African-American research, I have a chart where I track them
Tax Tracking Chart: Self-explanatory
Land Records Chart: I saw this in Emily Croom’s book Unpuzzling Your Past. She made a chart where she traced each piece of land for an ancestor, but also recorded where that land went (i.e., showing the person selling the land, and showing who bought or inherited that same piece of land). I do charts like these for all the members of a particular family, for example.
Would like to see some of your charts. how about a link on this page to them
Thanks
Birthplace Tracking Chart: I’ll organize birthplaces from a set of census records (say 1870-1930) in order to figure the most likely place of birth
Birthdate Tracking Chart: Using a set of census records to estimate a birthdate range for individuals
1870 Neighbor Chart: Because analyzing the neighbors in 1870 is especially crucial for African-American research, I have a chart where I track them
Tax Tracking Chart: Self-explanatory
Land Records Chart: I saw this in Emily Croom’s book Unpuzzling Your Past. She made a chart where she traced each piece of land for an ancestor, but also recorded where that land went (i.e., showing the person selling the land, and showing who bought or inherited that same piece of land). I do charts like these for all the members of a particular family, for example.
At your request, I’ve added several….enjoy!
In your experience, what’s the best database/program on the market that helps with the types of analysis you describe?
I use several different things. I use mostly Word but also Excel, and my genealogy program is Rootsmagic, which has built in ability to do lots of different types of analysis. I’ve found that what works best is whatever tool you’re most comfortable with.
Robyn