Family History Research Planning

Strategic genealogy research planning following the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). Provides methodology guidance, citation templates, source evaluation frameworks, and evidence-based research planning for family historians.

Perfect for genealogists, family historians, and anyone conducting serious ancestry research who wants to follow professional standards and best practices.

Core Principles

Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS)

Five Elements of GPS:

Reasonably Exhaustive Research
- Search all relevant sources
- Check multiple record types
- Consider alternative spellings
- Examine collateral lines
Complete and Accurate Citations
- Source every claim
- Follow "Evidence Explained" standards
- Enable others to find your sources
- Distinguish between original and derivative
Thorough Analysis
- Evaluate source reliability
- Consider information accuracy
- Assess evidence quality
- Test alternative hypotheses
Resolution of Conflicts
- Identify contradictions
- Weigh conflicting evidence
- Explain discrepancies
- Reach reasoned conclusions
Soundly Written Conclusion
- State your finding clearly
- Explain your reasoning
- Acknowledge limitations
- Document evidence trail

How It Works

1. Information Gathering

What do you know about your ancestor?
- Name: John Smith
- Birth: ~1820, possibly Virginia
- Death: 1892, Kentucky
- Spouse: Mary (unknown maiden name)
- Children: 5 (names and dates needed)

2. Research Strategy

Recommended search sequence:
1. Find death record (1892 Kentucky)
2. Search cemetery records for burial
3. Check 1850-1890 census (track movements)
4. Look for marriage record (estimate 1840s)
5. Search land records (property ownership)
6. Check probate (will or estate inventory)

3. Source Evaluation

For each source found:
- Original or derivative?
- Primary or secondary information?
- Direct or indirect evidence?
- Reliability assessment
- Citation creation

4. Evidence Analysis

Compile findings:
- What supports birth in Virginia?
- What conflicts with this theory?
- What's still unknown?
- What are alternative explanations?

Usage Examples

Start new research:

I'm researching my great-great-grandfather James Wilson,
born around 1845 in Ohio. I know he married Sarah (unknown)
and had 3 children. Help me create a research plan.

Cite a source:

I found James Wilson in the 1870 census. How should I cite
this according to Evidence Explained standards?

Evaluate evidence:

I have three different birth years for James: 1843, 1845,
and 1847. Help me analyze these conflicting sources.

Plan next steps:

I've exhausted census and vital records for James. What
should I search next to find his parents?

Citation Examples

Census Records

Evidence Explained Format:

1870 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Ohio, population schedule,
Cincinnati Ward 12, p. 147 (stamped), dwelling 1,204, family 1,305,
James Wilson household; digital image, Ancestry.com
(https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 March 2024);
citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 1209.

Vital Records

Birth Certificate:

Ohio, Hamilton County, Birth Certificates, 1867-1908,
certificate no. 4392 (1875), Mary E. Wilson; Hamilton County
Probate Court, Cincinnati; FHL microfilm 310,439.

Church Records

Baptism Record:

First Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati, Ohio), "Baptismal Register,
1850-1890," p. 47, entry for Sarah Jane Wilson, baptized 3 June 1872;
church archives, Cincinnati.

Research Planning Framework

Phase 1: What You Know

Names (all variants and spellings)
Dates (with uncertainty ranges)
Places (specific as possible)
Relationships (parents, siblings, children)

Phase 2: What You Need

Missing birth/death dates
Unknown maiden names
Parents' identities
Migration timeline

Phase 3: Where to Look

Census (every available year)
Vital records (birth, marriage, death)
Church records (baptism, marriage, burial)
Land records (deeds, tax lists)
Probate (wills, estate files)
Newspapers (obituaries, notices)
Military (service, pension)

Phase 4: How to Search

Spelling variations (Smyth, Smythe, Schmidt)
Nearby counties (records cross borders)
Collateral relatives (siblings, in-laws)
Local histories (published genealogies)

Source Reliability Framework

Original vs. Derivative

Original: Created at the time (birth certificate from 1875)
Derivative: Copy or transcript (database transcription)

Primary vs. Secondary Information

Primary: Informant had direct knowledge (bride's age on marriage record)
Secondary: Informant didn't witness (father's birthplace on death certificate)

Direct vs. Indirect Evidence

Direct: Answers question directly (birth record gives birth date)
Indirect: Requires inference (age in census implies birth year)

Reliability Hierarchy:

Highest: Original source, primary information, direct evidence
         (Birth certificate signed by attending physician)

High:    Original source, primary information, indirect evidence
         (Marriage record implying ages)

Medium:  Derivative source, primary information, direct evidence
         (Database copy of will)

Low:     Derivative source, secondary information, indirect evidence
         (Family tree on Ancestry with no citations)

Conflict Resolution

Example: Three Different Birth Years

Source 1: 1870 Census
- Age: 25 → Birth: ~1845
- Reliability: Original, secondary, indirect
- Notes: Age often estimated

Source 2: Death Certificate (1920)
- Age at death: 75 → Birth: ~1845
- Reliability: Original, secondary, indirect
- Notes: Informant was daughter (may not know)

Source 3: Gravestone
- Born: 1843
- Reliability: Original (?), unknown, direct
- Notes: Could be engraver error

Analysis:
Two independent sources (census, death cert) agree on ~1845.
Gravestone is least reliable due to frequent engraver errors.

Conclusion:
James likely born 1845 ± 1 year. Continue searching for birth
record or baptism to confirm.

Research Log Template

Research Log: James Wilson

Date: 2024-03-15
Repository: FamilySearch.org
Source: 1870 U.S. Census
Location: Hamilton County, Ohio
Result: Found James Wilson, age 25, born Ohio, laborer
Next Steps: Search 1860 census for parents' household

Date: 2024-03-16
Repository: Hamilton County Probate Court
Source: Marriage Records, 1850-1875
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Result: No marriage found under Wilson/Sarah (try 1875-1880)
Next Steps: Expand date range, check neighboring counties

Evidence Evaluation

For each piece of information, ask:

Who created this record? (Government official, church, family member)
When was it created? (At the time of event, or years later)
What was their source of knowledge? (Witnessed it, heard from participant, guessed)
Do they have reason to lie/distort? (Legal implications, social stigma, memory failure)
Does this agree with other evidence? (Corroborates or conflicts)

Best Practices

Always:

✅ Gather information from the user first
✅ Create research strategy before searching
✅ Cite every source properly
✅ Evaluate evidence systematically
✅ Document what you searched (even if nothing found)
✅ Consider alternative hypotheses

Never:

❌ Immediately search the web without planning
❌ Accept information without sources
❌ Ignore conflicting evidence
❌ Assume spelling was consistent
❌ Skip negative search results in log
❌ Stop at first answer found

Recommended Resources

Online Databases:

FamilySearch.org (free worldwide records)
Ancestry.com (largest subscription service)
MyHeritage.com (international focus)
Findmypast.com (British and Irish records)
LDSgenealogy.com (specialized databases)

Learning Resources:

FamilySearch Wiki (free research guides)
Evidence Explained (citation guide)
Genealogical Proof Standard manual
Local genealogical societies

Note: The skill references these but doesn't execute automatic searches without user approval.

About This Skill

This skill was created by emaynard for the genealogy community.

Philosophy: Genealogy is detective work requiring systematic evidence gathering, critical analysis, and professional documentation. This skill helps researchers follow the Genealogical Proof Standard to produce credible, well-documented family histories.

Methodology: Based on established GPS standards, Evidence Explained citation formats, and best practices from professional genealogists.

Strategic genealogy research planning following Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), with citation guidance, source evaluation, and evidence-based methodology.