Organize Your Research Using Your
Data Management Program- Legacy,
Roots Magic, Ancestral Quest
By Marilyn Thomsen July 25 2012
OBJECTIVE: Students improve research skills by using
additional tools in their data management program that help
organize their research. By having organized, shareable,
portable information, student’s research will not be lost and
will be foundation on which the next generations of
researchers can build.
All Data Management Programs
are designed to help organize all the pieces of information
that bring a family together. They have important tools that
are not part of new.familysearch/FamilyTree. These tools
are:
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David Dilts, “Research Logs: the
Most Important Tool for
Organizing Your Family
History.” (FS Learning Center)
The most important thing you
can do is seek and follow the
guidance of the Holy Ghost.
These promptings should be writing
into your research log as soon as
possible so things will not be forgotten,
lost or not follow-through with.
 Please try for six months to fill out a
log BEFORE looking at each source
 After each search, summarize the
results on the Log.
 After six month, pause to reflect if
using logs has helped speed and
improve your work.
To Do List/ research Log
Notes/Sources with your analysis that can be shared
Documents linked to all pertinent people
Organizes and labels your digital documents
Personal contact information for living people
Index of people in your database, living and dead
Links to maps
Timelines
DNA information
Organizes temple work and easily adds information to and from FamilySearch.
Organize Documents
Current version of GEDCOMS files don’t store the document links
 You can’t share the links if you split your database
 Document links are only shared in a backup of your data.
Organize folders in the computer DOCUMENTS section not in PROGRAM folder.
 Use automatic backups.
 Label and extract pertinent information into your Data Program incase documents are not attached
 Refer to the folder and group where saved
 Label folders in the folders consistently
i. CAPITAL Surname> Personal name> Record type> Location, Date
ii. BUSBY Cemeteries AL
iii. BUSBY Charles Death Cert GA
iv. BUSBY Wade Census 1850 GA
Create To-Do Lists tied to the person
All programs have a To-Do List/Research Log that can be attached to one or multiple people
 Print the lists by repository BYU or Family history Library or Court House
 Record impressions immediately, about the document you located, whether it has information or
not!
 Added the information to all pertinent people.
Sync and organize temple work
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Import/export
Legacy tracks temple cards
Legacy adds a source when your import information
Webinars
All Data Management Programs videos available from home for adding sources, using research logs and other
features.
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LEGACY: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Videos.asp
ROOTSMAGIC: http://www.rootsmagic.com/learn/
ANCESTRAL QUEST: http://www.ancquest.com/tutorial.htm
Working with others
A problem with a data management program is SILO storage. You have information, but you don’t share it
with others. Create a system where you regularly upload and share information in an online tree. What if your
not sure? Appeal to others to help verify.
Ancestral Quest provides an online tree where family members can reserve an ancestor they are researching,
and then update that information for others to see.
GEDCOM are changing, but currently you cannot share the document links.
Barbara Robertson
The SUCCESS in GENEALOGY RESEARCH steps are:
Start with what you already know
1. Organize and identify what you already have.
2. Focus on one family and one person at the time
3. Make a timeline of that personal’s life: include all events, places, dates, sources. Note historical events
that will impact this family such as war, migration, financial depression
4. Make a list of biographical information about that person. Include occupations, associates, religion,
disabilities and ethnic background.
Understand sources and resources to locate available to you.
1. Sources: the actual concrete objects that record genealogical information about your ancestor.
2. Access to these sources: Relatives, Databases, Microfilms, Court Houses, Churches
Create a research plan
1. Plans that are not written down are easily forgotten, A plan that is not written is no more than a dream.
2. Researches that stop after looking at records that are easily access from their computer at home are
missing 80% of possible sources.
3. A good Research plan:
 What do you want to know? – stay focused, but make notes as you go of additional information
 List of sources already been searched and the results.
 Lists resources that may help you locate the sources. (Internet, library, archives, people)
 A list of what is already known that will help you solve the problem
 Information that will help you find the source in a specific repository (example: call number)
Carefully examine each source
1. Identify names dates, places, events and relationships.
2. Look for biographical information that identifies the person and could lead to other records.
3. Make good notes
a. Make a copy and file it so you can return to that document.
b. Write down questions, problems or ideas about the source. Your inspiration shouldn’t
evaporate.
c. Add items to your to do lists.
Evaluate evidence from each piece of information
 Is it original or derivation? Is it primary or secondary? Is it relevant?
 Is it direct or indirect evidence?
 Write do your evaluation.
Systematically record the information in your genealogy program and file each document.
 Organize a filing system
 Make a backup system and plan
Search all possible Sources
 Look for all possible records for a given place and time
 Learn to use new record types
 Search for everyone with the same surname, eliminate names and families that are not yours—keep
notes.
 Search for Family, Associates, and Neighbors (FAN Club) and collateral family who will lead you to
clues.