Basic Steps for Starting and Progressing With Your Research

by Brian Hutchison, B.Comm., C.M.A.
Gen-Find Research Associates
Date: February 1, 1998 (Edmonton, Alberta)

The basic steps for undertaking your genealogical research are very simple and straight-forward. However, they all must be undertaken and in the sequence I shall state here. Not only that but you need to be effective in the steps you do undertake and that will be reflective in your technique that I have already discussed.

Therefore, the steps really incorporate the six following elements:

• Using your developed search techniques to locate your subjects of interest;
• Interpreting your source material;
• Verifying and interpreting the facts of your source material;
• Judging the reliability of your evidence;
• Deciding whether to accept or reject the evidence; and
• Documenting your findings.

You, as a researcher, can only effectively accomplish your genealogical goals if you understand these principle steps, the technique for search and then follow them through strictly and in the order stated.