My Genealogy Workbook
Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Family Surnames
Name Email
Date Started
At History Rooted, our mission is to make genealogy research more accessible and manageable for everyone. Your family history is more than DNA. Research helps you uncover meaningful stories and connections in your family’s journey.
Using This Workbook
01
PREPARE
Take the time to think about what you want to accomplish and your research goals. Sit down, consider what you already know, gather documents, and speak to others who may know about your family history. Use the reflection and interview workbook sheets to help you get started.
02
PLAN
Plan your research activities and time. This is an undated planner, so don’t feel pressured to have an activity every month, but do think about when you can research and how much time you have
03
RESEARCH
Do the research. This is the fun part where you uncover new details and mysteries and start to define your family’s journey through history. Use the research section to guide you through the process of researching various sources and records to find your family’s story.
04
DOCUMENT & RECORD
Keep track of what you find. This workbook has sheets that allow you to document which records you searched and when, places you visited and stories you collect. Recording your findings keeps you on track and helps prevent duplication of work.
Document & Record
Document all of your activity, not just your results. Record sources, dates, research activity, and ideas as you search.
Compare & Confirm
Historical information and oral stories can and do often vary. Look for additional sources to confirm your final results. Don't assume.
Be Sensitive
You should be sensitive to others when researching and sharing information. Historical events can be triggering for some.
Be Openminded
Be curious as you research and stay open to new possibilities and discovering new information.
Don't Give Up
Family history research can be time consuming and frustrating, but don't give up.
Prepare
B e p r e p a r e d f o r u n e x p e c t e d d i s c o v e r i e s .
Suggestions to help you prepare to start your family history research journey.
Set Clear Goals
Determine what you hope to achieve with your research. Are you looking to trace your lineage back to a specific ancestor or perhaps connect with living relatives?
Gather Existing Family Documents
Collect any family documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and old family letters or diaries. These can provide invaluable information about your ancestors.
Familiarize Yourself with Genealogy Resources
Explore online databases such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and the National Archives. Understand what resources are available and how to access them.
Be Open to Surprises
Genealogy research can reveal unexpected connections and stories. Be flexible and willing to pursue new leads as they emerge.
When working through this section, consider these research tips.
Be Sensitive. Be Openminded.
Don’t Give Up.
What do you know?
Mysteries to solve?
Stories to confirm?
Places to investigate?
Oldest known ancestors?
Oldest living relatives?
Who can you talk to?
Important family events?
On-Site Research
Name Location Notes
Plan
Plan your family history journey.
Planning
Below are a few suggestions to help you plan your time, activity, and research goals.
Create a Research Plan
Outline the steps you plan to take, including which resources to use and in what order. This will help you stay organized and focused.
Set Time Aside
Plan your monthly research activities by the month and week. List the ancestors you want to focus on for that period, your burning questions, and any sources you plan to search!
Be Flexible
Plans change. Researching family history should be enjoyable and fun, so don’t feel pressured to research if time does not allow it. Keep your schedule flexible, research when you can, and have fun.
Don’t Give Up
Researching family history can be frustrating and challenging and you will face roadblocks, but don’t give up. Pause, take some time to reflect and refresh but continue searching when you are ready
Document & Record When working through this section, consider these research tips.
Don’t Give Up
Month
Define your history, but don’t allow it to define your future.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Priorities
Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Month Of:
Week:
Schedule
Week:
Week:
Week:
Week:
Ancestor Focus
Research Questions
Research Sources
Research
Researching family history is a journey through stories and time.
Research
Researching family history can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be daunting and challenging. Here are some tips to help you get started
Identify and Focus on One Ancestor Line
Start with one family line or branch to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on a specific surname or region can make your research more manageable.
Interview Relatives
Speak with family members, especially older generations, to gather stories, names, dates, and locations. They may have insights or memories that aren't recorded anywhere else.
Stay Patient and Flexible
Genealogy research can be time-consuming and sometimes yields unexpected results. Be open to exploring different paths as new information arises.
Embrace the Stories and Oral History
Beyond the dates and names, focus on the stories that bring your ancestors to life. These narratives offer a deeper understanding of your heritage and create a meaningful connection between generations.
When working through this section, consider these research tips.
Be Sensitive. Be Openminded.
Don’t Give Up.
Ancestor Line
Family Surnames
E v e r y a n c e s t o r h a s a s t o r y t o t e l l . T h e j o u r n e y i s i n f i n d i n g i t .
Ancestor LineReflection
What do you know?
Mysteries to solve?
Stories to confirm?
Places to investigate?
Oldest known ancestors?
Oldest living relatives?
Who can you talk to?
Important family events?
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Interview Prompts
What was your favorite school memory?
Do you remember any stories about major historical events impacting our family?
What do you know about our family's origins?
Have you ever heard about any famous or notable relatives?
Are there any family secrets or mysteries you’ve heard about?
Is there a particular ancestor you feel especially connected to? Why?
What were the names and birthplaces of your parents and grandparents?
InterviewNotes
InterviewNotes
Census Tracker
Notes:
Notes:
ResearchNotes
Ancestor Details
NAME: B / D :
QUESTIONS / BRICKWALLS R E C O R D S S E A R C H E D
RESEARCH NOTES
CONCLUSIONS / THEORIES
C e n s u s
P r o b a t e / C o u r t / W i l l
M a r r i a g e
M i l i t a r y
L a n d
TO DO
Family Notes Pre-Civil War
Pre-Civil War Research Findings
Ancestry Charts
E v e r y m a n i s a q u o t a t i o n f r o m a l l h i s a n c e s t o r s .
R a l p h W a l d o E m e r s o n
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Name of Spouse
Notes:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Name of Spouse
Notes:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place:
Born: Place: Died: Place: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D: B/D:
ChartNotes
Document
Plan your family history journey.
Documenting and sharing what you find is the ultimate goal of family history research. So, be sure to record your activities and prepare to share the stories you uncovered
Organize Your Information
Use this workbook along with document binders to organize the information you've collected. Create sections for each family member or line, noting relationships and key facts.
Verify Sources
To ensure the accuracy of your family tree, always verify your sources. Cross-reference information from multiple records and be wary of assumptions. This diligence will help you build a reliable and authentic family history
Share Your Research
Don’t forget to share your research. This workbook has project trackers that allow you to plan special events and moments such as presentations, reunions, or special gifts Don’t hesitate to share what you find
When working through this section, consider these research tips.
Be Sensitive.
Be Openminded.
Document & Record
Project Title / Description:
Task List
Notes
Project Tracker