A genealogy research plan is a short written document that states one specific question about an ancestor, summarises what you already know, lists the records likely to answer the question, and tracks each search and its result in a research log. To make one for the new year, choose two or three focused goals rather than “research the whole family”, break each into monthly tasks, and review progress every few weeks. A one-page plan per question is enough.
This guide includes a fill-in template, worked examples of good and weak goals, and a quarter-by-quarter schedule for 2027.
Why a Plan Beats Random Searching
Most family history time is lost to repetition: searching the same database twice, re-reading a census page you already saved, or chasing an interesting cousin while the original question stays unanswered. A plan fixes three problems at once. It narrows your attention to one question, it reminds you which sources you have already checked, and it gives you a record you can hand to someone else if you stop.
Step 1: Write a Specific Research Question
The question is the heart of the plan. It should name one person, one fact and, ideally, a time and place.
| Too broad | Specific and answerable |
|---|---|
| Find out about the Murphy family | Who were the parents of Patrick Murphy, born about 1868 in County Cork, who married in Boston in 1891? |
| Learn more about Grandma’s side | When and where did Rosa Bianchi arrive in the United States? |
| Research Great-Grandad’s war | Which unit did Albert Hughes serve in between 1916 and 1918? |
If a goal feels too big, split it. “Trace the Murphys back to Ireland” becomes four questions: confirm Patrick’s age, find his marriage record, find his arrival, find his baptism.
Step 2: Summarise What You Already Know
List every known fact about the person with its source. Be honest about which “facts” come only from family memory. A line such as “Born 1868, Cork (per Aunt May; no document yet)” tells you exactly where the gap is. The discipline in creating a source list for a family biography is the same skill applied here.
Step 3: List the Records That Might Answer It
Brainstorm every record type that could hold the answer, then put them in order, starting with those that are free, online and most likely to help. For a question about parents, that list might include:
- Marriage record (often names both sets of parents)
- Death certificate (may name parents, though the informant may have guessed)
- Obituary
- Census records showing the person as a child in a household
- Church baptism record
- Immigration and naturalization records
For each, note where it is held, whether it is online, and the cost if any.
Step 4: Keep a Research Log
A log records every search, including the ones that found nothing. “Negative” results are valuable because they stop you repeating the search. A simple log has six columns:
| Date | Source searched | Search terms / range | Result | File saved as | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-01-09 | 1900 census, Suffolk Co., MA | Murphy, Patrick, b. 1865–1871 | Found household, Boston Ward 7 | 1900-census-murphy-boston.jpg | Check immigration year given |
| 2027-01-16 | Massachusetts marriages 1891 | Murphy + Kelly | Nothing found | n/a | Try 1890 and 1892 |
A spreadsheet works well; so does a paper notebook kept in a family history binder alongside your copies of documents.
Weigh the evidence as you go
Not every record carries equal weight. A baptism entry made a few days after a birth is usually more reliable for a birth date than an age given on a death certificate sixty years later. In your log, note who created each record, when, and how close they were to the event. When two sources disagree, record both and explain which you prefer and why. That reasoning is what turns a pile of documents into a conclusion other family members can trust.
Step 5: Set Goals for the Year
Choose two or three questions for the year. More than that and none get finished. Make each goal measurable and time-bound: “Find Patrick Murphy’s marriage record by the end of March” is a goal; “work on the Murphys” is not.
The same principles that make learning goals stick apply to genealogy. This guide to setting learning goals that last beyond January explains why small, scheduled, reviewable goals outlast ambitious ones.
A Quarter-by-Quarter Plan for 2027
January to March: Organise and ask
- Choose your questions and write a one-page plan for each.
- Gather what you already have: digital files, papers and photos. Rename files so you can find them.
- Interview the oldest relatives about the people in your questions. Their memories point to the right records.
April to June: Search online
- Work through the free online sources on your lists, logging every search.
- Order any certificates you need from vital records offices.
- Review your plans at the end of June and adjust.
July to September: Go local
- Contact libraries, archives, churches and cemeteries for records that are not online.
- Plan any research trip or cemetery visit with a list of exactly what to find.
October to December: Write it up
- Write a short summary of what you found for each question, with sources.
- Share it with the family before the holidays, when people are most interested in hearing it.
- Choose next year’s questions from the gaps you uncovered.
If you prefer a shorter burst, the 30-day family history project plan works as a focused first month within this yearly structure.
Common Reasons Plans Stall
- The question is too big. If you have made no progress in two months, split the question into smaller ones.
- A brick wall. When every obvious record is exhausted, research the person’s siblings, neighbours and witnesses at their marriage. Relatives often left the records your ancestor did not.
- No scheduled time. Put research sessions in the calendar like any other appointment, even if each one is only an hour.
- Too many open tabs. Finish logging one search before you start the next. Unlogged finds are the ones that go missing.
Research Plan Template
Copy this into a document and fill one in for each question:
- Research question: one sentence, one person, one fact.
- Known facts and sources: bullet list, each with its source or “family memory”.
- Working theory: what you think the answer might be, and why.
- Records to search, in order: record type, where held, online or not, cost.
- Research log: date, source, terms, result, file name, next step.
- Conclusion: the answer, the evidence for it, and any conflicting evidence.
- Next question: what this answer opens up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a genealogy research plan include?
A specific question, a summary of known facts with sources, a list of records to search in priority order, a research log of every search and result, and a conclusion section.
How many genealogy goals should I set for the year?
Two or three focused goals is realistic for most people with jobs and families. You can always add another when one is finished.
Do I need special software for a research log?
No. A spreadsheet, a word processor table or a paper notebook all work. Consistency matters more than the tool.
Why should I log searches that found nothing?
Negative results stop you from repeating the same search months later and show other researchers what has already been ruled out. They can also be evidence in themselves, for example that a family had left an area before a certain date.
When is a good time to start a genealogy research plan?
Any time, but the start of a new year is convenient because you can schedule goals by quarter and review them at natural points.