Good research is the foundation of accurate family history.
Careful and systematic research helps you find the best sources, information and evidence you need to reach accurate and defensible conclusions.
Build your skills, learn techniques and apply tools for more effective research.
Research systematically and critically
Use the research planning process to define exactly what information or evidence you need. Only then choose your sources, and prioritise the ones most likely to answer your question or help you test your hypotheses.
A reasonably exhaustive search looks beyond the first or most convenient result. It weighs up multiple source types, repositories and alternatives before you’re satisfied you’ve done enough. Use both original sources and derivative sources, and understand what each can and cannot tell you.
Broaden your search beyond birth, death and marriage records. Techniques such as FFANs (Family, Friends, Associates and Neighbours) and PETs (Places, Events and Themes) help you build a wider picture of your ancestor’s life.
Articles about researching family history
Get started with these articles. They contain links to related articles.
Searching effectively
Broadening your search beyond the obvious
Five ways to expand your family history search
Finding & using different source types
For more articles about research strategies and techniques, click on the Researching Family History link on the right side of the screen when on a blog post page or use the search bar to search for a specific topic.