Recording Information

(last updated 07 August, 2005)

The Golden Rule of Genealogy is to start with what you know, and work your way back.  To identify what you know, you need to learn how to record your family information on special forms.  You’ll start with handwritten forms, but later, you’ll learn how to enter the information into a computer program, making it easier to change information and print reports.

Types of Forms:

1. Pedigree
2. Family Group Record
3. Research Log

This lesson will cover only Pedigrees and Family Group Records.  Research Logs will be covered during the lesson on Organizing Your Records.

How to fill out forms:

The example forms linked below contain only the most basic information fields.  If you belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please ask your ward consultant how to fill out the LDS ordinance fields on your forms.  I'll add LDS forms in a future revision.

1. Pedigree Chart  (see table-based example or text-based example)
   • A pedigree is like a family tree tipped on its side.
   • Write information about yourself in the alpha (far left) position.
   • When recording a woman's name, use her maiden name.
   • Your father goes above you, and mother goes below.
   • Dates should be recorded in this format:  day, month, year.  The month requires only three letters, but the year must be four digits.  If your birthday was November 24, 1959, write "24 Nov 1959".
   • Places should be recorded by smallest jurisdiction to largest, starting with the town. U.S. citizens should list the town, then the county, then the state, then the nation, like so: "Bethesda, Montgomery, Maryland, U.S.A.".  If you know the hospital where someone was born, do not record it here.  Any jurisdiction smaller than the town should be recorded in a separate notes page or field, or as a footnote in a family group record's Sources field.
   • Note that each position on the pedigree has a number.  You're at position #1, your dad's at #2, etc.  Look at position #8, your paternal great grandfather. If  his parents were known, another pedigree would be filled out with your great grandfather in the #1 position.  The first pedigree would be marked to indicate that a second pedigree follows:  First, the number of this chart (#1) would be recorded in the top right corner of this sheet where it says "Chart No.___".  Second, the number of the continuing pedigree (#2) would be recorded on this first pedigree, at the 8th position, where it says "No.___".  Third, the continuing pedigree would be marked as "Chart No. 2".  Fourth, the line on Chart 2 that says "Person # 1 on this chart is the same as person # ___ on chart # ___" would be altered to say "Person # 1 on this chart is the same as person # 8 on chart #1".
2. Family Group Record (see table-based example or text-based example)
   • A family group record shows a couple and their children.
   • Names, dates, and places are recorded the same as in a pedigree.
   • Children should be recorded according to birth order.

After you’ve filled out forms using your own records, gather records from your relatives. The next lesson will teach you methods to use when asking your family for their records.

Workshop: [Have students fill out pedigrees and family group records as thoroughly as they can].