What to Do Before Starting Professional Genealogy Research

Before beginning professional genealogy research, take some time to gather what you already know about your family. This may include names, approximate dates, and places associated with parents, grandparents, and earlier generations. Even partial or uncertain information is useful and can help guide research decisions.

Completing a basic pedigree chart can be especially helpful. It provides a clear overview of family relationships and highlights where information is missing or uncertain. These gaps often help shape the focus of early research.

These starting details help establish a framework for research and often reveal where additional investigation is most needed.

Start with what you already know

Talk to family members while you can

Conversations with family members are often one of the most valuable starting points for genealogy research. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older relatives may recall names, locations, relationships, or stories that are not recorded elsewhere.

When speaking with family members, it can be helpful to ask about details such as full names, nicknames, places lived, occupations, religious affiliations, and any known migrations. Even informal recollections can provide important clues that guide documentary research later.

Gather documents and photographs

Any documents or photographs you already have can be helpful, even if they seem incomplete or informal. Birth, marriage, and death records, immigration papers, family Bibles, and old correspondence can all provide valuable information.

Photographs may include handwritten notes, studio names, locations, or dates that add context. Digital scans or phone photos are sufficient at this stage—original condition is not critical.

If documents are missing or incomplete, that is common and does not prevent meaningful research from moving forward and in fact the can still be helpful.

Write down your questions or goals

Taking time to identify what you hope to learn can make professional research more focused and efficient. Your goals might include identifying an unknown ancestor, confirming family connections, understanding DNA results, or resolving conflicting information.

Clear questions help determine which records are most relevant and how research time is best spent.

What not to worry about

Many people hesitate to begin genealogy research because they feel their information is incomplete or unreliable. It is not necessary to have every detail confirmed before starting. Incorrect family trees, missing records, or confusing DNA results are common and can often be addressed through careful research.

The purpose of an initial consultation is to assess what information is available, clarify uncertainties, and determine realistic next steps—not to judge the quality of existing research.

Professional research is designed to address uncertainty, not require complete or flawless information at the outset.

Preparing in advance can make genealogy research more productive, but it is only the starting point. Professional research builds on the information you provide and applies careful analysis, documentation, and evidence-based methods to answer your questions.

If you are unsure how to proceed or would like guidance on your next steps, a free consultation can help clarify whether professional genealogy research is appropriate for your situation.