Use the Information

Principles of Family History Research  '''Step 5. Use the Information'''

Step 5: Evaluate and Use the information.

After you have searched records you are ready to use the information you found.

To make best use of the information—


 * Evaluate what you found.
 * Transfer needed information to the appropriate forms.
 * Organize the new records.
 * Share your findings.

When you have completed this step, you will have new information organized on family group record and/or pedigree charts. You may also have recorded the information in personal or family history notes.

When you have learned all you wish to learn about a family, share your information with others by contributing it to Internet databases like New FamilySearch, or by preparing and publishing a book, or article, or putting up an Internet site.

You will also be ready to start the process again and return to Step 1 to research another objective or individual.

Table of Contents for Step 5. Use the Information
1 Evaluate the Evidence


 * 1.1 Relevance of the Record
 * 1.2 Category of the Record
 * 1.3 Format of the Record
 * 1.4 Nature of the Information
 * 1.5 Directness of the Evidence
 * 1.6 Consistency and Clarity of the Facts
 * 1.7 Likelihood of Events 1.8 Establishing Proof
 * 1.8.1 Clear and convincing evidence
 * 1.8.2 Genealogical Proof Standard

2 Transfer the Information


 * 2.1 Cite Your Sources

3 Organize the New Records


 * 3.1 Using a Computer for Genealogy

4 Share the Information


 * 4.1 Family
 * 4.2 Online Databases Like New FamilySearch
 * 4.3 Put Up a Genealogy Web Page
 * 4.4 Write a Family History
 * 4.5 Participate in a Family or Surname Association
 * 4.6 Donate Your Files

5 Mormon Genealogy

6 Restart the Research Cycle

7 For Further Reading