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Archiver > APG > 2004-01 > 1074280104


From: "Mills" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] research reports
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 13:17:43 -0600
References: <BAY3-DAV135abkVB1Jd00003270@hotmail.com>


Elaine asked:
> My goal is to start writing research reports for my files. I have done
several years worth of work and I don't know where to start.
> Should I start with a document or a person? For my preliminary background,
do I begin with the first person I started with or can I start with a person
of interest?
> Is there a way to start in small chunks so this is more manageable?

Elaine, a report to one's file can be any of the above. It is essentially a
detailed description of what you have done and what you have decided. It can
analyze all the material you have on a problem or a person, it can record
the details of a segment of research you have done, it can analyze a
document or a date problem or detail *anything* you do genealogically.

The real issue is your last thought: how to do this with years of research
already done? Instead of looking at past accumulations and thinking of it as
daunting, just think of this as the first day of the rest of your research
life! If, today, you decide to work on your ancestor Sligh Fox, then set
your assignment for yourself as "an analysis of what I have accumulated on
Sligh Fox - and the creation of a work plan." Then do a thorough analysis
on him, just as you would for a client who descended from Sligh Fox and
asked you to evaluate her problem. Then write a report of your analysis.

As an example, I'll draw here from the reports chapter in *ProGen* (p. 362,
fig. 23; and p. 366, fig. 25) which outline the essentials for a formal
report that covers "analysis & planning":

PRELIMINARY BACKGROUND
- Identification of client [self]
- Identification of subject
- Summary of problem
- Limitations upon assignment [may or may not be needed]
- Identification of repository/collection [your personal files]

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
[You'll actually make this summary at the end of your analysis process, but
it is helpful to put the summary on p. 1 of the report. That makes it easier
to later consult and reconsult.]

DETAILED ANALYSIS:
- Overall Evaluation of the strength/weakness of work to date
- Specific Concerns & Issues (comments & questions)

[Here, as you read back through your materials, every time you spot
something that looks questionable, list and discuss the problem you see with
it. If a detail suggests additional work that can be done, list it and
discuss what the follow-up should be. Etc.]

RESEARCH PLAN:
[Here, you'll summarize the prospects you discovered when you analyzed your
material on Sligh. Then you'll make a list of . . . ]
- Materials to search and the repositories that hold them
including -
+ location of repository, access info, hours, etc.
+ any specific advice on using those materials that you've
picked up while analyzing this problem and doing
peripheral study
- Estimated time you need to allow to use those resources
- Identification of other researchers whom you may
need to consult on one point or another.

Voila! You've done your report to file.

If, next month, you do the follow-up work, then you'll want to write
yourself a research report after you finish. Here, you'll detail the work
you did, problems with the records, conclusions you reached, etc. (Models
for other types of reports are in both *ProGen* and *The BCG Genealogical
Standards Manual.* From this point, by writing a report to file each time
you do a segment of work on Sligh Fox, your work on him will stay well
analyzed and well organized

Then, when the mood hits you to work on a different ancestor, do the same
for him or her. Bite by bite, you'll finish eating the elephant you've been
growing all these years before you reached the point of realizing that you
should treat yourself to the same level of expertise you would give your
best client.

Elizabeth

======
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG
Author, *Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian*
Editor/Author, *Professional Genealogy: A Manual for
Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians*




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