I don’t know if you’ve had this experience while doing Family History, but when my husband and I do ours… we can get lost in the maze very quickly.  You know, one thing leads to another and pretty soon you are lost!

Though there are many techniques for keeping track of doing the work of family history, I would like to offer a solution that has worked well for me.  I print out a seven-generation fan chart; one for my dad’s and one for my mom’s sides of the family, also for my husband’s family.  Then I methodically go through each individual on the chart and check for:

• Standardized dates and places
• 2 to 3 primary source records to attach to the individual
• check for any duplicates that need to be merged
• check for temple ordinances that need to be offered
• finally, add one or more memories to their person page, like photos, documents, and stories.

Once I have accomplished these tasks, I put a check mark on space for that individual and move on around the chart. When all the direct ancestors have been complete, you can then go back and look at their descendants.  And if you need help with any of these tasks, remember the help button on both FamilySearch and The Family History Guide.  Find out who the Temple and Family History Consultants are in your ward or neighborhood.  They would be happy to help you. 

I hope this is helpful to you as you spend time with your family on the other side of the veil.  It is great to be part of this wonderful work and better to know where you have been and where you are going!  –Janet Helland