Why I Don't Start My Genealogy Research Online

Why starting your descendancy research offline can lead to stronger genealogy discoveries

Why I Don't Start My Genealogy Research Online: Descendancy Research Series – Part 3

​It may sound surprising coming from a professional genealogist, but one of the first pieces of advice I give people starting a new genealogy project, such as descendancy research, is this:
Don't go online—not yet.
In a world where millions of historical records are available with just a few clicks, it seems almost counterintuitive to avoid genealogy websites at the beginning of a project. But after years of researching my own family, clients, descendants, brick walls, and unknown parentage cases, I've learned that spending a little time offline first usually leads to better research, and fewer mistakes.
Here's why.

Start with What You Already Know

Before searching a single online record, gather everything you already have.
Talk with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and longtime family friends. Pull out old photographs, letters, certificates, military papers, funeral cards, family Bibles, and other documents tucked away in drawers or boxes.
You may be surprised how much information is already sitting in your own home, or in the homes of relatives.
These first conversations many times reveal names, places, occupations, family traditions, and stories that never appear in historical records.

Family Stories Are Worth Recording

Family stories aren't always completely accurate.
Names get mixed up. Dates change. Events become exaggerated over time.
But I've found that most stories contain a kernel of truth somewhere within them.
Instead of dismissing them, record everything.
Later, you can compare those stories with historical records to determine which details can be confirmed.
Sometimes one seemingly insignificant comment becomes the clue that solves an entire research problem. 

Record Every Clue—Even If It Doesn't Make Sense Yet

One of the habits I've developed over the years is writing down every clue, no matter how small or insignificant it seems at the time.
A nickname.
A military branch.
A hometown.
An occupation.
An illness.
A family argument.
A mention of "the twins."
Even details that don't make sense initially may become incredibly important later.
I've had research cases where a single clue, remembered years after a family conversation, eventually led to the correct person once enough evidence had been gathered.

Draw Your Family Tree by Hand

Yes...
By hand.
I know genealogy software is wonderful, and I use it regularly.
But before entering information into a computer, I still recommend sketching out a simple family tree on paper.
Why?
Because drawing it yourself forces you to slow down.
You begin noticing gaps.
Questions naturally appear.
Relationships become easier to visualize.
You're thinking about the family instead of clicking hints.
It doesn't need to be perfect.
A rough sketch is usually all you need to organize your thoughts before diving into records. 

Why I Wait Before Searching Online

​This is probably the advice that surprises people the most.
Online genealogy websites are incredible resources.
But they also come with distractions.
Within minutes you may find:

• Record hints
• Other people's family trees
• Suggested relatives
• Conflicting information

Before long, it's easy to start following someone else's research instead of your own.
Beginning offline helps you develop your own understanding of the family before outside information influences your thinking.
I want my conclusions to come from evidence, not suggestions generated by an algorithm.

Build Your Own Foundation First

​Once you've gathered everything your family already knows and organized your information, then it's time to begin searching historical records.
Now you're approaching those records with questions to answer rather than simply hoping the next hint will tell you where to go.
That small shift in mindset usually leads to stronger research and more confident conclusions.

Slow Down to Move Faster

​It may seem like you're delaying your research by avoiding online resources at first.
In reality, you're building a much stronger foundation.
The more organized you are before you begin searching records, the less likely you are to chase the wrong family, duplicate work, or overlook important clues already sitting in your own home.
Sometimes the fastest way to solve a genealogy problem is to spend a little extra time at the very beginning.

​Part 2: How to Choose the Best Starting Ancestor for Descendancy Research
This is #3 in a series based on my 2017 "Finding Descendants in Your Family Tree" presentation

More Genealogy Research Methods & Tips

Get more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips and Genealogy Quick Tips categories.