Now that you have recorded on your Research Logs what you need to find, you are ready to begin searching. If the sources are at home, find them. You may want to photocopy or scan some of them. Once you have the document or a copy, locate in your Family Research Folder the Research Log which pertains to that document (in this instance the one labeled Home Sources). Put the date down indicating on which day, month, and year you found it. If you could not find it, still write down the date you searched for it and write "nil" or "nothing" or "not found" in the place reserved for a file number. (see Figure 14)

If you must go to a library to locate the information, you can use your Reserch Logs to help you remember what you wanted to look at. Once you have searched the source and extracted any material you desire, turn to the proper Research Log and record the date you searched the source. Also be sure to note the call number of the book used or the film number of the microfilm used and the library in which you find it. (see Figure 15)

If no information is found in a particular source, indicate that in the place reserved for the file number. Then record the date you did the searching, the call number or film number and the library as explained above. (see Figure 15)

After you have interviewed someone or gone to see what they have that you might be interested in, turn to the proper Research Log and fill it out as described above for "Home Sources." (see Figure 14)

Corresponding to receive the necessary document will be covered in a later chapter.

It may be a good idea to make a few remarks at this point concerning the taking of genealogical notes. The following is a list of guidelines you may find helpful in extracting information from books, microfilms, or another person. The list is neither inclusive nor mandatory, but hopefully it may be of some help in your taking notes you can use later.

1. Use uniform size paper.

2. At the top of the paper list your name as researcher, the date, the scope of the search (such as: jurisdiction, locality, names, time period covered)

3. List the source completely (for example: book title, author's name, volume, page; or film name or description, film number, page; or the name and address of the person being interviewed). List anything necessary to help you or someone else find the same material at a later date.

4. Copy the entry just as it is found including headings. If you make your own comments or observations, place them in brackets [ ] so others will know they are yours.

5. File your notes in your filing system as soon as possible, typing them first if you wish. (see Figure 16)

While in the library you may come across a new book, film, or other type of record to look into. Don't feel that just because it is not on your Research Log you can't look at it now. Just sit down and add it to the correct Research Log and use it.

Also, just because you have 15 sources listed on your various Research Logs and you solve the problem, or in other words, you have complete and acceptable documentation for your Family Research Folder, when you have looked at only 12 of the sources listed, you don't have to look at the other three sources unless you want to. You are not a slave to your Research Log; it is your servant.