File-organizing Forms
Family History “Stuff” Keep or Toss Checklist
You don’t have to keep all the papers, photos and other “stuff” you inherited from Grandma’s attic. Our checklist will help you decide what to keep and toss.
LEARN MORE
Personal Records Inventory
A formatted template to record a detailed inventory of your personal records.
LEARN MORE
File-Name Template Worksheet
To organize your digital genealogy files, you’ll need a consistent naming system that can accommodate multiple kinds of photos and documents (as well as various types of files). Record your templates in the worksheet below.
LEARN MORE
Note-Taking Form (by Surname and Record Type)
Designed for filing your notes by surname and record type: “ROBINSON: Census Records.”
LEARN MORE
Note-Taking Form (by Couple or Family Group)
Designed for filing your notes by couple or family group: “John and Mary Jones.”
LEARN MORE
Table of Contents for Files
On this form, list the documents in a file folder so you can find them quickly.
LEARN MOREResearch Planning and Organizing Forms
Research Planner and Question Log
Use this type-in form to record a research problem or question, known information about it, and steps to solve it. Check the box in the “Done” column as you complete each step. This form is ideal for organizing a “teamwork” approach to genealogy research.
LEARN MORE
Researched Records Tracker
A research tracker with space to make note of the records you’ve searched for a particular ancestor.
LEARN MORE
Online Database Search Tracker
Use this free genealogy research form to track searches in Ancestry.com and other online genealogy databases.
LEARN MORE
Research Repository Checklist
Plan a research trip by recording details about the archive or library you intend to visit.
LEARN MORE
Research Checklist of Books
Keep track of books you want to check for your ancestors’ names with this free form.
LEARN MORE
Genealogy Book Wish List
Make a checklist of genealogy books you’d like to buy or borrow.
LEARN MORE
Source Reference List
Use this list to fully document sources you’ve referenced on other genealogy forms.
LEARN MORE
Ancestor Research Worksheet
This free genealogy worksheet is ideal for tracking research on long-lost relatives or 20th-century ancestors.
LEARN MORE
Ancestor Surname Variant Chart
Use this free form designed to keep track of surnames you’re researching, as well as their variant forms and spellings.
LEARN MORE
Burned County Records Inventory
Formulate a plan to get around brick walls caused by record losses. Inventory records that were lost, records that survived, and available substitutes.
LEARN MORE
Genealogy Project Management Worksheet
This project management worksheet helps you break down your genealogy research goals into sub-goals and to-do lists.
LEARN MORE
Create-Your-Own Genealogy Research City Guide
We’ll show you how to find your way around the genealogy records of a city or town. As you work through the advice, fill in the template to create your guide.
LEARN MORE
Research Trip Budget Planner and Checklist
Use this travel budget planning sheet to calculate how much it’ll cost you to visit that faraway county courthouse where Great-great-grandma lived. Then, before hitting the road, be sure to consult the checklist of supplies you’ll want to tote along.
LEARN MORE
One-Year Genealogy Research Plan
Here’s your guide to planning an orderly, comprehensive and time-flexible series of essential family history tasks for the year. And we’ve broken each goal into several achievable steps. Choose one task each month if your time is short, or go all-out and try several.
LEARN MORE
One-Month Genealogy Research Plan Calendar
Use this calendar to whip your genealogy into shape in a month. Work these small tasks into your daily routine to make your research more organized, more accurate and better sourced.
LEARN MORE
Genealogy Research Ninja’s Training Checklist
If you’re ready to become a genealogy ninja, you’ll want to download this free checklist to help you along the way!
LEARN MORECorrespondence Logs
Library Research Request Correspondence Log
Keep track of general research requests you send to libraries and archives.
LEARN MORE
Family Research Request Correspondence Log
Organize research requests sent to and from family members with this free genealogy form.
LEARN MORE