Census Research Report

Emphasizing the Research in a Census Research Report

"I know I've looked at this census before. How can I keep track of what I've searched and what I haven't?" How many times have you asked yourself that question? Keeping track of negative research results requires constant effort. It's just not as much fun as finding positive results.

To track negative results, they must be entered somewhere in your database. This is my personal method. Whether your method is similar or wildly different is unimportant. What is important is that you devise a method that works for you and use it. Keep in mind that the reports presented here are used to illustrate census research, but they're useful for tracking all research results.

The Research Log

Research Task Screen

Research Log

The Research Log is my first point of entry when it comes to research ideas.

I usually link tasks to people. This is a holdover from earlier versions of TMG that forced a choice between person, event, source, and repository.
I always begin the Task Name with one of my major surname families. It helps me maintain my focus and, when sorted by Task Name, my Task List seems easier to handle.
The Keyword field always includes: the repository I intend to visit, the surnames I will be searching, a geographic location, the record type, and may include a time period. This makes a keyword search of the Tasks very efficient. I can search for tasks at the National Archives, Gifford family censuses, Case Civil War pensions, probate records in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, etc.
I keep a record of all Research Tasks, completed or not, so I try to remember to enter a Completed Date. The possible stages in between are entered in the Person Screen. More complete notes can be entered there.
Progress reports could be entered in the Comment field. I usually use that field for details on why I think the task is necessary or source citations to original documents.

Report Definition Screen

Report Filter

Report Options: Miscellaneous Tab

A list of Census Tasks to be done is a good way to begin investigating necessary census research.

My most frequent "to-do" list is a filtered group sent to screen or printer.
I usually filter the Task List for tasks with a combination of two keywords, frequently a surname and repository or a surname and source type. The filter excludes any completed task. I usually enter a date to limit the size of the report. (I have lots of research tasks still to be completed.)
My report is usually sorted by Task Name. I always include Memo and Task Stages in the report. Anything else is optional.

This is part of a List of Tasks report. The Task List was filtered for all uncompleted tasks created since 1999 containing the keywords "Gifford" and "census". Surprisingly, there were only five!

The Research Tag

Research Tag Entry

The sentence structure is -[M], an excluded Memo.
The memo field contains research progress notes: what records were searched and what, if anything, was found. For intricate problems, the date of the search is also included.
Census sources are self-apparent, but searches of other record types should include a source citation.
The date is that of the census being searched. It is entered so the Research Tag is identified by census year and printed in its proper chronological place in a census research report.

This is part of a Census Research Report showing a research progress note. Consider creating a research tag assigned only to censuses. My report procedure includes all research notes, not just those related to censuses. Since I need extra reminders, I find it helpful.

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