Getting Organized: Research, Files, Findings 2026

Thank you for registering for the online course, Getting Organized: Research, Files, Findings!

When you first began your family history research, you may have thought that it would be simple to keep track of all the information. Assuredly, you quickly discovered that it’s not so simple--files and findings multiply exponentially. Staying organized is an important part of the genealogical process. Taking the time to organize your research, results, and files as you go will give you more time for productive research. This online seminar will provide you with several tips, tools, and best practices for organizing your research and results at every step of your family history journey.

This course includes exclusive access to five 90-minute lectures, handouts, and other resources. You will have access to all course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.

COURSE TOPICS

Class 1: Organizing Your Research
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure

With all of the genealogical information at your fingertips today, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, go down research rabbit holes, and lose focus. In this first class, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will offer tips on how to make a research plan and stick to it! Using templates, worksheets, and other research tools available at AmericanAncestors.org, you’ll learn how to stay organized and get the most out of your research time.

Class 2: Creating a Research Plan for Cluster Research
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure

Cluster research broadens the scope of your research to include your ancestor’s extended family, associates, and neighbors—all with the goal of solving a genealogical mystery. By expanding the scope of your research, you’re also increasing your number of leads, records, and results. In this class we'll take a deeper dive into this approach and learn how a solid research plan can help you stay on track, stay organized, and achieve your research goals effectively and efficiently.

Class 3: Organizing Your Files
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure

In researching your family history, you quickly become inundated with physical and digital materials: handwritten notes, photographs, research logs, email, scans, downloads from the internet, digital photos, and more. Or you may have inherited someone else's research and don't know where to begin. Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will discuss various systems on how to organize your files, so you can easily return to your work, find what you need on a particular person or family, and not duplicate your efforts.

Class 4: Organizing Your Findings
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure

This class will provide tools for organizing your findings to help you interpret your results, see patterns, and come to sound conclusions. In addition to tools for understanding your results, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will discuss how to compile a proof argument that organizes sometimes disparate findings into an easy-to-follow solution.

Class 5: Applying What You've Learned
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure

This final class will apply the different organizational strategies learned throughout the course in actual research situations, considering the purpose of the research, and applying the best organization tools and practices for that research.

COURSE HANDOUTS

Class 1 Handout

Class 1 Slides Worksheet

Class 1 Slides (large)

Class 2 Handout

Class 2 Slides Worksheet

Class 2 Slides (large)

Class 3 Handout

Class 3 Slides Worksheet

Class 3 Slides (large)

Class 4 Handout

Class 4 Slides Worksheet

Class 4 Slides (large)

Class 5 Case Study Documents

Class 5 Case Study Research Log

Class 5 Slides Worksheet

Class 5 Slides (large)