Free Genealogy Research Forms and Organizers

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.

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Personal Records Inventory

A formatted template to record a detailed inventory of your personal records.

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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.

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Note-Taking Form (by Surname and Record Type)

Designed for filing your notes by surname and record type: “ROBINSON: Census Records.”

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Note-Taking Form (by Couple or Family Group)

Designed for filing your notes by couple or family group: “John and Mary Jones.”

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Table of Contents for Files

On this form, list the documents in a file folder so you can find them quickly.

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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.

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Researched Records Tracker

A research tracker with space to make note of the records you’ve searched for a particular ancestor.

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Online Database Search Tracker

Use this free genealogy research form to track searches in Ancestry.com and other online genealogy databases.

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Research Repository Checklist

Plan a research trip by recording details about the archive or library you intend to visit.

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Article Reading Checklist

Catalog genealogy articles you want to read or refer to later.

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Research Checklist of Books

Keep track of books you want to check for your ancestors’ names with this free form.

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Genealogy Book Wish List

Make a checklist of genealogy books you’d like to buy or borrow.

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Sources Research Journal

Here, list sources you’ve checked or plan to check.

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Source Reference List

Use this list to fully document sources you’ve referenced on other genealogy forms.

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Ancestor Research Worksheet

This free genealogy worksheet is ideal for tracking research on long-lost relatives or 20th-century ancestors.

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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.

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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.

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Genealogy Project Management Worksheet

This project management worksheet helps you break down your genealogy research goals into sub-goals and to-do lists.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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