It is important somewhere to keep track of your research logic as you progress. Otherwise you might not remember “why” you are researching a certain person.
While at the Allen County Public Library last August, I focused on a certain Benjamin Butler in 1850 as being “mine.” Using that enumeration as the starting point, I searched other records and made research progress. A stack of papers and records. One problem–I didn’t track WHY I thought this 1850 census entry was for the correct person. It took me hours to reconstruct my reason. Time wasted when I started writing up the 1850 Benjamin for an issue of Casefile Clues.
When I decided the 1850 guy was “mine,” I should have written down my reasons. That would have saved time.It is important somewhere to keep track of your research logic as you progress. Otherwise you might not remember “why” you are researching a certain person.
I focused on a certain Benjamin Butler in 1850 as being “mine.” Using that enumeration as the starting point, I searched other records and made research progress. A stack of papers and records. One problem–I didn’t track WHY I thought this 1850 census entry was for the correct person. It took me hours to reconstruct my reason.
When I decided the 1850 guy was “mine,” I should have written down my reasons. That would have saved time.
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