Start smart, stay organized, and cite as you go.

Getting your family tree right from the first click saves hours later. This starter checklist walks you through a simple, one-sitting setup: create a tidy folder system, interview a relative, build a clean three-generation tree, and attach at least one solid source to each person. You’ll learn a quick file-naming method, begin a research log, and flag any conflicts so your tree stays accurate as it grows. Expect 60–90 minutes, a calmer workflow, and a clear list of “next records” to find.

Quick Overview



• Time: 60–90 minutes to complete the starter steps
• What you’ll end up with: a clean folder system, a first 3-generation tree, and a list of next records to find
• Goal: accuracy over speed; everything you add has a source

Before You Start

• Decide your focus: paternal line, maternal line, or both
• Pick a starting person: usually you or a grandparent
• Create a project folder:  FamilyTree/ on your computer or cloud drive
• 01_Tree (your working file or site export)
• 02_Profiles (one folder per person)
• 03_Records (census, certificates, directories, etc.)
• 04_Photos (originals + edited)
• 05_Notes (research log, to-dos)
  

Tools (choose one primary)

• Software/website: Ancestry, FamilySearch (free), MyHeritage, RootsMagic, or Family Tree Maker
• Note system: Google Docs/Sheets or Notion/Obsidian
• File naming:  YYYY-DocumentType-LastnameFirstname-Location.ext
• Example: 1940-Census-SpicerReginaldE-GlendaleCA.jpg
  

The Starter Checklist (print or copy/paste)

• Interview 1–3 relatives (phone or Zoom)
  Capture full names, nicknames, birth/marriage/death dates, places, occupations, religions, and any immigration stories.
  
  
• Create a 3-generation tree (you → parents → grandparents)
  Add exact spellings and maiden names; record unknowns as “—”.
  
  
• Add one solid source per person
  Birth or marriage certificate, census, obituary, draft card, or SSN index.
  
  
• Attach every source to the person
  Upload the image/PDF, add citation notes (who/what/when/where).
  
  
• Log your work
  Start a simple research log with date, repository/URL, search terms, and results.
  
  
• Flag conflicts immediately
  If two records disagree, add a note: “Conflict: birth year 1888 vs 1889; leaning 1889 per certificate.”
  
  
• Create an Ancestor Profile (template below) for each grandparent
  
  
• Make your first “Next Records” list (see the quick wins below)
  
  
• Back up your folder to the cloud and an external drive
  

Ancestor Profile (copy template)

• Full name (incl. maiden):
• Lifespan: (YYYY–YYYY)
• Birth: date | place | source
• Marriage(s): date | place | spouse | source
• Death/Burial: date | place | cemetery | source
• Residences (by year): 19XX—City, State (source)
• Occupation(s): role | employer | years | source
• Religion/Community/Clubs:
• Immigration/Naturalization: date | ship | port | source
• Military: branch | conflict | service dates | source
• Photo(s): filenames
• Notes & Conflicts:
• To-Do / Next Records:
  

Quick Wins: First Records to Seek

1. Census (U.S. 1900–1950): residence, ages, occupations, immigration years
2. Vital records: birth, marriage, death certificates (county/state offices)
3. Obituaries & newspapers: names of relatives, places, occupations
4. City directories: addresses, jobs, spouse names between census years
5. Gravesites: Find a Grave / BillionGraves for burial data and relatives

Tip: Work from known → unknown. Start with the most recent proven facts and step backward.

Simple Source Citation (don’t overthink it)

Pattern:
Record type, person, place (jurisdiction), date; collection/database, repository or URL, image/page; accessed YYYY-MM-DD.

Example:
1940 U.S. Census, Reginald E. Spicer, Glendale, Los Angeles Co., California; NARA microfilm T627; image on FamilySearch; accessed 2025-08-27.

Naming & Scanning Standards

• Scan photos/documents at: 300–600 dpi (color)
• File names: YYYY-RecordType-LastnameFirstname-Place.ext
• Keep originals: Never edit your original scans; export edited copies
  

Common Pitfalls (and fixes)

• Assuming without proof: Always attach a source before moving on
• Merging look-alike people: Compare all fields (age, spouse, occupation, geography)
• Messy folders: Rename as you go; file each item into the right person’s folder
• No research log: You’ll repeat the same dead ends—log saves hours
  

Privacy & Sharing



• Living relatives: record details privately; don’t publish without permission
• Exports: keep both an open format (GEDCOM) and a PDF snapshot of your 3-generation tree for sharing

Next Steps (when your starter is done)

• Expand to 4th–5th generations (one line at a time)
• Add photos with captions (who, where, year)
• Build a migration map (birthplaces by generation)
• Create a keepsake print or book chapter for one branch

Recommended Free/Low-Cost Repositories

• FamilySearch.org (free global collections)
• Ancestry Library Edition (often free at local libraries)
• Chronicling America (historic U.S. newspapers, Library of Congress)
• Find a Grave / BillionGraves (burials & linked relatives)
• State/County archives (vital records, directories, deeds)

Downloadable (optional)

• Turn this post into a 1-page PDF checklist for quick reference. Title it “Family Tree Starter Checklist – The Heritage Biographer” and keep it in your 05_Notes folder.

Need a Hand?

• If you’d like a professional jump-start or a review of your first three generations, book a Free Discovery Call. I’ll help confirm your plan and point to the fastest next records.