The 5 Step Research Process

Step 1: Identify What You Know About Your Family
This step includes recording what you already know about your family, gathering additional information from home sources and relatives, and organizing your records for easy access.

Step 2: Decide What You Want to Learn About Your Family
This step involves selecting a specific ancestor about whom you would like to know more, determining what you would like to know about that ancestor, and preparing a research log. 

Step 3: Select Records to Search
This step involves identifying the category of record you need to search to find out what you would like to know. This record category might be a compiled record, an original record, or a reference source. The step then involves identifying the specific record to be searched next, and describing it in your research log.

Step 4: Obtain and Search the Record
This step involves obtaining the record from the Family History Library, or another repository, searching it, and recording the results of the search on your log. You may also make an extract or photocopy of that information.

Step 5: Use the Information
This step includes submitting the names for temple ordinances, posting information on the internet, writing family histories, sharing information with other family members and other uses of the information.