Keep the reasoning, not just the conclusion
A transcription, a competing interpretation or a question for the archive belongs with the research. Notes give that work a place before it becomes a settled fact.
A note follows the records it explains
Write a subject and body in Text or Markdown, choose a language where useful, and attach the note to the relevant records. A shared note can explain several records without copying the same reasoning into each one.
Search the Notes index or narrow it by attachment, language and length. Review suggested person mentions deliberately: a suggested name is a lead to inspect, not an automatic identity match.
Illustrative note · fictional research
Which Jan appears in the marriage register?
Jan de Vries · marriage register, 1871
What the entry says
The groom is described as a carpenter. The father’s name is Pieter.
Still to establish
A matching name in the census may be the same person. Check the occupation, age and household before linking the records.
Text or Markdown · attached to research records
Working knowledge alongside the evidence
- Text or Markdown
- Choose how to write a new note and keep transcriptions, hypotheses and research reasoning in its body.
- Linked research context
- Attach a note to the records it explains. Editing that shared note changes the same note wherever it is attached.
- Find the note again
- Search and filter by attachment, language or length, then use reading and table views to inspect the results.
- Preserve a useful discussion
- Notes are part of the core workspace. Paid plans also let you turn a useful project discussion into a research note.
What this does not do
A hypothesis should remain distinguishable from a fact
A note preserves your interpretation; it does not verify it. Check suggested person references before linking them, and cite the underlying source when you turn reasoning into a recorded assertion. Saved-note editing is subject to the permissions shown in the app.
See it on your own tree
Create an account in the public beta. Start with one free project and import the research you already have.