Research guides
A useful next step for your family history
Start with what you know, keep the evidence, and work through the questions it raises. Follow historical research examples and practical guides to reviewing, preserving and sharing your family history.
How to start a family tree
Start a family tree with what you know. Learn what to ask relatives, how to record sources and uncertain dates, and how to plan your next genealogy search.
How to import a GEDCOM file and check your tree
Move a family tree with GEDCOM using a practical checklist. Keep an original backup, review import warnings, check sources and relationships, and recover missing media.
How to cite sources in your family tree
Write genealogy citations you can find again. Follow a historical death record from source to claim, separate readings from reasoning and assess each fact.
How to record uncertain dates in genealogy
Record estimated birth years, before and after dates, and incomplete historical dates. Production screenshots show how to preserve uncertainty without inventing precision.
Two records disagree. Which should you trust?
Compare conflicting genealogy evidence using a historical birth-date case. Check identity, distinguish readings from calculations and write a provisional conclusion.
How to identify the same person across genealogy records
Compare names, relatives, places and life events before merging family-tree records. Historical screenshots show name variants and a documented identity question.
How to keep a genealogy research log
Keep a useful genealogy research log: record search scope, results, limitations and next steps. Historical examples show a research note and an unsaved follow-up task.
How to extract facts from a marriage record
Work through a historical marriage entry one claim at a time. Record people, dates, occupations and residences with citations and appropriate uncertainty.
How to research parent-child relationships
Trace a parent-child connection through its evidence. Historical screenshots explain family membership, relationship types, assessments and namesake checks.
How to research places in your family tree
Preserve historical place wording, review modern map suggestions and date residence claims. Screenshots show structured places and a historical residence fact.
How to plan genealogy research at a dead end
Turn a genealogy dead end into a specific search plan. Use historical date estimates, family clues, collection coverage and documented outcomes to choose the next check.
How to build a useful family history timeline
Build a sourced family history timeline. Historical screenshots show family context, dated occupations, uncertain dates and gaps that can guide your next search.
How to read a death record for family history
Read a historical death record one claim at a time. Distinguish death and registration dates, assess earlier-life statements and investigate informants.
How to research witnesses and other associates
Use witnesses and informants as genealogy research leads. Historical examples distinguish named relatives, officials and relationships a record does not establish.
How to review a family tree you inherited
Review inherited genealogy without losing the original research. Inventory files, sample source claims, check parent links and plan verification with historical screenshots.
How to back up your family history research
Back up genealogy data, original media and research notes. Learn what Leaves GEDCOM, GEDZIP and task companions preserve, and how to check a recovery copy.
How to share your family tree with relatives
Share a family tree with deliberate roles and living-person access. Screenshots show an unsent Viewer invitation and a historical research question for collaboration.
How to organise old family photographs
Preserve old family photographs with useful captions, careful identifications, portrait crops and a plan for sharing and backing up the originals.
How to make a family history book
Turn researched family history into a readable book. Choose a scope, check sources, compose Leaves report sections and proofread a dated PDF before sharing.
How to use AI for genealogy with Leaves MCP
Use Leaves MCP for AI-assisted genealogy: select a project, compare cited evidence, verify conclusions and review proposed changes before saving them.