Basics

Use Genealogy Charts

A major focus of any genealogical research project is the identification and gathering of basic details about each ancestor, such as name, and date and place of birth, marriage, death and burial.

Genealogical research often involves more than a search for names and dates. There is much more to be learned about each ancestor, including his or her reasons for immigrating to Canada from China, the kind of work he or she did, family and social life, and other interests and activities.

Finding out the basic details concerning names, dates and places, however, gives you a framework that helps put everything else into context and informs your research. After all, if your grandfather was born in China in 1904, there's no point looking for him in the 1901 Canadian census.

Genealogists usually record basic information on charts. Although many types of charts are used, the most common are the Ancestor Chart and the Family Group Record.

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