Work Samples

Following are several work samples created by AG Professionals. It is our hope that they will give you some ideas of how you may choose to format a report, source a family group record, organize a research calendar, etc. None of these samples is meant to represent the "only correct way" - but each is meant to give you ideas from which to build.

The ability to write an excellent research report is one of the hallmarks of an excellent genealogist. There are many acceptable ways to format a research report. The most important components of an excellent research report are the treatment of the evidence and the effectiveness of the researcher in communicating what was accomplished during the research session.

Client reports may vary in length and style, depending upon the client's needs and instructions. But all client reports should contain several important elements, including:

• background information
• presentation of data
• evidence analysis
• conclusion
• future research recommendations

Following are some examples of typical client reports.

Simpson Report England
Bashaw Report Pennsylvania
Clement Leeds Report England

Following are segments of different research reports showing each of these elements.

Example of Background Information

Example of Research Objectives

Presentation of Data, Example 1
Presentation of Data, Example 2
Presentation of Data, Example 3
Presentation of Data, Example 4
Presentation of Data, Example Showing How to Use a Table in a Report

Evidence Analysis, Example 1
Evidence Analysis, Example 2
Evidence Analysis, Example 3
Evidence Analysis, Example 4
Evidence Analysis, Example 5

Conclusion, Example 1
Conclusion, Example 2
Conclusion, Example 3

Future Research Recommendations, Example 1
Future Research Recommendations, Example 2

In order to apply for accreditation, an applicant must submit a four-generation research report, in which he reports on research performed for four generations of an individual's ancestry. Four-generation reports are longer than typical client reports, and they should provide full treatment of each generation. To review the application process, including specific requirements for the four-generation project, please click here.

A research calendar is a record of all the sources the researcher searched, including both positive and negative results. Research calendars can be formatted in many different ways, but they should all have the same essential components:

• The objective of the research
• The name of the researcher (unless the calendar is being submitted to ICAPGen for accreditation, in which case the researcher's name should be left off)
• The date(s) the research was conducted
• The location and call number of each source searched
• The full bibliographic citation of each source searched
• A description of what was found or not found in each source
• The document number assigned to each record that will accompany the final report

Following are some examples of research calendars.

Simpson Research Calendar
Clark-Cooper Research Calendar
De Guevara Research Calendar
Lorenzo Brown Research Calendar
Ursula Koch Research Calendar

Family group records should be filled out as completely as possible, and should include properly sourced and cited documentation of information. Some people choose to record their sources in the "Notes" fields and others choose to use the "Sources" fields. Either is accepted by ICAPGen, as long as the researcher is consistent. Following are some examples of family group records.

Kneschk Family Group Record
Nielsen Family Group Record

Pedigree charts show relationships from one generation to the next. Following are some examples of pedigree charts.

Simpson Pedigree Chart
Hansen Pedigree Chart
Schildknecht Pedigree Chart