What a genealogy research report is for
A research report is a written summary of what you set out to learn, what you searched, what you found and what you conclude. It turns scattered notes into something another person can follow and check. Reports are useful when you share findings with relatives, hand a project to a researcher, or simply want to see where a stalled line stands.
Professional genealogists write reports for clients, but the same structure works well for personal projects.
The standard behind good reports
Many genealogists work to the Genealogical Proof Standard, which asks for five things: reasonably exhaustive research, complete and accurate source citations, analysis and correlation of the evidence, resolution of conflicting evidence, and a soundly reasoned written conclusion. A report is where several of these become visible, so the template below is built around them.
The template
Copy the outline below and replace the instructions in each section with your own content.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH REPORT
Prepared by:
Date:
Project / client:
1. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The specific question you are trying to answer
(for example: "Identify the parents of Maria Rossi, born about 1902").
2. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN
Brief summary of the facts established before this project,
with citations.
3. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Two to five sentences stating the answer, or stating that
the question remains unresolved.
4. SOURCES SEARCHED
Record sets, repositories and websites searched,
including searches that found nothing (negative results).
5. EVIDENCE AND ANALYSIS
Each relevant record, what it says, how reliable it appears,
and how it fits with the others. Note any conflicts.
6. CONCLUSION
Your reasoned conclusion and how confident you are in it.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
Records not yet searched and suggested next steps.
8. SOURCE LIST
Full citations for every source used.
APPENDIX (optional)
Pedigree chart, family group sheet, timeline, copies of documents.How to fill in each section
Objective
Keep it narrow. “Find everything about the Rossi family” is too broad to report on; “identify Maria Rossi’s parents” is something you can answer or honestly leave open.
Findings up front
Put the answer near the top so readers do not have to dig. State clearly whether the evidence is strong, weak or inconclusive.
Sources searched
List what you checked, not only what you found. A line such as “1930 census, Cook County, Illinois: no entry found under three spelling variants” prevents the next researcher from repeating the search. Your research log is the best raw material for this section; see how to organize genealogy research.
Evidence and analysis
Discuss records in order of relevance, not just by date. For each, say what kind of source it is and who provided the information. A death certificate informant, for example, may not have known the deceased’s birth details first hand. When records disagree, explain which you consider more reliable and why.
Citations
Cite every record in a consistent style. If you cite census pages, our guide to citing census records in Chicago style shows the elements to include.
Tips for a professional result
- Write in plain, neutral language and avoid overstating certainty.
- Use “probably” or “possibly” where the evidence is not conclusive, and say what would settle the question.
- Keep opinions and family stories separate from documented facts. If you used ThruLines, verify each suggestion before citing it as evidence.
- Include dates of research so readers know how current the report is.
- Re-read it as if you were a stranger; every claim should trace to a citation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a professional genealogy report?
Follow a fixed structure like the template above, state a clear objective, summarize the conclusion early, cite every source, and recommend next steps. Clarity and traceable evidence matter more than length.
What does a genealogy report look like?
Typically it is a few to many pages: a title block, the research question, a summary, a list of sources searched, an analysis section with citations, a conclusion and a source list, sometimes with charts attached.
Can ChatGPT be used to write a genealogy report?
AI tools can help tidy wording or format a draft, but they should not supply facts or citations. They can invent sources that do not exist, so check every statement against your own records.
What are some good genealogy research checklists?
A checklist helps you confirm you have searched the main record types before writing up. See our genealogy research checklist template.