Why You Should Be Using a Newspaper Research Log

In my opinion, online newspaper research is more of an art than a pure science. However, that does not mean that it should be undisciplined. On the contrary, the best way to waste your time is to perform research with no discipline. Sure, when you get a new name in your tree (or not yet in your tree), it is fun to just enter a name in a generic search box and fire away.

But you need to keep track of your searches, your varying search criteria, and your results. Documentation is the key to success. And that is why a Research Log is so important. Below you can download a newspaper research log, with complete explanations of each field that you may use for your personal research. Also below is an Excel file that contains the Research Log, so that you can enter your newspaper research log documentation on a computer.

To download the Free Quicksheet PDF, just click on the Download button below:

To download the Excel spreadsheet version of the Newspaper Research Log, click on the Download button below:

To download the Free Excel spreadsheet version of the Newspaper Research Log, just click on the Download button below:

For all the previously published Quick Reference Guides, click on QuickSheets

Genealogy QuickSheets – Frequently Asked Questions

Quicksheets are also known as Quick Reference Guides. They are generally a one or two page PDF that is downloadable. A few QuickSheets are as large as a five page PDF.
Every QuickSheet is in a specific post on The Ancestor Hunt website. Just bring up the post, and at the bottom of the page is a big brown Download button that allows you to view and/or download the PDF when clicked.
Yes! You can view or download as many as you wish.

One reply on “Why You Should Be Using a Newspaper Research Log”

I really enjoyed this article and I’m glad you posted both a PDF and an Excell spreadsheet of a newspaper research log. Some of us need a picture…smile.
Also, I’m the newsletter editor for our genealogy society, Family History Society of Arizona, based in the greater Phoenix area. May I have your permission to use any part of your article in our newsletter? If so, how much would you allow? Could I summarize it or would you prefer I use your wording? Of course, I would credit you and link back to your blog.
Thank you so much for your consideration.

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