The document discusses how to add objectives in genealogical research. It explains that the first step is to define an objective by selecting from categories like preliminary survey, record group, identifying a spouse/parents, or event. Objectives can be customized using a template that allows adding details about place, individual, family or surname. Researchers then locate objectives and link searches and results to track progress towards meeting each objective.

1. Adding Objectives

2. Adding Objectives
• The first step in genealogical research is
to define an objective. What is your
focus? What is the information you are
looking for?

3. To add an objective, click on “Add Information”
and select “Add Objective.”

4. Most objectives fall into one of the four categories listed
above. If yours does not, the “Other” template is for
custom objectives. The next five slides will show the
template options.

5. A preliminary survey is conducted prior to original research
to determine what has been done previously. Researchers
typically check online genealogy sites, published family
histories, and other similar resources. Family traditions may
assist with a basic structure and history of the family.

6. A record group objective involves searching a record type
for a specific jurisdiction. For example, a genealogist may
want to search the vital records of a county for a family or
a surname.

7. Frequently, genealogists set an objective to identify a
spouse or the parents of a known individual.

8. A researcher may choose to set an objective to learn
about an ancestor’s immigration or military service. This
would be an “event” objective.

9. If none of the predesigned objective templates fit, use
the “Other” option to create a custom objective.
Selecting the place, individual, family, and/or surname
will assist the search engine in locating a custom
objective. Write the full objective in the “Additional
Details” field.

10. Each template has a checkbox to indicate when a
particular objective has been met.

11. Adding Objectives
• Formulate your objective by selecting
from the dropdown fields and adding any
needed items with the green add circles.
• Supplemental information can be added
in the “Additional Details” field.

12. Locating Objectives
• After an objective has been written,
researchers will want to add searches and
results that are linked to the objective.
• To locate the desired objective, click on
“Search Your Logs” or the “search” icon in
the blue bar.

13. Search icon

14. Narrow the results of your search by adding the desired
search terms. Objectives can be located by names,
places, record types, events, and/or keywords from the
comments field.

15. Notice that objectives can also be narrowed by
whether or not they have been completed. When
selections have been made, click “Search.”

16. The qualifying entries will be returned. Click on “edit” to
change the objective statement, or click “Add Search” to
record planned searches to meet the objective.

17. To save or print a PDF report of the objectives list, click on “Select
All” or click on the desired checkboxes. Then, click “Report.”

18. Use browser functions to save or print the report.

19. • After formulating an objective, you
are ready to begin planning and
recording the searches that will
address that goal.