Because we must list our negative searches (so we don't repeat them), as well as our positive searches, it is a good idea to put all of this information onto a Research Planner (see Chapter 8 in your textbook) or enter the information directly into the notes area of your genealogy computer program. Be sure to write down "what you were looking for in a source." A few weeks from now you'll know you looked at that book, but you may not have looked for the individual's spouse the first time you checked it, for example.

Many people like to enter the information directly into their genealogy computer program in a general research area such as that available in the Legacy program; or they data enter the information into a word processor to later be copied and pasted into their genealogy computer program if needed. I personally like to use my genealogy computer program for everything.