Who is the informant providing the information about your ancestor? Did they actually know your ancestor? A parent, spouse, son or daughter-in-law would most likely provide accurate information.
What information has been included? Do not forget to research information about other family members. Do not limit your research to just your ancestor. For instance, a marriage announcement of a cousin may have information about the ancestor you are researching.
When was the record created? Dates really do matter. A primary source record is going to be more valuable to you than a record that was created ten to twenty years later. A marriage record, birth record, and death record are considered primary sources. The transcription of certain records is not a primary source, and many errors are found.
Where is the record recorded? Where the record was recorded is very important. This is why citing your sources is so important. You will know the when and where of your records.
Why are the details important? To gain information about your ancestors, you need the details, details, details! Ask, "why did this event happen?" or "Why did they move so much?". The details are well worth the time it takes you to research the records.
I wish I had used this when my grandparents were alive. My grandmothers were a wealth of information, but I just didn't ask.
Why
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