Personal Reference Guide

Applicants are encouraged to create a personalized research reference guide to use during the open-book written exams.

Content Suggestions

• Articles
• Customs and laws
• Document Interpretation resources
• Document samples
• Finding Aids
• General history/geography
• Handwriting samples
• Historical timeline and/or background
• Individual state or province/region/country guides
• Key records available online
• Key reference materials
• Lists of major online collections (could also be placed in state/country reference section)
• Lists of online resources of archives, libraries, genealogical and historical societies
• Major archives and genealogical or historical societies
• Major genealogical publications
• Quick reference sheet of methodology unique to the particular area
• Maps – country, state, and counties or other jurisdictions
• Migration Trails
• Online sources and electronic databases
• Periodicals
• Record types in your region
• Research guides
• Unique sources
• Word lists (Latin, Swedish, etc.)
• Year of independence (or year became a state)
• Years civil registration or vital records began
• Years of available census or population schedules (federal, state, territorial)

See also the resources for each testing region on the Testing Regions page.

Format suggestions

• Digital files
• MS Word
• Google docs
• Evernote
• Store on a flash drive or online
• Use a physical binder to compile your resources on paper
• Use a combination of these options

Where to Find the Information for the Reference Guide

• FamilySearch Wiki
• “Research Outlines” from the FamilySearch Wiki
• FHL Catalog
• Major databases: FindMyPast, FamilySearch, Ancestry
• Linkpendium
• Major repository websites (FS Wiki “United States Archives” or similar articles for your country)
• For US regions: National Genealogical Society (NGS) state guides