1. Core “research plan from question” prompt
Use this when you already have a reasonably clear objective.
I am a genealogist working to standards. Based on the Genealogical Proof Standard (reasonably exhaustive research, correlation and analysis, conflict resolution, written conclusion), help me draft a focused research plan for this problem.
Research question: [state in one sentence, e.g., “Who were the parents of Jonathan Taylor, born about 1820 in X County, Y State?”]hcplonline+2
Known information and context (include citations inline or in brackets):
– [Brief bullet list of known facts, with sources]
– [Summarize any prior negative searches]Constraints:
– Time period: [years]
– Locations/jurisdictions: [town/county/state or country; mention boundary changes if relevant]bcgcertification
– Language(s) in records: [if applicable]Please:
Restate the research objective clearly.
Identify key record types and repositories likely to answer the question, given time and place.
Propose a prioritized, step‑by‑step research plan that:
– groups related record types together,
– notes the jurisdiction or repository for each,
– explains why each step is likely to help,
– distinguishes on‑site, digital, and “not yet digitized” collections.Flag any obvious gaps in the current information that should be addressed before executing the plan.americanancestors+2
2. Prompt to refine an existing draft plan
Use this after you’ve sketched a plan yourself.
I have drafted a genealogy research plan for the following question: [insert question].
Here is my current plan:
[Paste your numbered steps and notes.]Please review this plan as if you were a peer genealogist:
– Identify any missing record types or jurisdictions I should consider for this time and place.
– Suggest a more logical order for the steps to improve efficiency.
– Point out steps that may be too vague, and recommend how to make them more specific (record set, time span, repository).
– Note where I should explicitly include searches for relatives, associates, and neighbors rather than just the focal person.familyhistoryfanatics+2
3. “Fresh eyes” prompt from a full summary
Use this when you have several pages of prior work and need a new plan that builds on it, not replaces it.
I am working on this genealogical problem: [research question].
Below is a summary of known facts, prior research, and key citations. Please read it as background only; do not repeat it back to me.
[Paste your background section, summary of known facts, and prior research review.]familylocket+1Based on this context, draft a research plan that:
– Starts with a one‑sentence research objective.
– Gives a “Summary of known facts and working hypothesis” in 3–6 bullet points.
– Lists potential sources to consult, grouped by record type (vital, land, probate, tax, court, church, military, etc.).
– For each group, recommends specific collections (e.g., at FamilySearch, Ancestry, local archives) appropriate to the time and place.
– Prioritizes the order of searching, with 1–2 sentences explaining the reasoning behind each group of steps.familysearch+3
4. Locality‑specific planning prompt
Use this when the main uncertainty is “what even exists for this place and time?”
I need help designing a genealogical research plan that is realistic for this locality and time period.
Research question: [short question].
Person/family of interest: [name(s), approximate dates, religion if relevant to record sets].
Locality and timeframe: [describe town/county/state or country and years, noting boundary changes if known].Please:
Outline the major record types that exist or typically exist for this locality and period (civil registration, church, land, probate, tax, census, military, city directories, newspapers, etc.).
For each record type, suggest at least one example repository or catalog to check (e.g., national archive, state archive, county clerk, diocesan archive, FamilySearch catalog).theoccasionalgenealogist+2
Propose a prioritized plan of 8–15 steps, stating:
– record type and jurisdiction,
– specific collection or catalog entry where possible,
– the exact search target (who or what I’m looking for),
– how the findings could confirm, refine, or disprove the current hypothesis.
5. Brick‑wall “diagnostic” plan prompt
Use when you suspect the plan itself is the problem.
I have a longstanding brick‑wall problem in my genealogical research.
Research question: [one sentence, as specific as possible, including identity, relationship, time, and place].hcplonline+1
Summary of attempts so far (records searched, time periods, and jurisdictions):
– [Bullets of what you tried and what you found, including negative searches.]
Working hypothesis (may be wrong):
– [1–2 sentences.]Please:
– Analyze my prior work and identify likely weaknesses (e.g., too narrow a time frame, missed jurisdictions, underused record types).
– Suggest 10–20 additional, concrete research steps that broaden the scope (different associates, jurisdictions, time periods, or methodologies), ordered by likelihood of payoff vs. effort.
– Highlight any steps that probably require on‑site or archival research rather than online searches.genohistory+2
6. Teaching/demo prompt for a class or blog
Use when you want AI to help produce a “model plan” you can annotate in teaching.
I’m preparing a teaching example of a genealogy research plan for students.
Please create a sample plan (not based on real living people) that:
– Starts with a clear research question.
– Includes a short “Review of previous research” with 4–6 bullet points.
– Has a “Working hypothesis” section with one concise statement.
– Lists 10–15 planned research steps with record type, jurisdiction, and repository.
– Shows good practice in scope, prioritization, and use of relatives/associates, consistent with the Genealogical Proof Standard.legacytree+2Present the result in sections labeled: Objective, Summary of Known Facts, Working Hypothesis, Research Plan, and Next Steps.
7. Short “micro‑plan” prompt for one repository visit
Use this for a courthouse, archive, or limited‑time online collection.
I have a specific repository/website visit coming up and want a focused genealogy research plan just for this visit.
Research question: [one sentence].
Repository or website: [name; include catalog link if you like].
Time available: [e.g., “3 hours in person,” “one evening online”].Please:
– Suggest a prioritized list of 5–12 specific items or collections to target during this visit, based on the question.
– For each, specify call numbers, catalog entries, or collection titles where possible, and define a clear search objective (name(s), date ranges, places).
– Include a brief note for each step indicating what kind of evidence I should extract (identifying information, relationships, neighbors, FANs) and how I should record negative searches.americanancestors+1
Share one of your current research questions (even in brief form), and ask the AI to tailor one of these prompts exactly. Then copy and paste the prompt into your preferred AI research assistant.
