Keeping Track of Searches Ancestral hunters also go into unknown territory. They need to be reminded of their own research steps which brought them to a certain place (or conclusion). They need to keep track of where they have been by writing down their searches on research logs. Finally they can prevent becoming lost or duplicating the same searches they have previously done by maintaining research planners. "Logs" record what was previously done. "Planners" record not only previous research, but list what we plan on researching. While you may want to skip over keeping records, because it isn't nearly as much fun as hunting, it is the very core of a good genealogist's success. While other hunters are finding unrelated insects, squirrels, and rabbits, the prepared and careful hunter is finding the exact game he is hunting. Don't be fooled. Anything worth doing, is worth doing right the first time.