The 7th lesson in my Research Like a Pro Study group is “Report Writing.” I was excited about my findings during the research phase of the study group, and anxious to begin writing my report. I have read other research reports and I felt like I understood the process, as well as the content and analysis that should be included in the report. I discovered that it was harder than I thought! My perfectionistic tendencies held me back a lot in making more efficient progress while writing the report. I wanted to say everything just right, in the right order, right from the beginning.
Finally, after agonizing over it one day, I turned off the computer, picked up a piece of scratch paper, went outside, and sat on the deck. I began scribbling out a very simplified version of my research process and the evidence I had discovered that helped me form a conclusion. It was there that I was able to create order to the chaos of facts that were running around in my mind. After that, I was able to complete the report pretty easily. I wonder if I should add this as a step in my own process – a scribbled outline on a piece of scratch paper while clearing my head in the tranquility of my back yard.
Despite the struggle, I really enjoyed writing my report. Seeing all the evidence come together in an organized, complete document has been really rewarding. This was a fun project, and writing about it really was the grand finale of the whole process.
Wondering what my conclusion was? You can read my completed report here.
In case you’d rather just know the ending without having to read the report, the ancestral Jacob Fisher in question was almost certainly a resident of Whitehall Township, not Upper Milford Township, as had previously been recorded on several Ancestry Public Member Trees. In addition, I found two possible women that may have been Jacob’s Elizabeth: Elizabeth Horman and Elizabeth Klein. They may have even been first and second wives. I also found a possible additional daughter, Magdalene and possible brothers and sisters for Jacob. I have so many new avenues to explore, and I’m excited to continue researching this family!
