Review criteria
- +Search by repository and objective
- +Positive vs. negative result
- +Date searched
- +Next-step column
Genealogy Research Log in Genealogy Research Service
The Genealogy Research Log is a copy-ready spreadsheet for genealogy research service that tracks searches, repository, result, date, next. It opens unchanged in both Google Sheets and Excel, needs no add-ons or macros, and takes about 15 minutes to set up.
Last updated: August 2026
Excel workbook · opens in Google Sheets · 3 tabs · no sign-up
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What’s inside “Genealogy Research Log”
Tabs: How to use · Searches · ProjectFormat: Excel (.xlsx) · opens in Google SheetsSetup: About 15 minutesColumns: 10
Columns (grey = calculated for you)
- Date searched
- Client / project
- Ancestor
- Objective
- Repository
- Record set / call #
- Result
- Source citation
- Hours
- Next step
- Open the Searches tab and replace the sample rows with your own — one row per entry. Formulas fill in automatically for new rows.
- Log every search, including negative ones, with a full citation so the client and future researchers know what was covered.
- Keep objectives narrow (one fact per row); it makes the report and next steps clear.
- Using Google Sheets? Upload the file to Google Drive, then open it with Google Sheets (or File → Import in an open sheet). Formulas, dropdowns and highlights carry over.
The file opens locally on your device — nothing is uploaded, and you own the copy outright.
Genealogy Research Log
About this template
It is built for people who want results without another subscription: genealogists logging every search. The whole template is free to copy — there is no paid tier. Because it is a plain spreadsheet, you own your data outright and can shape every column to how you actually work.
Review evidence
What to verify before choosing Genealogy Research Log
Use the review criteria below to decide whether this template fits your workflow.
Often worth considering when
- +Genealogists logging every search
- +Anyone documenting negative searches
Pause before choosing when
- -Records-database import
- -Automated hints
About Genealogy Research Service
Why people consider this option
- +Track research projects, sources, and clients without paid software
- +Keep every citation and finding in a file you own
- +Know hours and fees per project
What to review before acting
- -No records-database or tree-software integration without a tool
- -Larger practices eventually need research software
Trust FAQ
Questions people ask before copying a template
Does the Genealogy Research Log work in both Google Sheets and Excel?
Yes. It is built with standard functions and no macros, so it opens and works the same in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel — on desktop or your phone.
Is the Genealogy Research Log really free?
The core template is free to copy and use. There is no paid tier — download the Excel workbook, replace the sample rows with your own, and you are ready to work.
What does the Genealogy Research Log track?
It tracks searches, repository, result, date, next. The workbook comes with these columns plus the formulas, dropdowns and highlights already set up. Replace the sample rows and the totals update as you go.