Considering the dozens of ways I get side tracked every time I open my family tree, it’s a wonder that I actually get any research done.

I usually go after one piece of information, then find some interesting side note and start to follow wherever it leads. Like a puppy following a scent, I wander through books, websites, other people’s trees or boxes of old letters and photos.

Then, when I finally look up and realize how far afield I am, I often can’t remember where I started and don’t know how to get back there.

Genealogy experts say that having a plan in writing and taking notes along the way is great for keeping yourself on track. Sound advice. And maybe, it just might keep me from barking up the wrong tree twice.

I’d like to know: how do you keep track of your genealogy research?