Creating a Research Plan with the Plan Generator
Let GEDminer analyse your tree and generate a structured research plan. Get prioritised tasks, focused searches, and a clear roadmap for your genealogy work.
What is the Plan Generator?
The Plan Generator creates a structured research agenda:
- Analyses your entire tree: Evaluates all individuals, gaps, and data quality
- Identifies opportunities: Finds where records likely exist but haven't been found
- Prioritises by impact: Ranks tasks by genealogical value
- Creates actionable items: Each task tells you exactly what to search for
The result is a focused to-do list tailored to your specific tree.
How plans are generated
The generator combines multiple analyses:
- Gap detection: Periods with missing documentation
- Error analysis: Data quality issues to resolve
- Census matching: Census years where ancestors should appear
- Vital record gaps: Missing birth, marriage, or death records
- Relationship to you: Direct ancestors get higher priority
All factors are weighted to produce a balanced, practical plan.
Working through your plan
Use the generated plan systematically:
- Start at the top: Highest priority items have the best research payoff
- Batch similar tasks: Research all records from one archive or website at once
- Track progress: Mark items complete or note findings as you go
- Update regularly: Re-generate after adding new data to get updated priorities
- Be flexible: If you hit a dead end, move to the next item
Understanding task types
Plans include different types of research tasks:
- Vital record searches: Find specific certificates or registrations
- Census lookups: Search for individuals in specific census years
- Parent identification: Research to find unknown parents
- Date refinement: Sharpen estimated dates with primary sources
- Location specificity: Find precise places for vague locations
- Source verification: Confirm unsourced claims with documentation
Exporting and sharing plans
Generated plans can be exported:
- CSV format: For spreadsheets and research logs
- Print-friendly: For use at archives and libraries
- Checklist format: For tracking progress
A documented research plan helps you stay organised and avoid duplicating effort.