Introduction First, look through all records in your possession. It often happens that records are scattered within families through marriages or bequests. It will be necessary to learn this script, either through self-study or from classes offered by German community colleges, to be able to read the entries when visiting an archive. Find out more at the Frequently Asked Questions page for soc.genealogy.german and further tips for Old German Script . It is suggested that college notebooks or pads should be used instead of taking notes on loose paper slips.
Paper is the cheapest material in research work, there is no reason to conserve it.
Use a new page for each record and leave the back of the pages blank. Date each entry, the date can be invaluable later for reconstructions. Leave a wide margin at the right of the entries for later additions and notes. A magnifying glass often helps to decipher the old scripts. When taking notes in archives, use only pencil and never use the old books as a backing when taking notes.