Writing A Good Query

I've been researching off and on for thirty some years and have read hundreds of queries over the years. The goal of a query is to elicit help and information from others. If you don't write a good query and if people have to ask multiple questions just to understand what you are looking for, you reduce the chances of getting help.

What makes a good query? Here's a few things to consider:

• Write in complete sentences. It makes your thoughts easier to follow.
• Use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Save "abbreviations" like C U Later for texting. They don't belong in a genealogy query.
• Briefly state what you already know. There's nothing more frustrating for someone to spend time thinking they are helping you only to be told that you already know what they've just found.
• Capitalize last names in your query. This makes them a bit easier to pick out.
• Include BOTH dates and locations. If you don't have exact dates or locations, indicate what you know.
• Be specific about what you are looking for. Ask a question.

Examples of poorly written queries:

Looking for Edwards in Illinois. They were farmers.

Hope can help need hugh edwards who farm in Ill. He was borned in 1847 and he claim he be 57 in 1980 census.

Example of a better written query:

My 2nd great-grandfather Richard EDWARDS was born 11 May 1856 in Williamson County, Illinois. He married Martha RAINS 6 June 1875 in Williamson County. He died 24 June 1928 in Williamson County, Illinois (as per tombstone and family tradition). I have not found a death certificate for Richard EDWARDS in Williamson or Franklin County Illinois although there should be one for that time period. Richard died of tuberculosis so is it possible he actually died elsewhere, perhaps in a TB Hospital. Any help or suggestions about finding his death record would be appreciated.

The above query is an example of a better query. It is written in complete sentences, with correct spelling and punctuation. I've laid out the basic information about Richard and then stated what I was looking for with a brief explanation of where I've already searched.

General queries can sometimes be okay if you are just introducing yourself. For example when you join a new group, you might post a list of surnames AND locations that you are searching. A list of names on their own don't do much good unless you have the most unusual name in the world.

Other types of queries can also result in good information. For example, I posted a query recently in an Illinois group asking about the age of consent for marriage in Illinois at a certain time and was promptly rewarded with several links to old statutes that provided me with excellent information.

One last thought - do a bit of homework before you post a query. Check out the FamilySearch wikis for information on the location your relatives are from, do a general record survey so you know something about basic genealogical records. There is a lot of information out there that can provide you with a good basic genealogy education.