Most genealogical experts agree that the first step one should take in a genealogical research project is to sketch out whatever knowledge is available on a given family. As noted earlier in this chapter, research and documentation should begin with oneself and proceed backward in time, one generation at a time. Pedigree charts (figure 1-7) provide an overview of the family and enable you to track research progress. All information recorded on the sheet (names, dates, and places) should be accompanied by a notation showing how that information was obtained. If names, dates, or places indicated on a pedigree chart are a product of speculation (unproven or undocumented), that fact should be indicated in some way on the chart.