A cluster consists of extended family, friends, neighbors, and other associates such as business partners.
[1] Investigating the lives of people connected to an ancestor offers a deeper and more precise insight into the ancestor’s own life at the time and place.
Genealogical research begins with a question of identity, relationship, event, or situation.
To answer the question, a genealogist gathers and analyzes data from source documents and formulates an answer to the question based on the resulting evidence.
The basic method of research is to gather data from records left by the target ancestor and his or her immediate family.