There are three types of data you want to record for each individual: Facts, Biography, and Sources.

Facts. (sometimes called Events) The trunk of the family tree, facts are what you most care about; the prerequisites. Without Facts, your tree can't sprout meaningful leaves.

Everyone was born on at date in a place, and (except the living who are running late) died on a date in a place. Almost all survived long enough to be named. And most survivors (except genealogical dead ends) marry. So the key genealogical facts about anyone's life are the answers to those questions.

	Full name at birth
	Birth date and place
	Marriage date and place
	Death date and place

	Baptism date and place
	Adoption date and place
	Divorce date and place
	Burial data and place

Facts include both Primarily and Secondary Facts. Primarily facts are requisites. Secondary facts are optional. Fill in only those that apply for each individual. 

Most genealogy programs allow you to enter a wide variety of additional Facts, such as graduation, military service, occupation, etc. You can even make up your own if you like. It is a matter of personal choice, but I recommend you not do this: limit your Facts those discussed above. Save the other stuff for... 

Biography. The leaves on your tree, Biography (frequently called Notes in genealogy programs) include any comments you may wish to add about this person's physical characteristics, education, unique skills, hobbies, memberships, occupation/career, athletic or musical talent, military service, religion, elective offices held, sense of humor, health, place of residence, etc.

Biography (Notes) is the story of the life lived. Not when and where so much as how. There are darn few rules about what to include or exclude, or even how-tos. Biography (Notes) is the creative writing part of genealogy.

Biography doesn't appear on family tree charts. It is included only (and optionally) in genealogy books and web sites. But many say it is the Biogrpahies that make or break a genealogy.  This is the "really interesting stuff" people like to read.

BioTip: Although there are no rules on how to write Notes, they usually read best when recorded top-down. Start a the beginning (birth) and work to the end (post-death in most cases) so the reader can see how the life evolved.

BioTip: If you are not a creative writer and Notes terrorize you, try finding and transcribing the individual's obituary.

Sources. Sources (footnotes) are the roots of your tree, the supports that make your tree grow tall rather than wither. Sources are pointers to help your reader find and verify your authority for making each claim. You must source Facts and should source Biography data. Sources also help you remember where you found each bit of information -- no small factor if your project takes years.

It is not uncommon for genealogists to spend months, years, even decades, researching a specific individual. When you find conflicting claims, it will be easier to weigh them against each other with Sources noted. Sources make your life easier and boost the quality of your effort. Fortunately, every genealogy program worth its good name provides sourcing tools that simplify the task.

And that is that. Your objective: Facts, Biography and Sources -- for everyone in your family tree.