In this lecture, attendees will learn how to transition from haphazard searching to a structured and efficient research process in a new geographic region. The session demonstrates how to build a comprehensive “locality guide”—an essential researcher’s toolbox comprising four critical components: historical background, geography, records, and repositories. Using a real-life research example, participants will discover how to conduct “pre-research” by gathering data on county boundary changes, local government record availability, and specialized manuscript collections. By learning to identify key regional institutions such as the Bowling Green State University Center for Archival Collections and local genealogical chapters, researchers will gain the skills necessary to navigate any unfamiliar territory with professional focus and precision.