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==Evaluate the Evidence== | |||
Having found one or more records about a person, it is time to evaluate what you found and determine how helpful and reliable it is. For example, a birth date from a birth record is probably more accurate than a birth date derived from a census record. | Having found one or more records about a person, it is time to evaluate what you found and determine how helpful and reliable it is. For example, a birth date from a birth record is probably more accurate than a birth date derived from a census record. | ||
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*'''''Background information''''' is sometimes misinterpreted or applied incorrectly to individual cases. For example, just because most immigrants joined friends or relatives in their new country does not mean your ancestor had relatives when he arrived in his new country. | *'''''Background information''''' is sometimes misinterpreted or applied incorrectly to individual cases. For example, just because most immigrants joined friends or relatives in their new country does not mean your ancestor had relatives when he arrived in his new country. | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Even a source recorded close to the time of the event may have errors.'''</center> | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Even a source recorded close to the time of the event may have errors.'''</center> | ||
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'''''Primary Information''''' was recorded at or near the time of the event by someone closely associated with it. It is usually found in original records. However, ''not'' all information in an original record is "primary." For example, a death record usually contains primary information about the death but secondary information about the person's birth. If the information does not come from a primary account of the event, consider it suspect. If you cannot determine where the information originated, it is undocumented and therefore less reliable information.<br> | '''''Primary Information''''' was recorded at or near the time of the event by someone closely associated with it. It is usually found in original records. However, ''not'' all information in an original record is "primary." For example, a death record usually contains primary information about the death but secondary information about the person's birth. If the information does not come from a primary account of the event, consider it suspect. If you cannot determine where the information originated, it is undocumented and therefore less reliable information.<br> | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Prefer primary information.'''</center> | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Prefer primary information.'''</center> | ||
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'''''Direct statements''''' give a straightforward fact. For example, a baptismal record may state the birth date of the child being baptized. Whenever possible, try to find records that directly state specific facts as proof of a genealogical event or relationship. | '''''Direct statements''''' give a straightforward fact. For example, a baptismal record may state the birth date of the child being baptized. Whenever possible, try to find records that directly state specific facts as proof of a genealogical event or relationship. | ||
{| cellspacing=" | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="12" border="1" align="center" style="width: 220px; height: 34px" | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Prefer direct evidence.'''</center> | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Prefer direct evidence.'''</center> | ||
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'''''Indirect statements''''' support a fact by reasonable inference. For example, if a census record lists a person's age as 45 in 1851, it implies a birth in or near 1806. Often you may need to gather more substantial information. For example, a marriage record is evidence that a couple was born, but unless it gives the age of the bride or groom, you can only guess at their birth dates. The couple may have been born 16 or 60 years earlier. Indirect (often called circumstantial) evidence usually requires additional evidence to prove a fact. | '''''Indirect statements''''' support a fact by reasonable inference. For example, if a census record lists a person's age as 45 in 1851, it implies a birth in or near 1806. Often you may need to gather more substantial information. For example, a marriage record is evidence that a couple was born, but unless it gives the age of the bride or groom, you can only guess at their birth dates. The couple may have been born 16 or 60 years earlier. Indirect (often called circumstantial) evidence usually requires additional evidence to prove a fact. | ||
==Consistency and Clarity of the Facts== | ==Consistency and Clarity of the Facts== | ||
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In most cases, evidence in an original record created closest to the event is most likely to be correct. However, if several credible records (original or derivative) of a later date suggest different information, the evidence that the first record is incorrect may be clear and convincing. Sometimes this is called the preponderance of the evidence. | In most cases, evidence in an original record created closest to the event is most likely to be correct. However, if several credible records (original or derivative) of a later date suggest different information, the evidence that the first record is incorrect may be clear and convincing. Sometimes this is called the preponderance of the evidence. | ||
{| cellspacing=" | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="12" border="1" align="center" style="width: 400px; height: 40px" | ||
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| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Proof is the accumulation of acceptable evidence.'''</center> | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" |<center>'''Proof is the accumulation of acceptable evidence.'''</center> | ||
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