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Genealogical Maturity: Difference between revisions

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The Genealogical Maturity model uses dictionary definitions as much as possible, with clarifications from leading genealogists.  
The Genealogical Maturity model uses dictionary definitions as much as possible, with clarifications from leading genealogists.  


'''source '''– 1. the origin that supplies information.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, online edition (www.m-w.com : accessed 23 November 2009), “source.”</ref> 2. “an artifact, book, document, film, person, recording, website, etc., from which information is obtained.”<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FNGS, FASG, FUGA, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, 2nd ed. [hereinafter, EE2] (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009), 828.</ref>  
'''source '''– 1. the origin that supplies information.<ref>''Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary'', online edition (www.m-w.com : accessed 23 November 2009), “source.”</ref> 2. “an artifact, book, document, film, person, recording, website, etc., from which information is obtained.”<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FNGS, FASG, FUGA, ''Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace'', 2nd ed. [hereinafter, EE2] (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009), 828.</ref>  


'''citation '''– 1. “citations are statements in which we identify our source or sources for…particular [information].”<ref>Mills, EE2, 42.</ref> 2. “a citation states where you found [the cited] piece of information.”<ref>Patricia Law Hatcher, CG, FASG, quoted in The Source, ed. Loretto Dennis Szucs, FUGA, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, FUGA, 3rd ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2006) p. 24; citing “How Do You Know?” in Producing a Quality Family History (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1996), 117.</ref>  
'''citation '''– 1. “citations are statements in which we identify our source or sources for…particular [information].”<ref>Mills, EE2, 42.</ref> 2. “a citation states where you found [the cited] piece of information.”<ref>Patricia Law Hatcher, CG, FASG, quoted in The Source, ed. Loretto Dennis Szucs, FUGA, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, FUGA, 3rd ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2006) p. 24; citing “How Do You Know?” in Producing a Quality Family History (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1996), 117.</ref>  
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The model asks that a person place a check mark next to each of the following statements that describes him or her. <br>  
The model asks that a person place a check mark next to each of the following statements that describes him or her. <br>  


=== Sources<br> ===
=== Sources  ===


table<br>  
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | #
! scope="col" | Maturity Level
! scope="col" | Sources
! scope="col" | Check
|-
| 1.
| Entry
| Typically relies on compiled genealogies.
|
|-
| 2.
|
|
|
|}
 
<br>  
 
<br> 1. Entry
 
Typically relies on compiled genealogies.
 
2. Emerging
 
Mostly relies on compiled genealogies and online sources.
 
3. Practicing
 
Uses a limited number of record types and repositories. Mostly relies on online and microfilmed sources.
 
4. Proficient
 
Uses a wide variety of record types. Often contacts record custodians to obtain copies of high-quality sources.
 
5. Stellar
 
Insightfully pursues research at multiple, targeted repositories, making use of a plethora of records and record types. "Burned counties" are not roadblocks.


=== Citations  ===
=== Citations  ===


table<br>
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | #
! scope="col" | Maturity Level
! scope="col" | Citations
! scope="col" | Check
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
 
1. Entry
 
Captures URLs for online sources and citations for published sources.
 
2. Emerging
 
Increasingly captures necessary information for manuscript sources.
 
3. Practicing
 
Typically produces complete source citations.
 
4. Proficient
 
Gives complete and accurate source citations including provenance and quality assessment.
 
5. Stellar
 
Overcomes limitations of genealogical software to create well organized, industry standard reference notes and source lists.


=== Information  ===
=== Information  ===


table<br>
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | #
! scope="col" | Maturity Level
! scope="col" | Information
! scope="col" | Check
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
 
1. Entry
 
Typically does not realize the need to judge information quality and has no basis for doing so.
 
2. Emerging
 
Emerging realization that information quality differs. Muddles evaluation by thinking of primary/secondary sources instead of primary/secondary information, leading to muddled evaluation when sources contain both.
 
3. Practicing
 
Judges information by source type, informant knowledge, and record timing. Applies "primary/secondary" to information instead of sources.
 
4. Proficient
 
Additionally, learns history necessary to recognize and evaluate all explicit information in a source.
 
5. Stellar
 
Additionally, utilizes implicit information in a source. Finds information in cases like illegitimacy that stump most researchers.


=== Evidence  ===
=== Evidence  ===


table<br>
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | #
! scope="col" | Maturity Level
! scope="col" | Evidence
! scope="col" | Check
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
 
1. Entry
 
Limited understanding of evidence and the role it plays. Typically ignores conflicting evidence.
 
2. Emerging
 
Captures direct, supporting evidence and increasingly depends upon it.
 
3. Practicing
 
Additionally, captures directly conflicting evidence.
 
4. Proficient
 
Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, supporting evidence.
 
5. Stellar
 
Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, conflicting evidence.


=== Conclusions  ===
=== Conclusions  ===


table<br>  
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | #
! scope="col" | Maturity Level
! scope="col" | Conclusions
! scope="col" | Check
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
 
1. Entry
 
In the absence of analysis, reaches conclusions by instinct.
 
2. Emerging
 
Learning to evaluate the quality of sources, information, and evidence. Emerging ability to resolve minor discrepancies.
 
3. Practicing
 
Additionally, resolves conflicting evidence or uses it to disprove prevalent opinion. Usually applies correct identity to persons mentioned in sources.
 
4. Proficient
 
Additionally, when necessary creates soundly reasoned, coherently documented conclusions utilizing direct and indirect evidence.
 
5. Stellar
 
Additionally: Publishes clear and convincing conclusions. Teaches and inspires others.
 
<br>  


== Self Improvement  ==
== Self Improvement  ==
1,147

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