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.[[Image:Rookie Mistakes.jpg|frame|right|250x220px]] | .[[Image:Rookie Mistakes.jpg|frame|right|250x220px|Rookie Mistakes.jpg]] | ||
A list of rookie mistakes, their consequences, and what experienced genealogists ''DO BETTER''. A self-improvement checklist. | A list of rookie mistakes, their consequences, and what experienced genealogists ''DO BETTER''. A self-improvement checklist. | ||
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== Rookies jump to conclusions which aren't supported by evidence<br> == | == Rookies jump to conclusions which aren't supported by evidence<br> == | ||
Rookies are often too quick to draw conclusions without enough evidence. For example, when rookies find records for individuals with the same name, they may assume the records represent the same person when they | Rookies are often too quick to draw conclusions without enough evidence. For example, when rookies find records for individuals with the same name, they may assume the records represent the same person when they do not. For instance, a census record showing William Bescoby born about 1811 in Lincolnshire, England, and a marriage record showing William Bescoby married in 1835 in Lincolnshire, England can easily appear to be about the same person. Without doing additional research, a rookie may conclude these two records represent the same person. But further research in census and other records would have shown they do not. | ||
'''''Consequences:''''' Incorrect family trees, incorrect relationships, incorrect merges in Family Tree, time spent researching incorrect lines. | '''''Consequences:''''' Incorrect family trees, incorrect relationships, incorrect merges in Family Tree, time spent researching incorrect lines. | ||
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== Rookies overlook relatives and neighbors == | == Rookies overlook relatives and neighbors == | ||
They may notice someone else in the same household on the census and pay little attention. They also overlook neighbors with the same unusual first names, occupations, or place of origin on the census. They may fail to notice that the same neighbor may appear in a subsequent census with your ancestor even when they have moved to a different state. | They may notice someone else in the same household on the census and pay little attention. They also overlook neighbors with the same unusual first names, occupations, or place of origin on the census. They may fail to notice that the same neighbor may appear in a subsequent census with your ancestor even when they have moved to a different state. | ||
'''''Consequences:''''' Rookies do not realize that neighbors are often relatives, nor do they recognize the value of relatives in finding clues about the family. They do not realize that studying the neighbor will often reveal information about the ancestor. | '''''Consequences:''''' Rookies do not realize that neighbors are often relatives, nor do they recognize the value of relatives in finding clues about the family. They do not realize that studying the neighbor will often reveal information about the ancestor. | ||
'''''Experienced researchers''''' always make note of everyone in the census household, and neighbors with similar surnames, given names, occupations, and places of origin. [[Research a Family in Community Context|Proximity implies relationship]]. They assume they are probably relatives or close friends and may research such neighbors when research on the main family doesn't work. | '''''Experienced researchers''''' always make note of everyone in the census household, and neighbors with similar surnames, given names, occupations, and places of origin. [[Research a Family in Community Context|Proximity implies relationship]]. They assume they are probably relatives or close friends and may research such neighbors when research on the main family doesn't work. | ||
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== Rookies avoid discussing contradictory evidence == | == Rookies avoid discussing contradictory evidence == | ||
Rookies may reject sources that show the ancestor’s name spelled differently than expected. Even the use of a previously unknown nick name or a middle name may be rejected without adequate study to understand their useage. They may suppress sources that disagree with their point of view by not citing them. And if they do cite such sources, they may fail to acknowledge the contradictions. | Rookies may reject sources that show the ancestor’s name spelled differently than expected. Even the use of a previously unknown nick name or a middle name may be rejected without adequate study to understand their useage. They may suppress sources that disagree with their point of view by not citing them. And if they do cite such sources, they may fail to acknowledge the contradictions. | ||
'''''Consequences:''''' Overlooked sources, under used sources, or poor evaluation of sources. This can lead to conclusions based on less than all the best available evidence. | '''''Consequences:''''' Overlooked sources, under used sources, or poor evaluation of sources. This can lead to conclusions based on less than all the best available evidence. | ||