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Contradictions and discrepancies (view source)
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The best way to analyze information is by thoroughly researching and comparing against each other ALL the sources about an ancestor and his family. Understanding how to interpret the sources cannot happen until a researcher has detected and analyzed the differences and similarities between sources. Pondering and explaining discrepancies and contradictions is a crucial part of the analysis process. | The best way to analyze information is by thoroughly researching and comparing against each other ALL the sources about an ancestor and his family. Understanding how to interpret the sources cannot happen until a researcher has detected and analyzed the differences and similarities between sources. Pondering and explaining discrepancies and contradictions is a crucial part of the analysis process. | ||
== Any contradictory evidence must be resolved<ref>''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43567656&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual]'' (Orem, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 2000), 1-2, and Thomas W. Jones, "Proved?: Five Ways to Prove Who Your Ancestor Was" (printed handout for a lecture presented to library staff, 23 October 2003, Family History Library, Salt Lake City), 1-2.</ref> == | == Any contradictory evidence must be resolved<ref>''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43567656&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual]'' (Orem, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 2000), 1-2, and Thomas W. Jones, "Proved?: Five Ways to Prove Who Your Ancestor Was" (printed handout for a lecture presented to library staff, 23 October 2003, Family History Library, Salt Lake City), 1-2.</ref> == | ||
The best researchers always openly acknowledge, analyze, and attempt to explain discrepancies. It shows the thoroughness of their research, their openness with '''''all''''' the evidence, and their analytical and reasoning skills. Knowing and admitting the weaknesses of a case leads to better analysis and conclusions. It strengthens the genealogical community by setting an example of honesty, and pointing the way to better interpretation of the evidence. | The best researchers always openly acknowledge, analyze, and attempt to explain discrepancies. It shows the thoroughness of their research, their openness with '''''all''''' the evidence, and their analytical and reasoning skills. Knowing and admitting the weaknesses of a case leads to better analysis and conclusions. It strengthens the genealogical community by setting an example of honesty, and pointing the way to better interpretation of the evidence. | ||
If a researcher hesitates to use sources with contradictions or discrepancies he may overlook important evidence. If he hesitates to mention discrepancies it makes his case look weaker. Other researchers may come to believe evidence was overlooked, or that such research is unreliable. | If a researcher hesitates to use sources with contradictions or discrepancies he may overlook important evidence. If he hesitates to mention discrepancies it makes his case look weaker. Other researchers may come to believe evidence was overlooked, or that such research is unreliable. | ||
== Weigh these factors == | == Weigh these factors == | ||
As you analyze a contradiction or discrepancy, weigh the following factors from the Wiki article [[Use the Information# | As you analyze a contradiction or discrepancy, weigh the following factors from the Wiki article [[Use the Information#Evaluate_the_Evidence|Evaluate the Evidence]] to help determine which sources are most trustworthy, and to help explain possible causes of the problem:<br> | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Relevance_of_the_Record|Relevance of the Record]] | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Category_of_the_Record|Category of the Record]] | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Format_of_the_Record|Format of the Record]] | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Nature_of_the_Information|Nature of the Information]] | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Directness_of_the_Evidence|Directness of the Evidence]] | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Consistency_and_Clarity_of_the_Facts|Consistency and Clarity of the Facts]] | ||
*[[Use the Information# | *[[Use the Information#Likelihood_of_Events|Likelihood of Events]] | ||
== Explain the problem and its resolution == | == Explain the problem and its resolution == | ||
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People and places sometimes have more than one name. People may go by their formal full name, by an alias, by married or maiden name, by nicknames, by middle name, by initials, or by abbreviated names. Different languages and different cultures affect the way names appear in records. | People and places sometimes have more than one name. People may go by their formal full name, by an alias, by married or maiden name, by nicknames, by middle name, by initials, or by abbreviated names. Different languages and different cultures affect the way names appear in records. | ||
'''''Solution:''''' Most of the time name differences are somewhat obvious, for example Bill for William. But when a genealogist finds a document for an ancestor with a less obvious name change it is best to explain why it is the same person. | '''''Solution:''''' Most of the time name differences are somewhat obvious, for example Bill for William. But when a genealogist finds a document for an ancestor with a less obvious name change it is best to explain why it is the same person. | ||
=== Dates === | === Dates === | ||
Probably the most common cause of date differences is faulty memory. Usually, a date which were recorded near the time of an event is more reliable than a date recorded years later from memory. Also, calendar systems vary from place to place and from time to time. Be sure you understand the calendar your ancestor used, especially when the calendar changed at the beginning of the year, or during the switch from Julian to Gregorian calendar. | Probably the most common cause of date differences is faulty memory. Usually, a date which were recorded near the time of an event is more reliable than a date recorded years later from memory. Also, calendar systems vary from place to place and from time to time. Be sure you understand the calendar your ancestor used, especially when the calendar changed at the beginning of the year, or during the switch from Julian to Gregorian calendar. | ||
'''''Solution:''''' Weighing all the factors in favor and against the reliability of documents with conflicting dates for the same event, choose the one you judge to be most reliable. Use it on your genealogy, and explain what accounts for the others in footnotes. | '''''Solution:''''' Weighing all the factors in favor and against the reliability of documents with conflicting dates for the same event, choose the one you judge to be most reliable. Use it on your genealogy, and explain what accounts for the others in footnotes. | ||
=== Places === | === Places === | ||
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Boundaries and place names sometimes change. As a result of boundary changes a family living in the same house over a lifetime may have had to visit three or four county seats to conduct their business. The same town may sometimes go by an Indian or a different European name. Researchers often give modern names for places that went by a different name at the time of the event—for example, pre-Civil War West Virginia. | Boundaries and place names sometimes change. As a result of boundary changes a family living in the same house over a lifetime may have had to visit three or four county seats to conduct their business. The same town may sometimes go by an Indian or a different European name. Researchers often give modern names for places that went by a different name at the time of the event—for example, pre-Civil War West Virginia. | ||
'''''Solution:''''' Decide to consistently use either the old name/jurisdiction at the time of the event, or the modern name/jurisdiction and stick with that decision. Use footnotes to explain the other versions. | '''''Solution:''''' Decide to consistently use either the old name/jurisdiction at the time of the event, or the modern name/jurisdiction and stick with that decision. Use footnotes to explain the other versions. | ||
=== Relationships === | === Relationships === | ||
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Always question the independence of sources. Did one source depend on the other for information, or did it come by that information without reference to the other? Was there a motive for the information provider, recorder, record keeper, or a genealogist to ‘fudge’?Was the informant in a position to know, or is this second-hand information?<br> | Always question the independence of sources. Did one source depend on the other for information, or did it come by that information without reference to the other? Was there a motive for the information provider, recorder, record keeper, or a genealogist to ‘fudge’?Was the informant in a position to know, or is this second-hand information?<br> | ||
'''''Solution:''''' An important part of genealogical research is the gathering, collation, correlation, interpretation, and analysis of all available sources against each other. When almost all the available sources about a family have been considered, you are best able to judge which are the most reliable, and reach reasonable conclusions. Always explain and resolve significant conflicts between sources. Write a statement explaining your thinking and share it with other researchers. | '''''Solution:''''' An important part of genealogical research is the gathering, collation, correlation, interpretation, and analysis of all available sources against each other. When almost all the available sources about a family have been considered, you are best able to judge which are the most reliable, and reach reasonable conclusions. Always explain and resolve significant conflicts between sources. Write a statement explaining your thinking and share it with other researchers. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Research_Analysis]] [[Category:Beginners]] | [[Category:Research_Analysis]] [[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Research Process]] [[Category:Use the Information]] | ||