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change URL Ken Smith
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*''directness'' of the evidence | *''directness'' of the evidence | ||
Here are some sample types of questions you may wish to ask: | Here are some sample types of questions you may wish to ask: | ||
*When and where was the record created? | |||
*Who created the record? | *When and where was the record created? | ||
*Why was the record created? | *Who created the record? | ||
*Who provided the information for the record? | *Why was the record created? | ||
*How was the information recorded? | *Who provided the information for the record? | ||
*How was the record preserved? | *How was the information recorded? | ||
*What kind of information is missing or incomplete in the record? | *How was the record preserved? | ||
*Are there any other records that are usually associated with the record? | *What kind of information is missing or incomplete in the record? | ||
*Which records came just before and after this record and would they give further information? | *Are there any other records that are usually associated with the record? | ||
*Is the record part of a series of records that may contain further information about the family? | *Which records came just before and after this record and would they give further information? | ||
*Where are other associated records located? | *Is the record part of a series of records that may contain further information about the family? | ||
*How reliable is the information contained in the record? | *Where are other associated records located? | ||
*How reliable is the information contained in the record? | |||
*What other information is suggested by the record but missing? | *What other information is suggested by the record but missing? | ||
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*'''''Original records''''' tend to be more accurate than derivative records. They were written close in time to the events they record. However, on occasion the recorder may have made a mistake. Infrequently an original record is deliberately falsified, such as "back dating" a marriage to account for the early birth of the first child. Even a source recorded close to the time of the event may have errors. | *'''''Original records''''' tend to be more accurate than derivative records. They were written close in time to the events they record. However, on occasion the recorder may have made a mistake. Infrequently an original record is deliberately falsified, such as "back dating" a marriage to account for the early birth of the first child. Even a source recorded close to the time of the event may have errors. | ||
*'''''Derivative records''''' tend to be easier to use and contain more information. However, they represent a reiteration of information from one or more other sources. The author may not have had enough information to adequately interpret the other sources. On the other hand, the compiler may have known of errors in the other sources and corrected or explained them in the compilation.<br> | *'''''Derivative records''''' tend to be easier to use and contain more information. However, they represent a reiteration of information from one or more other sources. The author may not have had enough information to adequately interpret the other sources. On the other hand, the compiler may have known of errors in the other sources and corrected or explained them in the compilation.<br> | ||
*'''''Finding aids''''' sometimes contain mistakes that can mislead the researcher, such as wrong page numbers in an index. | *'''''Finding aids''''' sometimes contain mistakes that can mislead the researcher, such as wrong page numbers in an index. | ||
*'''''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. | ||
{| | {| style="width: 494px; height: 41px" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | | ||
'''Even a source recorded close to the time of the event may have errors.''' | '''Even a source recorded close to the time of the event may have errors.''' | ||
|} | |} | ||
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A key to interpreting information is determining how close in time it was recorded to the event it describes. ''Information'' is the statement(s) of fact(s) in a record, not the record itself. It is either primary or secondary. | A key to interpreting information is determining how close in time it was recorded to the event it describes. ''Information'' is the statement(s) of fact(s) in a record, not the record itself. It is either primary or secondary. | ||
'''''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> | ||
{| | {| style="width: 221px; height: 34px" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Prefer primary information.''' | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Prefer primary information.''' | ||
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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. | ||
{| | {| style="width: 221px; height: 34px" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Prefer direct evidence.''' | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Prefer direct evidence.''' | ||
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*Areas under French control used a different calendar from 1797 to 1805. | *Areas under French control used a different calendar from 1797 to 1805. | ||
For more information see—<br>Smith, Kenneth L. [ | For more information see—<br>Smith, Kenneth L. [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog-search-api%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F15940 ''Genealogical Dates: A User-Friendly Guide'']. Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1994. (FHL book 529.3 Sm61g.) | ||
'''''Places.''''' Are the places named and clearly identified? Do place names match those given in other information about the family? Places of origin or foreign names may not have been recorded accurately. Names of cities may also be the names of states or counties, such as Hannover or York. Can you determine the jurisdictions for the places given? | '''''Places.''''' Are the places named and clearly identified? Do place names match those given in other information about the family? Places of origin or foreign names may not have been recorded accurately. Names of cities may also be the names of states or counties, such as Hannover or York. Can you determine the jurisdictions for the places given? | ||
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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. | ||
{| | {| style="width: 358px; height: 40px" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Proof is the accumulation of acceptable evidence.''' | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''Proof is the accumulation of acceptable evidence.''' | ||