Hello,
Good article and link.
John R. Carpenter
La Mesa, CA
When it comes to genealogy, citing and verifying every source is vital
By Barry Ewell
For the Deseret News
Published: Saturday, Aug. 3 2013 5:00 a.m. MDT
Summary: Citing and verifying every piece of information you receive is critical to make
sure your genealogy work is correct.
Article:
I was given copies of some genealogy information for Christmas in 1990, but I didn't
pay too much attention to it for 14 years.
As I reviewed the materials in 2004, I found one genealogy line had ended in the late
1700s in North Carolina. I began the process of becoming familiar with the line and
finally decided that I would like to see if I could extend it. Within a few weeks of
research, I cracked the puzzle and was able to start moving the line out. Over a period of
two years, I extended it several generations. I had carefully documented my research and
was quite proud of what I had done.
On one of my genealogy field trips, I made arrangements to visit a distant cousin and
collaborate my findings about this line with hers. Within two minutes of looking at my
research, she told me that the person from whom I began my research was not the right
person. With further discussion, she explained that the person I had listed was in fact in
England at the time I had her marrying her husband in North Carolina. She didn't
arrive in America for another 10 years.
Where had I gone wrong? I should have taken time to confirm the information that I had
been given in 1990. I just assumed it was correct. There was no documentation. That
assumption was a costly but valuable error on my part. I learned the value of analysis and
hoped I would not make that mistake again. ...
More at:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865584036/When-it-comes-to-genealogy-c...