Hi Robert. Yes, there are "mistakes" all over these histories. That
chapter on the Baptist Churches in Gibson County is a blatant example with
the dates and people mixing up within a few paragraphs. People either
forgot exact specifics (or possibly changed them for some
self-aggrandizement!), the transcription of their information was incorrect,
or, as with one case I know of a birth date was definitely proven to have
been changed likely to hide illegitimacy.
These books are not genealogical data. They are a resource to let us know
something of how people lived their lives and where they lived. The authors
have given us a rich document from which we can glean bits of info that may
send us in a great direction in finding more about our ancestors. Everyone
should be aware of this as sometimes, say when we first come across these
volumes, we get very excited just to see history written. So, take it with
a grain of salt, and then go locally to find the answers (email, call, write
to churches that are in the area now, etc.). And good luck in your
research.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert L Webb" <bwebb9(a)juno.com>
To: <INGIBSON-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2000 9:45 AM
Subject: Thank You
| Thank you to the person (whose name is not given) who posted and sent me
| the scanned pages regarding the Regular Baptist church from Tartt's
| history. I appreciate seeing this for the first time. It is full of
| mistakes, however, and the dates of the churches and names of the
| ministers are wrong in several cases, so everyone should be advised not
| to rely on this article for historical purposes. The note at the bottom
| indicates data was given by Elder Joel Hume for the article, but does not
| say that he wrote the article. It appears obvious to me that it was
| actually written by someone else, who was not relying on documented
| facts. Joel Hume was an outstanding man, honest beyond question. I have
| computerized his debate with Benoni Stinson, founder of the General
| Baptists.
| Robert Webb
|
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