Hi Everyone! Happy New Year!
This suggestion is not only for new family history researchers but it also
serves to jiggle the minds of us old timers too!
Let's all make a resolution to help eliminate errors in our family history
In December 1999, I wrote the following article to help increase the
awareness of the many pitfalls found in genealogical resources. I am
submitting this again to remind us all of our responsibilities toward
perpetuating the truth and accuracy in our historical records.
(Reprint)
HOW ACCURATE ARE OUR RECORDS?
By LeRoy F. Eastes
3 December 1999
When we record our heritage we take great pride in looking at our list of
ancestors and admire their origins, migrations and accomplishments. But,
what good is it - unless it's true?
In recent years there are more and more genealogical assumptions and
misleading information being circulated due the coming of the internet. I
know most of it is unintentional, as I have found myself guilty of doing the
same thing in the past. This innocent practice comes about by picking up
information that is not documented or if it is we don't check the validity of
the references. Then with all good intentions, we record it and pass it on
not knowing if it is true or not!
An element of error has always existed in genealogical research. If we look
closely at public documents, errors have been found in almost every type of
legal record that ever existed. Wills, marriage, birth, land, court and
military records. Many times these are the results of human error but some
have been intentionally induced for a variety of personal reasons.
The coming of the internet has been a great boon for genealogical research.
At the same time it's multiplying errors and is out of control like a
contagious disease. There are many individuals and organizations that collect
files from donors everywhere they can be found, which in itself is fine.
Unfortunately, not all of these records are correct. Many do not show any
documentation, others are found with misleading and often inaccurate
information and references. Also unfortunately, some researchers are too
eager to grab the first thing that "sounds reasonable" and treat it as a
gospel fact. These records are copied by the unwary, passed on to an untold
number of others, accepted as fact and the problem is perpetuated into the
future.
.
There is nothing wrong with recording and passing along estimates of dates,
places and even theories and stories. This is where we find the key elements
that lead to the true picture of the past. However, information of this
nature must be recognized and treated as such by all of us.
This is a very serious problem and recognized by the National Genealogical
Society. They felt it to so important they published a Special Edition to
their quarterly publication, titled, "Evidence" - Volume 87, 3 September
1999.
The following are the Standards recommend by the Society and can be found on
the internet at -
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/
(I suggest everyone take a look at Consumer Relations while
on this site)
Standards For Sound Genealogical Research
(Recommended by the National Genealogical Society)
Remembering always that they are engaged in a quest for truth, family history
researchers consistently -
- record the source for each item of information they collect.
- test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence, and
reject those that are not supported by the evidence.
- seek original records, or reproduced images of them when there is
reasonable assurance they have not been altered, as the basis for
their
research conclusions.
- use compilations, communications and published works, whether
paper
or electronic, primarily for their value as guides to locating the
original records.
- state something as a fact only when it is supported by convincing
evidence, and identify the evidence when communicating the fact to
others.
- limit with words like "probable" or "possible" any
statement that
is
based on less than convincing evidence, and state the reasons for
concluding that it is probable or possible.
- avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or
carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information.
- state carefully and honestly the results of their own research, and
acknowledge all use of others work.
- recognize the collegial nature of genealogical research by making
their work available to others through publication, or by placing
copies
in appropriate libraries or repositories, and by welcoming critical
comment.
- consider with open minds new evidence or the comments of others on
their work and the conclusions they have reached.
©1997 by National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy
or publish this material provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including
this notice
This is followed by two more sections titled:
- Standards for Using Records Repositories And Libraries.
- Standards For Use Of Technology In Genealogical Research.
I encourage everyone to consider these guide lines. All of us who are
searching for our ancestors should make an attempt to minimize the
possibility of errors. If we don't, our children's children will be led down
false trails and they will never be able to find their true heritage.
Le Roy F. Eastes Ph (228) 832-2214
17271 Lowery Rd
Gulfport, MS 39503
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When we record our heritage we take great pride in looking at our list of
ancestors and admire their origins, migrations and accomplishments. But,
what good is it - unless it’s true?
We need stories and rumors, they are great and often lead to the truth!
BUT - Help eliminate errors. Don't take anything as Fact! Check references
for validity! If we don’t our children’s children will be led down false
trails and they will never be able to find their true heritage.