Cousins and Colleagues,
The following article has been given to us for our consideration. I
thought you might enjoy the comments of someone who is not a
subscriber to our List, yet feels as we do the importance of
obtaining correct information. You will note that he encourages
sharing with others. As we all practice the two-fold approach of
careful documentation and generous assistance to others, we may each
in our own way help to combat some of the pitfalls he mentions.
Best Regards!
JS
List Custodian
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(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 result 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 be 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 guidelines. 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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Hi -
I would be happy for you to pass this message along to others and ask
them to also pass it along! Many people don't realize the impact it
has on future records when they collect unfounded data and pass along
to Companies who sell undocumented information.
Best Regards
Roy Eastes, Gulfport, MS
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James Shuman, instructor
Modesto High School
jshuman(a)telis.org
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