Methodology Monday-Using the Genealogical Proof Standard to Guide Your Genealogy Journey

Methodology Monday has focused on the 5 Elements of the Genealogical Proof Standard to help the many who have asked questions about the how and why of using these standards.

Questions and comments from readers, class participants, and those attending my presentations have wondered if they needed to learn and study the GPS when they are not planning on doing research professionally.  

My answer is always YES! If you want your research to be based on solid ground, to be credible and not at high risk of being proven incorrect, the elements contained in the GPS need to be applied for every person and family you are gathering information on. 

Need a refresher on what the GPS is and how to use it?
Here are my posts on each part of the process.

Reasonably Exhaustive Research
Source Citations
Analysis and Correlation
Resolving Conflicts
The How and Why of Sound Conclusions

Want to know more? Want to be able to take the GPS step by step and practice using your own research?
Introducing my new class:
The Genealogical Proof Standard: A Guide for Your Genealogy Journey

 A self-paced class! Sign up and take as long as you need to complete each of the four lessons.
An optional Facebook group has been created for asking questions, leaving comments, and getting to know others who are participating in the class. 


What will we be learning?
Here's an outline for the month of classes:

Lesson 1-Reasonably Exhaustive Research

Gathering the Information

Lesson 2-Complete and Accurate Citations

Leaving a Trail to Follow

Lesson 3-Analysis, Correlation, and Conflicting Evidence

Taking a Good Look

Lesson 4- The Written Conclusion

Summing it Up

Each lesson includes a video and written Lesson, resource materials, and an assignment.
The homework assignment is not mandatory and will not be graded.
The purpose is to help you put the things you are learning into practice.
If you choose to do the homework and send it to me and I will give you positive feedback and helpful suggestions.

This class is for beginners as well as those who have more research experience. 
 It will help build good habits and sharpen skills.

How do you register?
The class is hosted on Research Write Connect, a learning platform from Lisa Also,
Click here to sign up and receive $20 off by using the coupon code: GPS20
The code is good until July 7, 2020.


Hope to see you in class!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Methodology Monday-The How and Why of Writing Sound Conclusions

GPS Element Number 5: Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.[1]

The fifth element in the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) can sometimes seem overwhelming. Maybe you are not feeling confident about your writing? 

Understanding what and how- plus some practice will help.

What is a Sound Conclusion and how do we write one?

 Writing about the process of answering our research question is simply sharing what we know and why we know it. Sound means that our writing makes sense and has the evidence to back it up.

Depending on what our research question was and what type of records and documents we have collected our written conclusion can be:

 Proof Statement-the answer to a research question easily with records that are credible with no conflict. These records would typically be original with primary information. When this is the case, a simple few sentences followed by source citations is all that is necessary. What was my question, how did I answer, and here’s my proof? Short and sweet.

Proof Summary -longer than a proof statement due to the number and types of records used to come up with a conclusion. The evidence for a proof summary should come from sources that include primary, original evidence with some being independent of each other.

There are different ways to write a proof summary. The conclusion can be written at the beginning or the end of the narrative. Bullet points can be used to show the reasons for your conclusion. 

Proof Arguments- used when a question that is harder to prove and a simple proof statement or summary is not enough to explain how you came to your conclusion. 

They usually involve complicated evidence with questions not easily answered.

• The beginning typically states the question, what is known about the person you are researching, and what you believe the conclusion to be.

• The middle will lay out all the information you have found and give the details as to why you have reached your conclusion. This should be easy for anyone to read and follow. For this section, you can use charts, maps, lists, or any other type of visual that will help to show the results of your research. The whole point of this section is to show that you feel you have answered the question and why. 

• The end will sum everything up and once again state the question and the conclusion 

For Each Type

Write clearly in a narrative format with foot or endnotes for our sources.  Many suggest a “write as you go” process. As you are consistent in writing where and when you searched, what you found and what your analysis shows, it becomes easier to plug this information into a written conclusion no matter the type.

To help you with your writing, read examples from genealogy journals such as The National Genealogical Society Quarterly

Look to see what else is available Nationally, State, or published by local societies.

The written conclusion is the last step in the Genealogical Proof Standard. In it, we show we have followed the other GPS elements and are working hard to do our best work. Other researchers can be assured that we have come to the best answers to our questions with the records available and know that they can trust our research.

Understanding these concepts and along with practicing by writing as you go will build your confidence in your writing and help you fulfill this element of the Genealogical Proof Standard.


Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

---

[1] Board for Certification of Genealogists, Genealogy Standards, second edition (Nashville, TN: Ancestry, 2019), 1–3.

Methodology Monday-Source Citations

Genealogical Proof Standard Element 2-Complete Source Citations

For many of us, crafting source citation is the  most intimidating part of the Genealogical Proof Standard, Thinking about them can make even the most seasoned genealogist squirm.

Why Do We Need Citations?

First, let’s look at why we need to be able to create a citation for each source we use. Properly recording the records, books, webpages or microfilms that we have used to identify and place individuals on our family trees not only helps us to not duplicate research, but will let others know that we value and take seriously the work we are doing.

Preventing Duplicate Work

There’s not much more frustrating than not being able to find a record you have used to identify an individual on your family tree. Let’s face it. We’ve all done it. Have you ever wanted to return to a previously found record and seen something like this “found on the 1910 Census”? No mention of where you found it. What a waste of time to have to go back and look for it again. 

Research Credibility

The citing of sources shows the researcher has done the work to ensure they can show where they found the information for each fact. It also allows others who are viewing those facts to be able to retrace the researcher’s steps in order to see for themselves if they come to the same conclusion.  Many online trees, published works, and family websites have wonderful information but no sources mentioned or citations given. Have you ever sent a letter or emailed someone to see where they got their information only to be told they had no idea? A good researcher uses a properly cited source. It helps all of us,

How to Create Source Citations

Now that we’ve talked about why we should take the time to cite those sources, let’s talk about how.

It can seem very intimidating until you understand what is needed.

In his book, Mastering Genealogical Proof[1], by Tom W. Jones, gives five questions that our citations should answer.

1-Who- the name of the author, creator or person who gave the information

2-What-the title of the source.

3-When-the publication date, the record date. We can also use an estimated date or n.d. if the source is not dated. The date of an online search should be recorded as well.

4-Where in? Where in the source is the record located? These can be a volume or page number, if unpublished the person or persons of interest, or state how in the record the item can be found such as in alphabetical order.

5-Where is the source? The location of the repository with film or file number, collection, etc. should be included. Publication information should also be included when applicable.

Sound complicated? Actually, once you get the hang of it, it’s not that bad. It’s an art form and with practice it won’t take much time at all to craft a good source citation.

1850 Sumter County, SC Census
William J. Dorrity Family

Here’s an example from an 1850 Census Record:

1850 U.S. census, Sumter District, South Carolina, population schedule, p. 38A (printed), dwelling 1151, family 1151, Wm Dorrity: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 09 May 2020); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 414.

This shows:

Who-Sumter District, South Carolina

What-US Census

When-1850

Where in -page with dwelling and family numbers

Where is- Ancestry citing NARA films

Cite What You See

 Always cite the record you are viewing. Are you looking at an original or a digitized image? A book or a canned version? Which website are you on etc. Why does this matter? Because each content provider scans and indexes their information differently. Sometimes images on one site are better than another. If you are looking at FamilySearch for instance and then add the source information for the same census record on Ancestry, you or someone else looking at your work may have a hard time locating the exact record. Once again causing time to be wasted. So always cite the actual record you are looking at.

Tips for Creating Citations

  Study Evidence Explained [2] by Elizabeth Shown Mills. Begin with reading chapters 1 and 2. These will explain the importance of citing your sources. It includes templates for just about any type of record,

  Create citations using the template in a computer software program. Many of the Genealogy Computer programs include fill in the blank forms that will produce good, quality citations. Try to learn as you input information into the boxes. What information is asked for? It's a good way to practice so that when you are at a library, archives, or another repository, you will be able to create your sources as you go.

  Take online classes, watch webinars, and attend conference sessions on citations. There are blog posts and articles on learning the best way to write them.

      

  Make a Citation Template on Excel, Evernote, or another platform that you like.  As you create your citations add them to the template. The next time you need to cite a similar source, all you have to do is fill in the blanks.       

  Here's an example for the 1850 Census record mentioned above.  Having this template helps each time a citation is needed for that census.

[Year] U.S. census, [County] County, [State], population schedule, [City], Enumeration District [ED] ___, p. ____ [(penned) or (stamped)], dwelling ____, family ___, [name]: digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed [date]); from National Archives microfilm publication __, roll ___, image ____.

Fill in the information and you have your citation. This saves time and as you use your template it will become second nature. The format for each type of record will become understandable. Pretty soon you may not need to use it at all and can create citations on your own.

· 

Using Source Information from a Website

Can’t I just copy and paste the source information included with the record provided online?  Online record repositories like Ancestry and FamilySearch are getting better about giving full citations.  Before you copy and paste, take a look and evaluate based on the Who, What, When, Where is and Where in approach. Remember that image numbers and the location of record groups on a web site often change over time. There are also times when a record is no longer available on the web site you got it from. A complete source citation is important to help you find the record again should either of these things happen.

Beginner Mistakes

When I began my genealogy journey over 30 years ago, the importance of adding those source citations -a proper citation-was foreign to me. Many records were never sourced.  Are there still some in my database that are not cited correctly? You bet! But, I am working on it. The most important thing is that I learned from my mistakes and try hard to create the citation as I research. Sometimes, as we all do, I get on a roll online and am an hour into searching online when I step back and realize I am finding records, but not citing them as I should. Or, I get so excited at a repository that I neglect going through the steps that I know I ought to and come out with an incomplete citation. I am working hard to make those incidences fewer and be committed to doing quality work by adding those citations, for each record, every time.

It's More Than A Trail

As you go through the steps of producing a good trail back to the records you have used to document your family, you will be taking a closer look at what records you have collected. Thinking about a document and where and when it was created and by whom will help you to understand the quality of the source. Is it reliable? Was is it made at the time of the event or years later. Who may have given the information it contains and is there a chance that the informant may have been mistaken? Why was it made? All of these questions are a part of the analysis that we should do for every source we find. The process of creating the citation and adding all the proper elements will help us do that. If we don’t create those citations, we may inadvertently miss something and come to the wrong conclusions about our ancestors.

The second element of the Genealogical Proof Standard, Citing Sources, will help to support our research, proof arguments and make sure our current thinking and conclusions are sound. To answer the question. Source Citations-Do I really have to?
Yes, yes, you really do!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

---

[1] Jones, Thomas W. Mastering Genealogical Proof. Arlington, VA: National Genealogical Society, 2013.

[2] Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub., 2007. Print.

Methodology Monday~Analysis and Correlation

Element 3 in the Genealogical Proof Standard is Analysis and Correction.

What does that mean and how do you go about doing it?

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Analysis

Looking at your records to see :

Why it was created?
   What is the purpose of the record? To record birth, death, marriage, etc.?
When was it made? 
   At the time of the event of many years after?
Who crafted the document?  
    A government official, personal record, etc.
What condition is it in?
    Is it an original or transcription or a compilation of someone else's work?
    Is it clear and legible or in bad shape, torn and hard to read?
Where is it now, and where was it in the past?
   Is it still in the original office or owner or has it been passed down through many hands leaving it vulnerable to changes?
  Can you trust the information?
   Would there have been a reason to give false data such as a bride wanting to appear old enough to marry or a baby born longer than 9 months after a wedding, etc.?

What type of information does the record provide?
Your documents are either:
Primary-information coming from someone who witnessed the event
Secondary-information coming from someone who was told about the event
Indeterminable-supplier of information not known.

Each of these questions will help you to analyze the data recorded in the documents you find. The answers will help you to know if the information included is trustworthy.

Once you have analyzed each record for clues to your genealogy question, the next step is to correlate what you have found.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Correlation
Seeing What They Are Saying

Correlation means to look at all your pieces of information.
Do they agree with each other or do you have data that doesn't match- such as different parents,  conflicting dates, etc?
Timelines, charts, and spreadsheets are great ways to look at the data you have extracted from your records and see what you have.
Do you have documents whose informer was the same person? An example is a death certificate, obituary, and headstone. These need to be placed together as one source due to the fact the same person was asked to provide the information Whether right or wrong.
If you find conflicting information you must stop and try to resolve what you have found.
How? By looking at your analysis of each record and trying to determine which is the most correct.
You may need to do more research.

My post: Resolving Conflicts, another in the Methodology Monday series may help you with questions on how to get past the conflicts and determine the most correct piece of information if possible.

By analyzing the records you find and correlating the data contained in them, you will be on the path to finding the best answers to your genealogy questions.

How has using analysis and correlation helped you in your research?



Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Methodology Monday~Resolving Conflicts

You've gathered several documents recording an event in your ancestor's life and as you look at the information provided, you notice there's a problem. 
The data given is not the same.
It may be different dates, places or even names. What do you do then?
Element 4 of the Genealogical Proof Standard is the Resolution of Conflicts, but how? 

If the analysis of your records show the conflict is minor and can be easily explained, such as differing birth dates in census records, a short sentence about how this is a common problem with these records should suffice. 
But what if you have a major problem?
Differing parents or spouses names, location or date variations, etc. 
How do you resolve the issue and come up with the best possible answer?

To be able to resolve conflicting evidence, you first must notice that you have one.

 Writing in narrative form as you research is a good way to record the data you are finding. As you write it should become clear if things are not adding up.
Once you see that your evidence is not agreeing, each piece needs to be examined to determine which is more likely to be correct.

Look at what you have gathered. Read back over your notes. Analyze to see who created the record and why,  who the informant was, and determine if it was created at the time of the event. Does your information come from an original or a copy that may have errors?

As you work through your conflicting evidence, you may be able to decide which is the most reliable and why.

If you are able to come to a conclusion and are able to resolve your conflict, take the time to write down your findings and what lead you to your conclusion.

This serves two purposes. 

1-A resolution of the conflict allows you to move on with your research

2-By keeping written notes on the process and the conclusion you can revisit your thought process if you ever question it or if someone else does.

It's important to know that some conflicts may not be able to be resolved with the records that are available. Even after exhaustive research, there may not be enough to give a confident answer. If that is the case, write up why you feel it can't be resolved at this time.

Records may become available in the future that will provide the evidence you need.

Headstone of Manning David Daughrity
Sumter City Cemetery
Photo Credit: Cheri Hudson Passey

When I found a problem with the dates on my great grandfather's headstone and other records giving differing death dates, I had to take a step back and look to see if I could resolve the conflict. A death certificate should have been created, but can not be found.
Gathering what I did have- his obituary, funeral home record, and memorial from his funeral were all in agreement with his date of death. 
My conclusion? The headstone is incorrect. Why? 
The obituary would not have been run BEFORE a death the funeral home wouldn't record a death previous to the event. 
The date given to the creator of the stone was either written incorrectly or misread.
Easy to do. He died on the 9th and they carved 19.

The proof statement of my analysis and findings is included in my notes about him. 
Often, I receive queries as to why I have his death date on my family "wrong" as his stone clearly shows a date ten days later. 
I simply copy my paragraph explaining the conflict resolution and send it.

When faced with conflicting evidence remember to:

• Gather your evidence

• Cite and analyze your sources

• Write as you go

• Recognize Conflicts

• Examine each piece of conflicting information

• Determine which is more reliable and why

• Come to a resolution of the conflict if possible

Have you discovered conflicting evidence in your family tree?

Were you able to resolve it? Let us know how!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

Methodology Monday-Reasonably Exhaustive Research

You've read about it. Know it's part of the Genealogical Proof Standard, but do you understand what it means?

Reasonably Exhaustive research means we look for all the information that would help to answer a specific genealogy question. 
Once you know exactly who or what you are looking for, you can brainstorm what type of records may contain the answer and where you may find them. Then you need to begin looking for the documents on your list to see what they can tell you about your question.

For instance, you may have the question "Who were the parents of "John Doe" who was born in "Some Year" in "Some County, Some State, Some County." You know which John Doe you are looking for. Add more information if you know it to fine-tune your research subject even more if needed.
This approach is much more successful than "I want to find out everything about my great grandpa, John Doe."

What types of records may give you the answer? Make a list. It may contain those below and others. What is on your list will depend on the area and laws for creating them.
This is an example, but many more could be added.
1-Death Certificate
2-Birth Certificate
3-Obituary
4-Church Records
5-Census Records
6-Bible Records
7-Probate Records

You get the idea!
Now list where you could find them and make a plan to begin researching.

Should you celebrate when you discover an answer on the first or second record and call it quits? After all, the death certificate you just found records the names John Doe's parents and wasn't that the answer to your question? Unfortunately, no.
Reasonably Exhaustive Research means locating ALL records that may be available that may shed light on your research question.

Why? Records of any kind may be incorrect. A wide variety of documents can help ensure you have the most correct information. You may discover you have records with conflicting information. If that happens, you need to figure out why if you can. 
Was there a transcription error, or did someone accidentally recording a wrong name? There could be many reasons why your records have differing information. 
What if the name of one or both of the parents is wrong on that newly discovered death certificate? If you hadn't continued researching until you were confident you had looked for anything that would give you the facts you need the chance of a mistake is high.
You could end up researching the wrong line or building your own brick wall.

When do you know you've done enough? When you have found as much as possible to help answer your question. There is no magic number of documents needed to come to a conclusion.
Simply do your best to discover as much as you can from various record groups.

Reasonably Exhaustive research means being reasonable in your efforts. There will be documents that were never created or records that have been lost or destroyed.
Making sure you have exhausted all the possibilities will give you confidence in your answers and your help you move up your family tree. If and when other records are found that weren't available to you during your research process, chances are your conclusions will be upheld instead of crumbling in light of a new source. 

The first step in the Genealogical Proof Standard, Reasonably Exhaustive Research is meant to help you produce the most reliable results you can by collecting everything available to answer your research question.

What has Reasonably Exhaustive Research helped you to discover?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,