Category: Intermediate Genealogy

Using Funeral Records in Genealogical Research Expanded

Genealogical research is a complex, ongoing pursuit that significantly benefits from the exploration of various sources, among which funeral records play a crucial role. These records, encompassing burial details, obituaries, funeral home data, and even digital tributes, offer profound insights into an individual’s life and societal context, essential for building a comprehensive family history. Particularly for beginners, these records act as a vital link to past generations, confirming crucial dates and uncovering familial connections and personal details that might otherwise remain unknown. This guide aims to introduce genealogists to the rich potential of funeral records, empowering them to use these tools to deepen their understanding of their ancestry.

Genealogical research involves the practice of piecing together the lives and relationships of our ancestors. It requires the use of varied sources to construct accurate and comprehensive family histories. Among these sources, funeral records stand out as particularly valuable, yet some types are often underutilized.

Funeral records encompass a range of documents created in response to a person’s death. These include burial records, obituaries, funeral home records, and even eulogies or digital memorials. Each type of record can reveal unique details about the deceased’s life, family, and societal context, making them indispensable for filling gaps in family trees and adding depth to our understanding of ancestors’ lives.

For genealogists, especially those just beginning their research journey, funeral records offer a direct link to past generations. They not only confirm dates and places of death but often provide critical connections to other family members, unveil personal details that are not recorded elsewhere, and offer insights into the social and cultural aspects of the time. This introduction to funeral records will guide new researchers on how to access and use these records effectively to enrich their genealogical explorations.

Types of Funeral Records

Funeral records are an umbrella term for various documents associated with an individual’s death. Understanding each type can help genealogists uncover different facets of their ancestors’ lives. Here are the main categories:

  1. Funeral Home Records: These records are kept by funeral homes and may include details such as the deceased’s name, age, date of death, cause of death, and information about the funeral service. They might also contain personal notes about the deceased, including their occupation, religion, and residence.
  2. Burial Records: Often maintained by cemeteries, these records can provide the location of the grave within the cemetery, the date of burial, and sometimes the names of other family members buried nearby. This is particularly useful for identifying relationships and locating family plots.
  3. Obituaries: Published in newspapers, obituaries are a rich source of information. They typically include the date of death, a brief biography, and the names of surviving family members. Obituaries can be especially valuable for identifying relatives and outlining the deceased’s community involvement or significant achievements.
  4. Eulogies: While not always formally recorded, written or recorded eulogies given during funeral services can offer personal insights into the life and character of the deceased. If available, these can provide anecdotal evidence and personal stories that are not captured in official records.
  5. Digital Memorials: In the modern digital age, online memorials and social media tributes have become increasingly common. These platforms may offer a contemporary perspective on the deceased’s life, including photographs, personal anecdotes, and tributes from friends and family.

Historical Context and Evolution of Record-Keeping Practices

The practice of keeping funeral records has evolved significantly over time. In the past, record-keeping was often informal and sporadic, conducted by religious institutions or local municipalities. Early records might only include minimal information, such as the name and date of death. As bureaucratic processes developed and population management became more systematic, the detail and reliability of records improved.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, as governments instituted more formal requirements for death documentation, funeral records became more standardized and comprehensive. This evolution reflects broader societal changes, including advances in public health, urbanization, and the professionalization of the funeral industry.

For genealogists, understanding the type of record and its historical context is crucial. It not only affects the kind of information available but also influences how that information should be interpreted. Each record type, from traditional burial records to modern digital memorials, offers unique insights that, when combined, can create a fuller picture of an ancestor’s life and the times they lived in.

Accessing Funeral Records

Locating and accessing funeral records can be a crucial step in genealogical research. Here’s how and where you can find these records:

  1. Online Databases: Many websites specialize in historical and genealogical records, including funeral records. Platforms like Ancestry.com, FindAGrave.com, and FamilySearch.org offer extensive collections of digital records, which can be searched from the comfort of your home. These databases often have indexes that include obituaries, burial records, and other death-related documents.
  2. Local Libraries: Libraries often have historical archives that include local newspapers, some of which may not be digitized. Obituaries and funeral notices can be found by browsing newspaper archives from the relevant period. Libraries may also hold other regional genealogical resources or have subscriptions to online genealogical databases.
  3. Church Archives: Many churches keep records of the funerals they conduct, especially if the deceased was a member of the congregation. These records can include burial records and other documents not available in public or government archives.
  4. Funeral Homes: If you know which funeral home handled the arrangements, contacting them directly can be fruitful. They may hold records such as funeral home records, guest books, and funeral service programs. However, access might be restricted due to privacy laws or internal policies.
  5. Government Archives: Local, state, or national archives often hold vital records, including death certificates and burial permits. These can provide official information about the deceased’s death and burial details.

Tips for Requesting Records and Understanding Access Restrictions

  • Formal Requests: When requesting records from institutions like churches or funeral homes, a formal letter or email detailing your request can be helpful. Clearly state your relationship to the deceased and your reason for requesting the records. Include any known details (e.g., full name, date of death) to facilitate the search.
  • Handling Restrictions: Be aware that access to certain records may be restricted to protect the privacy of individuals and families. For instance, recent records may not be publicly accessible or may require proof of familial relationship for access.
  • Be Prepared for Fees: Some archives and databases require a fee for access or for making copies of records. Always inquire about any potential costs beforehand.
  • Utilize Freedom of Information Laws: In some regions, freedom of information laws allow you access to certain types of records. Understanding these laws can help you access necessary documents.
  • Persistence Pays Off: Sometimes, initial attempts to find records may not be successful. Persistence, revisiting sources, or expanding your search to alternate locations or databases can often yield results.

By understanding where to look for funeral records and how to access them, genealogists can significantly enhance their research, gaining deeper insights into their ancestors’ lives and the contexts in which they lived.

Information Found in Funeral Records

Funeral records can provide a wealth of information that is invaluable for genealogical research. Below is a list of common types of information these records may include:

  1. Full Name and Aliases: Provides the full legal name of the deceased and any aliases or nicknames, which is crucial for verifying identities in other records.
  2. Birth and Death Dates: Essential for creating accurate timelines and distinguishing between individuals with the same name.
  3. Family Members: Lists immediate and sometimes extended family members, which helps in constructing family trees and identifying relationships.
  4. Cause of Death: Can offer insights into genetic health issues or historical health trends within a family or community.
  5. Occupation: Gives a glimpse into the social status and economic conditions of the deceased’s life, which can be further explored in occupational records or business directories.
  6. Religious Affiliations: Indicates the deceased’s religious community, which can lead to additional records from religious institutions.
  7. Last Residence: Helpful in tracking geographical movements and locating property records or city directories.
  8. Funeral Service Details: May include the location and officiant of the funeral, which can provide leads to church records and community involvement.

Examples Showing the Value of Funeral Records

Example 1: Tracing Family Connections Through Obituaries

  • A researcher found an obituary that listed the deceased’s surviving relatives, including a previously unknown sibling. This discovery allowed the researcher to expand the family tree and connect with living relatives, who provided additional family history and photographs.

Example 2: Occupational Insight Leads to Business Records

  • From a funeral home record, a genealogist learned that their ancestor was a shop owner. This information led to the discovery of business records and advertisements in old newspapers, which revealed more about the ancestor’s life and community involvement.

Example 3: Religious Affiliation Unlocks Church Archives

  • The mention of a religious affiliation in a funeral record prompted a search in church archives, where baptism, marriage, and other family records were found. This not only confirmed dates and relationships but also provided a deeper understanding of the family’s religious and social life.

These examples illustrate how details from funeral records can act as springboards for further research, leading to richer and more comprehensive family histories. Whether confirming family connections, uncovering professional lives, or revealing community ties, the information gleaned from funeral records is often foundational to building a detailed genealogical profile.

Analyzing Funeral Records

Effectively using funeral records in genealogical research requires careful analysis and verification of the information they contain. Here are some strategies to ensure the accuracy of the data and integrate it with other genealogical resources.

Verifying the Accuracy of Information

  1. Cross-Check with Multiple Sources: Confirm details found in funeral records with other independent sources such as census records, birth certificates, and marriage licenses. Consistency across various documents increases the reliability of the information.
  2. Consider the Source: Evaluate the reliability of the record itself. Records created closer to the date of the event (e.g., death certificates issued shortly after death) are likely to be more accurate than those created later (e.g., memories shared in eulogies).
  3. Look for Anomalies: If certain information seems out of place (such as an unlikely cause of death for a certain age), investigate further by consulting medical records or contemporary health reports.
  4. Consult Experts or Forums: When in doubt, seek advice from more experienced genealogists or relevant online forums. Other researchers may offer insights or suggest resources for verifying challenging details.

Techniques for Cross-Referencing Funeral Records

  1. Use Consistent Identifiers: When cross-referencing, focus on consistent identifiers like full names, birth dates, and locations. These details help ensure you are tracing the correct individual across different records.
  2. Integrate with Census Data: Census records provide household compositions, ages, and birthplaces which can confirm or clarify details from funeral records. For instance, if a funeral record lists a family member not present in prior census data, it might suggest additional avenues of research such as births or marriages that occurred between census years.
  3. Link to Vital Records: Birth and death certificates provide official confirmation of the dates and places listed in funeral records. Matching these can confirm identities and relationships outlined in obituaries and funeral home records.
  4. Map Family Relationships: Use information from funeral records to construct family trees, and then verify these relationships through other records like wills, probate records, and land deeds. This can also help in understanding family dynamics and inheritance patterns.
  5. Timeline Analysis: Create timelines using information from funeral records alongside other documents. This can reveal inconsistencies in recorded dates or uncover events that may have influenced the family, such as migrations or economic changes.

By carefully verifying the accuracy of funeral records and skillfully integrating them with other genealogical data, researchers can create a more complete and accurate family history. This process not only deepens understanding of ancestors’ lives but also strengthens the overall genealogical research by building a robust evidential foundation.

Challenges and Limitations

Using funeral records in genealogical research can be highly rewarding, but researchers often encounter specific challenges. Understanding these issues and how to address them can greatly enhance the research process.

Common Challenges

  1. Incomplete Records: Many funeral records, especially older ones, may be incomplete. Key information such as birthplace, names of parents, or even accurate dates might be missing.
  2. Transcription Errors: As records are transcribed from original documents into digital databases, errors can occur. Names might be misspelled, dates may be incorrect, or entire entries could be omitted due to illegible handwriting.
  3. Access Limitations: Some records may be restricted due to privacy laws, especially records that are not very old. Additionally, physical records may be housed in locations that are not easily accessible to all researchers, such as private archives or overseas institutions.

Strategies to Overcome These Challenges

  1. Consult Multiple Sources: To compensate for incomplete records, seek out additional sources that might provide the missing information. For example, if a funeral record lacks a birth date, look for a birth certificate or baptism record in civil or church registers.
  2. Verify Transcriptions: Whenever possible, view images of the original records to verify the accuracy of transcribed data. This can help identify transcription errors and provide a more accurate understanding of the information.
  3. Utilize Alternative Records: If access to certain funeral records is restricted, look for alternative sources that might contain similar information. For example, cemetery records, wills, and probate records can offer insights into death dates and family relationships.
  4. Leverage Technology: Use online forums, genealogical societies, or social media groups to seek help from other researchers who might have access to the records you need or who can offer advice on handling access restrictions.
  5. Plan Research Visits: If essential records are located in archives that require in-person visits, plan a research trip. Many archives offer specific days or hours for public access, and some even provide assistance from archivists or volunteers.
  6. Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understand and respect the legal and ethical considerations surrounding access to personal records. This may involve adhering to specific protocols for requesting sensitive information or ensuring that the use of such information respects the privacy of individuals and their families.

By adopting these strategies, genealogists can effectively navigate the challenges associated with using funeral records and enhance the quality and depth of their genealogical research. This proactive approach ensures that even with inherent limitations, funeral records remain a vital resource in uncovering family histories.

Conclusion

Funeral records are an invaluable resource in genealogical research, offering a wealth of information that often cannot be found in other types of records. They provide key details about an individual’s life and death, such as names, familial relationships, occupational data, and even social affiliations, which can significantly enrich a family history project. These records not only solidify dates and facts but also bring personal stories and community contexts into sharper focus, adding depth and texture to the narratives of our ancestors’ lives.

Despite some challenges such as incomplete details, transcription errors, and access restrictions, the benefits of incorporating funeral records into genealogical research are undeniable. By using the strategies outlined to overcome these obstacles—such as verifying information across multiple sources, seeking original documents, and exploring alternative data—you can greatly enhance the reliability and scope of your research findings.

As you delve into your family history, consider the diverse and rich data that funeral records offer. Integrating these records into your research projects can provide breakthroughs and insights that are not possible through other sources alone. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced researcher, the pursuit of these records can open new avenues of discovery, helping to piece together the complex puzzle of your heritage. Therefore, make funeral records an integral part of your genealogical research toolkit and explore the past with a more informed and comprehensive approach.

Navigating the Rich History and Records of New England Quakers: A Genealogist’s Guide

If you’re tracing your family tree and have discovered Quaker ancestors from New England, you’re in for a fascinating journey. The Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers, has a rich history in New England, and their meticulous records can be a treasure trove for genealogists. This guide aims to simplify the process, offering insights into the administrative structure of the Quakers, highlighting the importance of their meetings, and providing practical advice on how to access and interpret their records.

At the heart of Quaker organization is the Monthly Meeting, the basic administrative unit where most membership information is recorded. These Monthly Meetings are part of Quarterly Meetings, which in turn are overseen by the Yearly Meeting, the largest body. For those researching New England Quaker ancestors, the New England Yearly Meeting, active since 1661, is of particular interest. It encompasses almost the entire region and has been composed of Quarterly Meetings since the early 18th century.

The Guide’s Structure and How to Use It

This guide is carefully arranged by meeting, making it easier for researchers to find information. Entries for each meeting include the name (with references under all known names), place (offering a general idea of the meeting’s region), a brief history, and the records available. This structure requires a basic understanding of the Quaker administrative organization to navigate efficiently.

Key Tips for Genealogical Research

  1. Place and Time: Sketch out a chronology of your ancestor’s travels across New England. This will help narrow down which Monthly Meetings they might have belonged to.
  2. Monthly Meetings: Determine which Monthly Meeting your ancestor was associated with. This is crucial as all vital records are kept at this level.
  3. Consult Maps and Indexes: If the town isn’t directly indexed, use the guide’s maps and the index in the back to find nearby meetings your ancestor might have attended.
  4. Check for Records: Look at the meeting’s entry for any vital records that could include your ancestor’s birth, marriage, or death details.
  5. Microfilm Numbers: If records have been microfilmed, they’re accessible through specific libraries and the Family History Centers operated by the Latter-Day Saints.

Navigating Challenges

Genealogists might face challenges due to the absence of a comprehensive index for New England records, unlike those available for other regions through William W. Hinshaw’s “Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy”. However, persistence and a methodical approach can unlock valuable information contained within these records, including vital records, minutes, and other documents.

Additional Resources and Considerations

  • Our Quaker Ancestors: For a deeper dive, this book offers comprehensive strategies for Quaker genealogy research.
  • Burial Practices: Understanding Quaker burial practices, which often involved unmarked fieldstones, can be crucial when examining ancestral graves.
  • Quaker Calendar: Be aware of the Quaker calendar’s unique dating system, which eschews traditional names for days and months, to avoid confusion when interpreting dates.

Conclusion

Exploring the records of New England Quakers can be a deeply rewarding experience, unveiling unique insights into the lives of your ancestors. As a genealogist, you might find the process initially daunting, but with this guide, combined with your patience and meticulous research, new avenues in your genealogical journey will unfold. Remember, the detailed records kept by the Quakers not only reflect their unwavering commitment to faith and community but also serve as a priceless resource for you, offering a profound connection to your past. Embrace this opportunity to bring your ancestors’ stories to life, honoring their legacy and enriching your own understanding of your family history.

Guide To Records RSOF 1997Download

10 Ways Burial Transit Records Can Enhance Your Genealogy Research

Burial transit records provide a wealth of information for genealogists looking to discover information on their ancestor’s death and burial. By understanding the information found on these records, genealogists can gain valuable insights into the lives of their ancestors.

Burial transit records provide valuable information for genealogists looking to trace their family history. These records document the transportation of a deceased individual’s remains from the place of death to the place of burial. In New York City, for example, burial transit records are available from 1846 to 1948 and can be obtained from the New York City Municipal Archives.

Burial transit records were created by health departments as a means of monitoring the movement of deceased individuals and ensuring that proper burial procedures were followed. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was growing concern about the spread of disease and the potential health hazards associated with improper burial practices. To address these concerns, health departments began requiring that burial transit records be filed whenever a deceased individual was transported from the place of death to the place of burial.

By creating burial transit records, health departments could track the movement of deceased individuals and ensure that they were buried in a timely and appropriate manner. The records also provided a means of monitoring burial practices and ensuring that they complied with health regulations. For example, burial transit records might include information on the type of casket used, the condition of the body, and whether or not the body had been embalmed.

The following information can typically be found on a burial transit record:

  1. Name: The name of the deceased individual is listed on the burial transit record.
  2. Age: The age of the deceased individual is listed on the burial transit record. This should help provide an approximate date of birth.
  3. Occupation: The occupation of the deceased individual may be listed on the burial transit record. This information can be useful in understanding the economic circumstances of ancestors’ lives.
  4. Place and Date of Death: The place and date of death of the deceased individual is listed on the burial transit record. This information can be useful in tracing the movement of ancestors over time. It is important to remember that the individual may only have been visiting a location at the time of their death.
  5. Cause of Death: The cause of death of the deceased individual is listed on the burial transit record. This information can provide additional context and help in understanding possible medical issues that can be genetically inherited.
  6. Place of Birth: The place of birth of the deceased individual is listed on the burial transit record. This information can be useful in identifying
  7. By what route did body arrive: The mode of transportation used to transport the deceased individual’s remains is listed on the burial transit record. This can provide insight into the transportation infrastructure of the time period and the social and economic status of the deceased.
  8. Location of internment: The location of the deceased individual’s internment is listed on the burial transit record. This can be useful in identifying possible burial locations for other family members.
  9. By what route will body go to place of internment: The mode of transportation used to transport the deceased individual’s remains to the place of internment is listed on the burial transit record.
  10. Name and Address of applicant: The name and address of the person who applied for the burial transit record is listed on the record. This person is most often related to the deceased in some manner or part of their FAN group.

The New York City records are specifically important to genealogists, as they recorded each deceased transported on the city streets, rivers, or brought into port. Bodies were transported more frequently than descendants realize, and the distance travelled could often be 1,000s of miles. The primary route on the East Coast was through NYC.

The deceased could also have been previously interred and were being relocated to a new cemetery. These records may help when you know an ancestor died at a specific location but are unable to find their burial location at the same location.

The NYC records can also be used to identify Civil War soldiers, from both sides, whose bodies were shipped home after their casualty. For instance, if your Confederate ancestor died at Davids Island after the Battle of Gettysburg, they likely have a NYC burial transit record soon after their death, even if they were buried in NYC.

In conclusion, burial transit records provide a wealth of information for genealogists looking to discover information on their ancestor’s death and burial. By understanding the information found on these records, genealogists can gain valuable insights into the lives of their ancestors.

How I Describe Levels of Conviction in Genealogical Research

In genealogical research facts often have a way of becoming factoids once new evidence weighs against the old hypothesis. As a genealogist, we should stay away from declaring a research subject absolute and finished – instead we should quantify our analysis of the evidence by prefacing our statements with qualifiers.

Introduction

In genealogical research facts often have a way of becoming factoids once new evidence weighs against the old hypothesis. As a genealogist, we should stay away from declaring a research subject absolute and finished – instead we should quantify our analysis of the evidence by prefacing our statements with qualifiers. Using a current research project of mine, here is a statement without a qualifier attached:

Sally “Susan” Fisher was born between 1805 and 1815 in the sleepy little town of Lyndon Vermont.

Using the statement without a qualifier gives it more authority than I intend. This statement declares a fact which may not be true – was born between 1805 and 1815. I have not located a birth record for Sally that provides me a specific date, nor does any of the evidence point to a particular year in a convincing manner. What I do have are a set of sources which provide a range of years in which her birth likely occurred. There are possibly additional records that I have not yet unearthed, and any one of them may provide evidence of a birth year outside the range given. Here’s my revised statement:

Sally “Susan” Fisher was likely born between 1805 and 1815 in the sleepy little town of Lyndon Vermont.

Likely, as used in the above statement, is known as a qualifier – a qualifier is a word that limits or enhances another word’s meaning. Qualifiers affect the certainty and specificity of a statement [1]“Qualifiers–Grammar Rules and Examples,” Grammerly.com (https://www.grammarly.com/blog/qualifiers/ : accessed 1 May 2017), para. 1.

Using Qualifiers in Genealogy Writing

Don’t reinvent the wheel, just realign it.

Elizabeth Shown Mills has identified six qualifiers that she offers as a set of parameters that can be applied in a logical hierarchy [2]Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, Third Edition, (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2015), pp. 19-20.. While she refers to her hierarchical example as “Levels of Confidence,” as the title of this page asserts, I believe these can be described better as “Levels of Conviction. But I don’t see reason in my research to reinvent well-hewn wheels, and I am resisting the temptation of realigning probably and likely in Elizabeth’s list below, no matter what Anthony D’Angelo says – so I will keep my research attuned to her scheme:

  1. Certainly: The author has no reasonable doubt about the assertion, based on sound research and good evidence.
  2. Probably: The author feels the assertion is more likely than not, based on sound research and good evidence.
  3. Likely: The author feels some evidence supports the assertion, but the assertion is far from proved.
  4. Possibly: The author feels the odds weigh at least slightly in favor of the assertion.
  5. Apparently: The author has formed an impression or presumption, typically based upon common experiences, but has not tested the matter.
  6. Perhaps: The author suggests that an idea is plausible, although it remains to be tested.

References

References
↑1 “Qualifiers–Grammar Rules and Examples,” Grammerly.com (https://www.grammarly.com/blog/qualifiers/ : accessed 1 May 2017), para. 1.
↑2 Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, Third Edition, (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2015), pp. 19-20.

Genealogical Source Analysis

Source analysis is an important step in the genealogical research process. While it’s often the first thing discussed by professional genealogists, it’s almost always the last thing amateur genealogists perform. It’s usually left for the time when a researcher, suffering from the effects of the “shaking leaf syndrome,” realize that they’ve attached all these people to their family tree, and all these events to those people, yet some of the facts and events of their ancestors lives simply don’t add up. And then they begin to doubt whether a person in their tree really is an ancestor. Don’t wait for that time… begin now, at the start of 2016, to first analyze a source before you use it.

Did you know you’re suppose to actually investigate a genealogical source before you use it?

Quote from Robert Charles Anderson
Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis

An often overlooked tool by beginners in genealogy – is the investigation of a source they’re attaching to a record. We could blame it on the “shaking leaf syndrome” that Ancestry has introduced into the genealogical community, but that would be unfair. This issue has been around for centuries. But the new shaking leaf, along with the marketing behind it, facilitates sloppy genealogy, where researchers, generally interested in their family tree, are duped into thinking clicking on a shaking leaf is all there is to doing genealogical research. Before you click on the next “Yes” question posed by Ancestry, remind yourself this, have you actually researched the source you’re about to attach? I’m not talking about checking the veracity of the facts or events tied to the source… I’m not talking about insuring that you’re actually adding an event into your ancestors life that they took part in… those are both vitally important; but so isn’t spending a few minutes of time to research where a source originated from, and what type of information you can glean from it. This information is not only important in placing a score on your record analysis but also in hinting at possible other avenues of research later.

My analysis of sources is based loosely on the standards employed by professional genealogists:

In order to maximize our understanding of the substance and reliability of any record, we must first understand that record within the context of its source. [1]Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis, p. 2. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.

Charles Anderson reports in Elements of Genealogical Analysis that there are four basic questions we should address to any source [2]Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis, p. 3-22. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.:

  1. Is it the original or a copy?
  2. When was the source created?
  3. Who created the source?
  4. What formulae were used in creating the source?

For my own purpose, I have adopted his four basic questions, expanding one, changing the wording of one, adding a fifth, and hopefully structuring them to make them a little easier to remember:

  1. Who created the source?
  2. What template was used in creating the source?
  3. When was the source created?
  4. Where has that source been located since it’s creation and is it the original or a copy?
  5. Why  or how is this source important to my research goal?

In my investigations I answer each of these five questions for each of the sources I research, but the Why is really independent on each of our own goals, so I will simply reflect why or how that source is important in my research at that moment.

Who created the source?

When evaluating a source you need to know who created it. Identifying the creator of the source enables you to value the reliability and originality of the source. For instance, did the census taker follow the instructions for that census? If he did you may consider valuing the reliability of that source greater then you would for a census taker who did not appear to follow the instructions. The same may follow with a town or county clerk. A set of records for a community was likely created by different town clerks over time and each town clerk brings to the task of recording these records their own peculiarities, handwriting, record-keeping and general knowledge of the town happenings. You may find when reviewing the overall records that one town clerk paid better attention to accuracy in their reporting then others, and should consider that in your overall value of reliability for the source.

What template was used in creating the source?

Most genealogists are familiar with blank census forms. I find them invaluable when trying to determine the earlier census (1800-1840) columns when looking at surviving images of those census. In a lot of records we consult in our genealogical research, an actual template was used by the person recording the event, this especially holds true in Government records. Sometimes though, there were no physical templates but an accepted practice of ordering and/or writing out the event. Charles Anderson describes this as a formulae, [3]Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis, p. 17-18. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. but I’ll keep to the more familiar wording of template. French Canadian Church records are notorious for utilizing a method of recording events where a non French speaker can reasonably interpret the information found in the records (if you can read the handwriting).

When was the original source created?

It’s important that you determine when the original source was created. In valuing the worth of evidence in genealogical research, it is generally accepted that the further away from the original event that the record appears the less likely it is to be reliable. This won’t always hold true, but it’s yet one determination you should be using as you determine the reliability of the facts presented. Christine Rose in Genealogical Proof Standard states the following concerning this “distance in time”:

The weight of a derivative source may have more to do with the type of derivative. A microfilm or photocopy made in 2009 from the 1804 original deed is more credible than a poor handwritten transcription made in 1850 from that 1804 deed, even though the transcription was many years closer to the event. [4]Rose, Christine. Genealogical Proof Standard, p. 6. San Jose California, C.R. Publications, 2014.

Where has that source been located since it’s creation and is it the original or a copy?

In order to determine the authenticity of a source you need to be able to show the provenance of it. We need to identify the record of ownership of the documents referenced (and often imaged) in the online collection, as well as ownership and creation of the database itself.

After determining when the original source was created, and it’s provenance, determine whether the record you are looking at is in fact the original, or is it a copy of the original? Most online genealogists are not going to handle or view the original documents of an ancestor, but we will often view a photographic image of the original document that somebody else made. Professional and amateur genealogists often handle the determination of this as a copy or an original differently. It is in fact a copy. But in value it sits directly beneath, only the original, and since you or anyone else are likely to never see the original, it as a copy, is probably the most reliable record you will find.

Why or how is this source important to my research goal?

My final step in source analysis is to determine why or how this source is needed to resolve the particular research goal I am trying to achieve. Some may find this an interesting choice when valuing the reliability of a record, but I’ve found as I research that I need to place some weight on my personal needs and my likely ability to find further evidence. While I recognize that genealogists are supposed to collect all information potentially relevant to the questions they investigate, sometimes, whether for financial reasons or reasons of time, this just isn’t possible.

If you’re interested in what professional genealogists have to say about a “reasonably exhaustive search” then Judy Kellar in two of her 10-Minute Methodology blog posts delves into this and does a thorough enough job, that I’ll just refer you to both of her posts. The first deals with what Is “Reasonably Exhaustive” while the second attempts to answer, how do you know you’ve reached what is considered reasonably exhaustive?

  1. 10-Minute Methodology: What Is “Reasonably Exhaustive” Research?
  2. 10-Minute Methodology: “Reasonably Exhaustive” — How Do We Know We’re There?

When I look at the source’s importance in helping me resolve my research goal, I am merely equating it to the overall number of records available in a reasonably exhaustive research for that record type. Irregardless of whether my “reasonably exhaustive” search is what you consider reasonably exhaustive, I will insure that you know exactly the searches I made, the records I found, and how I determined which source was likely more valid.

Conclusion

Source analysis is an important step in the genealogical research. While it’s often the first thing discussed by professional genealogists, it’s almost always the last thing amateur genealogists perform. It’s usually left for the time when a researcher, suffering from the effects of the “shaking leaf syndrome,” realize that they’ve attached all these people to their family tree, and all these events to those people, yet some of the facts and events of their ancestors lives simply don’t add up. And then they begin to doubt whether a person in their tree really is an ancestor. Don’t wait for that time… begin now, at the start of 2016, to first analyze a source before you use it.

References

References
↑1 Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis, p. 2. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.
↑2 Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis, p. 3-22. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.
↑3 Anderson, Robert Charles, FASG. Elements of Genealogical Analysis, p. 17-18. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.
↑4 Rose, Christine. Genealogical Proof Standard, p. 6. San Jose California, C.R. Publications, 2014.