S9: Genealogy: Evidence Evaluation

As you proceed through the genealogical research process, discoveries are made from a wide variety of sources and talking to family members, friends, neighbors and others who claim to have knowledge about an ancestor, family, or event related to your research. Eventually, you must begin the process of evaluating this information for accuracy. Contradictions are a fact of life in genealogical research. Our ancestors lived in a world where record keeping was not considered as important as it is today. We live under legal guidelines that were non-existent prior to the late 20th century. When you begin the process of testing the accuracy of each piece of information, you must proceed using some of the same analytical techniques for evaluating evidence as used by detectives. "Evidence" is defined as information used to reach conclusions about the accuracy of relationships or events.

Purpose: Touch on the primary techniques used to evaluate your genealogical findings

Facilitator: Bryan Mulcahy (Guest Presenter – Fort Myers Regional Library)