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Learn Genealogy – Fact or Fiction… Facts vs. Evidence vs. Sources
Let’s face facts! It’s Fact from Fiction. Okay the puns are endless here.
Let’s get it straight… the terminology that is Fact from Fiction.
As genealogists we’re part reporter, part historian, and part detective. So it’s logical that we use the same terms used in law enforcement, journalism and historical authors.
The Fact is information found within Evidence. Like a birth date on a birth certificate.
The Evidence is the item found, such as the birth certificate itself.
The Source is where you found the Evidence. For example, the birth certificate may have come from the county courthouse. So you would want to detail where you found the Evidence to the point that another person could find it based on your Source Citation.
So without Evidence, do you have a Fact or is it Fiction?
Fact from Fiction
Be careful about what you call a “Fact.” “Facts” need to be proven to truly call them factual. Family lore is likely not fact, until proven. However, a person’s testimony is Evidence, but not always factual. Thus, if grandpa said something, you’ll need to support that with the Facts found in other Evidence.
So what do you do with the data you’ve found, that is not yet proven? You can use language of probabilities in your reporting. For example, “Jane Doe was likely born in West Virginia, possibly before 1800, as she was not listed with her parents in the xyz county of West Virginia in the 1800 census.” Thus, you’re not stating her birth place or potential birth date as fact, but you are asserting your assessment of the Evidence you’ve found in the 1800 Census. Of course, you’re going to cite your Source (where you found that 1800 census). From your assessment will lead to a good research question for your next task. More on research questions in a later post.
Got it?
Facts are typically found in Evidence. The Evidence is the item stating the Facts… and the Source is where you found the Evidence. You’ll want to ask yourself, is it Fact or Fiction?
To learn to write good source citations, you’ll need Elizabeth Shown Mills book Evidence Explained
Full disclosure, this is an affiliate marketing link for which I could get a tiny commission. However, I will never-ever recommend a book that I don’t believe in wholeheartedly. This link will not cost you any extra, but does help to support this website and the YouTube channels. Thanks for your support.
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Learn Genealogy – Organized with Charts and Software
Stay Organized with Charts and Software
Right from the start you’re going to want to start visualizing your family tree and understanding how the family groups are organized. For some of you, this may be basic, but for the true beginner, understanding the differences in charts and formats will be welcome information.
Traditional genealogist (before computers) used several forms and formats to keep the family organized. Those same organizational ideas have carried forward today in the software and online trees.
The first two discussed below show the links between each generation, while the third shows each immediate family unit. I’ve provided links to free copies from the National Archives, FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com below.
First was the Ancestral Family Tree Chart. This is sometimes referred to as a Pedigree. This chart starts with one person and shows the links between the parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so on in the direct ancestral line. The drawback to this chart is that is doesn’t show all children of each couple, but only each child in the direct lineage.
Next is the Descendants Tree Chart. This chart starts with an ancestor and grows down toward present day and does show all known children of each couple. The drawback here is that it is hard to show all descendants on one page. There really is no way to chart this on paper without taping multiple pages together. I have taped together these pages and pinned it on my wall for easy reference, but computers are really easier.
The Family Group Sheet is not a tree at all but a detailed sheet showing a Father, Mother and all their children. Additionally, this group sheet shows birth, marriage, and death information with dates and places. You’ll see a similar layout in the various genealogy software and online programs. You’ll want this information for each family group.
While all these charts and or forms have been replaced with software, its good practice to have a few of these forms with you when visiting with relatives and asking about family information. They help show where your gaps are in your research and family will often help fill in the holes they see you’re missing. Take multiple blank family group sheets, since you’ll likely be talking about several family groups. You’ll need one for every couple or immediate family grouping.
Alternatively, you can print out the same trees and family group sheets from your software and ask family to help fill in the gaps. When visiting family, I often bring my laptop and fill in the blanks right in the software as I’m talking with family. This saves a step, but as I always say, when working on computers, “save early – save often” AND cite your source as you enter information.
Using a genealogical software program will save you a TON of time. You have at least two good options online with services (like FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com) or use a software that is located on your computer. I use both. FamilySearch (a free service) is a public tree that anyone can modify and at Ancestry (free and subscription options) it is your own tree that only you or those you allow can modify.
I use many services and one primary software on my computer. Personally, I use Family Tree Maker because it links with my Ancestry account. However, there are several good programs out there. The advantage to having software on your computer is additional functionality that the online versions don’t provide.
No matter what you choose, you can export and import your family tree from one service or software to another using a Gedcom file. Keep in mind that a Gedcom transfer is not a constant link and will not continually update. It’s only intended to bring the basic data from one program to another once, so you don’t have to retype all of that data when switching software or services.
Details on the pluses and minuses to these services will be discussed in a later lesson.
Copies of free charts are available at:
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Learn Genealogy – Are You New To Genealogy?
I love sharing my nearly four decades of experience in genealogy, but I love learning too. What’s great about genealogists, is their willingness to share. In the “How To…” column, is where I’ll share my knowledge with you and some of what you share with me. Together we’ll learn from each other. Okay… let’s face it, the entire website is designed for learning, not just the “How To…” section.
However, it’s in the “How To… section that is devoted to general genealogy learning, not just for North Carolina. I’ll post, regularly, lots of videos and blogs on how to go “further, faster, with your family history research”. Let’s Kick Start your research right now with the first post in the “HOW TO…” do genealogy page… and it’s free!
And please… feel free to share your insights in the comments sections! Together we learn from each other.
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Learn Genealogy – Kick Start Guide
Here’s a Family History Kick Start Guide.
- Work backwards, starting with yourself and work backwards to your parents, grandparents and so on with as much information as you know. Don’t skip to the next generation until you’ve documented everything you have on each person.
- Collect…
- Full names and nicknames, as much as you know.
- Vital Statistics. Birth, marriage, death, and divorce records. You want to discover dates and places (including counties) for every event. For example, Jane Doe was born in the City of Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California on 12 March 1930.
- Write your dates like this, 12 Mar 1930 or 12 March 1930. This way there is no confusion on the dates.
- Military records, photos, uniforms, medal etc.
- Church records or information including dates of events such as christenings, marriages, funerals, etc.
- Write down the source of every fact so you can confirm where you got each item. Ten years from now, when you’re looking at it again and need to know where to look for the original evidence again, you’ll find it. You’ll thank me for this tip a decade from now.
- INTERVIEW YOUR ELDERS A.S.A.P! Whenever possible, record on video and or audio the conversation, but also take notes. Don’t rely on the recordings, they fail sometimes. Turn off the TV… interview in a quiet place.
- Use pedigree charts and family group sheets to inspire elders and to help fill in the blanks, during your interviews. Free copies can be downloaded from Family Search and Ancestry. I like to take these sheets with me when interviewing family members. Sometimes I’ll type it right into my software while talking to family.
- Keep track electronically in online resources like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. Consider purchasing family tree software that resides on your computer such as Family Tree Maker or Roots Magic, etc.
- If you feel computer-savvy, keep notes interconnected to all of your devices on services like Google Docs, or electronic notebooks like Evernote or OneNote.
- Label old photos. Write names in pencil on the back of unlabeled photos, as you talk with your elders. TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS, memories fade over time.
MAKE A COPY FIRST – Number & Name Everyone - Name everyone in group pictures. Make copies or use software to create a numbered template to name everyone and attach the names of everyone in the image with the image so it is not lost. Do it now, before names are forgotten.
- Take pictures of your family members, heirlooms, etc. Take pictures of the interview in progress. Pictures will help tell your story later in whatever form you choose.
- Review and polish your notes immediately after the interview, before your memory fades.
- Copy and archive the information you collect in at least two different locations (not in the same house). I recommend your computer and cloud storage such as Drop Box, Crash Plan, or similar.
- Consider bringing a DNA test for each elder, but get permission from them in advance of your visit. Make sure you get them to take the test when you visit. Don’t leave it behind. It will never get done – trust me. Getting a DNA test on the oldest members first is very important in genealogy today.
Stay Organized
Keep your physical documents in FOLDERS or Notebooks organized by Surname or Place.
Keep your electronic files organized by Surname (at birth) within folders and then by document the same way. Such as SURNAME First Middle. For example:
- HENLEY (folder)
- HENLEY Mary Jane (folder)
- HENLEY Mary Jane – Birth Certificate 1932 (document)
- HENLEY Mary Jane – Marriage Certificate 1953 (document copy)
- HENLEY Mary Jane – Research Notes (document)
- HENLEY Mary Jane (folder)
- HENLEY John Henry
- HENLEY John Henry- Research Notes (document)
- HENLEY John Henry- 1880 Census (document)
- HENLEY John Henry photo near barn ca 1885 (scanned photo)
By organizing them this way all of your documents are in one place and easy to see.
Keep your written Research Notes in chronological order. This is huge and gives you perspective what you’re missing, what you’ve already looked for and an ancestors timeline all in one document. This will be a working document that is always being updated.
Take the time to add source citations to each event in your Research Notes as you go so you know where you got the information. I use footnotes for keeping sources so that my document reads simply as a timeline and not cluttered with source information.
You’re off and running. These tips alone is a great start! Now… go find your ancestors!
Comments are welcome below.
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