EVIDENCE and PROOF; What are those?
Before going further, you must be come to realize that many commonly used labels such as “hearsay,” “circumstantial,” “primary,” “secondary,” “direct,” “indirect,” “derivative,” etc., are next to useless; none of those tell any listener what you mean.
For you to be considered a thorough researcher, you must dump your pride and admit that you neither understand, nor can you give us a definition for any of those words. In fact, across now 50-plus years I have yet to hear or read a definition for any of those terms that will work for all occasions. Try it yourself.
One example will serve; you will hear that a cemetery is unreliable because it is “hearsay,” and in fact such stones are hearsay and in its most classical form. So do we ignore what is written there? Of course not; every single one tells us about something.
Cemetery headstones, even if you can’t read more than the family name, reveal that the dead person had SOME relationship — great or small — to that place. For a couple examples; folks buried there before about 1900 likely lived nearby since a horse drawn hearse with people moving at about the same speed traveled about 2.5 miles an hour.
Then too, the placement in the cemetery usually reveals that those buried nearby were known or related to the dead person.
That stone alone should send you to the cemetery, death, church, land and estate records for that “where” county. Start with finding the local genealogical/historical society, then a large source such as LDS records, then the local library, then any experienced researcher who lives there.
After that, search the state library and find a detailed map of land owners at that time. That person who tends or mows grass there has a phone; call and ask what he/she knows about your family and whether or not anyone has visited that part of the cemetery during the past few years. Remember too that the same fellow mowing (“Sexton,” ask who pays him?) The neighbors may know who the last preacher was, what members yet live nearby and where the church records were taken.
Then too, if the cemetery is in a rural area, those who live nearby usually will know a bit about that place. Such folks may know a lot about the place; most do. Ask, ask!
The facts you gain seeking your family must be the most reliable you can find, and you must identify those sources so that a stranger could go to that same reference without further direction from you.
Your statement, “I got this fact from my Aunt Jane’s Bible” simply won’t get the job done, ever, except for someone in the family who feels that Aunt Jane and her Bible are sufficient proof (few are).
However, by also being able to say such as, “Aunt Jane has the family Bible and a war discharge, and both carry some of the same information," those two items considered together may be very powerful evidence, yet, if viewed separately, those might not be so convincing.
In summary, we first learn the rules of whomever or what group will be judging our material and then we set out to comply with those rules by gathering the most reliable evidence we can find.
Next, our “judges” will decide if we have found enough reliable information to meet their standards, and it makes all but no difference what you and Aunt Jane think. If those examiners say “No,” we hunt for more sources, or we put it on the back burner. They make the rules; most set in concrete.
So, if you need to please your cousins, that’s fine (and easy), and if you must meet the higher “proof” rules of some club or group, that will require more than Aunt Jane would want, and finally, if you mean to join such as D.A.R., S.A.R. Colonial Dames, Daughters of 1812, or any other such group, remember that some have stiff requirements. You should plan on being required to have enough evidence to prove what you tell them about your ancestry. That may be very difficult and rarely do they make exceptions.
Next time; Evaluating Evidence
Lifestyles
Genealogy, like politics, is local and is about “where”
- Lifestyles
-
-
Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Pleasant Hill Elementary honors volunteers
Mary Ann Kotus-Huff, principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School (PHS), recently welcomed volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea. It was held in the gaily decorated new all-purpose room of the new annex. Volunteers were treated to sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and cupcakes.
-
Plateau Gardening: Transplanting tips
My landscape is perennial–based. There are vines, trees, shrubs as well as herbaceous (soft-stemmed) vegetation in assorted categories-ornamentals, herbs and food crops like rhubarb. Annuals in containers are used to add splashes of color. At this time of year, I usually have a few recently purchased plants waiting to be transplanted (see the accompanying photo).
-
Fair Park offering help for senior dog owners
A dog is a senior's best friend. Family and friends are not around much, and everyone is so busy. After retirement the free time seems to be longer. Many seniors would be very lonely if it was not for their four-legged friends. Dogs are a big part of the family, so they need to learn to be obedient to make it easier on the relationship.
-
The beginnings of Cumberland County Discovery Gardens
It was a great day in 2004 when Walt Hitch looked out his window and studied the three unused acres that accompanied his hundreds of acres of AgResearch lands.
-
CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
-
Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
-
Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
-
End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
-
Seniors to visit Sutton General Store May 18
On May 10, the members of the 127 Senior Center had a good time socializing, playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by Arlene Simmons, with the prizes furnished by Bob Folger, with State Farm Insurance.
-
Marriage licenses
Published May 15, 2013.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
