Beginning Lesson #8 Previously Compiled Genealogies As you work through the resources at libraries you will run across printed family histories, compiled indexes and CDs of genealogy data. As you browse the online file libraries, visit WEB sites on your surnames, join surname newsgroups, etc. you are also tapping into the vast wealth of information in previously compiled genealogies. As valuable as these sources appear to be, you must take them with a grain of salt. It is incumbent upon serious family historians to get to the root of the matter. Consider what documentary evidence supports the assumptions of lineage. I am currently working on my DUTTON line in England. For years, we had thought the father of our John Dutton 1693 was John. We received this information from a book on the Dutton family. However, there were no footnotes stating the source of this information. I have diligently searched the records for John Dutton's christening records in the local parish which fortunately are available on microfilm. I have not yet located his christening entry. The real kicker is the total lack of references to any Duttons in the parish registers for the place where the family was reputed to live for three generations. In fact, a review of extant church records for the entire shire indicate that Duttons are only found in one parish about 50 miles east of the area in question. Getting back to the concept of evaluating previously compiled genealogies... Its possible to use them to find good clues. Better still are those which cite the sources of information for each point. Your job is to verify each source mentioned. (You would want a copy of the wills, census, marriage and christening records anyway, wouldn't you?!) See if you arrive at the same conclusions of relationship as the original researcher. You may have additional information which was not available at the time of publication. Don't be afraid to rock the boat.