Hi Everyone! Happy New Year! This suggestion is not only for new family history researchers but it also serves to jiggle the minds of us old timers too! Let's all make a resolution to help eliminate errors in our family history In December 1999, I wrote the following article to help increase the awareness of the many pitfalls found in genealogical resources. I am submitting this again to remind us all of our responsibilities toward perpetuating the truth and accuracy in our historical records. (Reprint) HOW ACCURATE ARE OUR RECORDS? By LeRoy F. Eastes 3 December 1999 When we record our heritage we take great pride in looking at our list of ancestors and admire their origins, migrations and accomplishments. But, what good is it - unless it's true? In recent years there are more and more genealogical assumptions and misleading information being circulated due the coming of the internet. I know most of it is unintentional, as I have found myself guilty of doing the same thing in the past. This innocent practice comes about by picking up information that is not documented or if it is we don't check the validity of the references. Then with all good intentions, we record it and pass it on not knowing if it is true or not! An element of error has always existed in genealogical research. If we look closely at public documents, errors have been found in almost every type of legal record that ever existed. Wills, marriage, birth, land, court and military records. Many times these are the results of human error but some have been intentionally induced for a variety of personal reasons. The coming of the internet has been a great boon for genealogical research. At the same time it's multiplying errors and is out of control like a contagious disease. There are many individuals and organizations that collect files from donors everywhere they can be found, which in itself is fine. Unfortunately, not all of these records are correct. Many do not show any documentation, others are found with misleading and often inaccurate information and references. Also unfortunately, some researchers are too eager to grab the first thing that "sounds reasonable" and treat it as a gospel fact. These records are copied by the unwary, passed on to an untold number of others, accepted as fact and the problem is perpetuated into the future. . There is nothing wrong with recording and passing along estimates of dates, places and even theories and stories. This is where we find the key elements that lead to the true picture of the past. However, information of this nature must be recognized and treated as such by all of us. This is a very serious problem and recognized by the National Genealogical Society. They felt it to so important they published a Special Edition to their quarterly publication, titled, "Evidence" - Volume 87, 3 September 1999. The following are the Standards recommend by the Society and can be found on the internet at - http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ (I suggest everyone take a look at Consumer Relations while on this site) Standards For Sound Genealogical Research (Recommended by the National Genealogical Society) Remembering always that they are engaged in a quest for truth, family history researchers consistently - - record the source for each item of information they collect. - test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence, and reject those that are not supported by the evidence. - seek original records, or reproduced images of them when there is reasonable assurance they have not been altered, as the basis for their research conclusions. - use compilations, communications and published works, whether paper or electronic, primarily for their value as guides to locating the original records. - state something as a fact only when it is supported by convincing evidence, and identify the evidence when communicating the fact to others. - limit with words like "probable" or "possible" any statement that is based on less than convincing evidence, and state the reasons for concluding that it is probable or possible. - avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information. - state carefully and honestly the results of their own research, and acknowledge all use of others work. - recognize the collegial nature of genealogical research by making their work available to others through publication, or by placing copies in appropriate libraries or repositories, and by welcoming critical comment. - consider with open minds new evidence or the comments of others on their work and the conclusions they have reached. ©1997 by National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including this notice This is followed by two more sections titled: - Standards for Using Records Repositories And Libraries. - Standards For Use Of Technology In Genealogical Research. I encourage everyone to consider these guide lines. All of us who are searching for our ancestors should make an attempt to minimize the possibility of errors. If we don't, our children's children will be led down false trails and they will never be able to find their true heritage. Le Roy F. Eastes Ph (228) 832-2214 17271 Lowery Rd Gulfport, MS 39503