> I agree with almost all of the points Marilyn makes regarding sources and > wish to add this advice: > > 1. Always, ALWAYS verify the source, i.e. you may have found an abstracted > will, death, birth, marriage, deed etc. ; find the ORIGINAL, COMPLETE > document and obtain a copy if you can. > If it's info from a publication, find it. > > 2. Always, ALWAYS cite your source, even if it is "correspondence from...", > "family tradition passed down is ...". This alerts others that the > information is not from a primary source. > > I do disagree with the statement "information without a source is > worthless". I would change "worthless" to "use information without a source > as a CLUE for your own research". If I have no source, I will use the term > "no source, needs documentation" or something similar. > > Since the information on death certificates is only as accurate as the > knowledge of the person who submitted the information, I will cite the death > certificate as a source, then add: "See copy in files. Info submitter was > (name.....) then I identify the submitter, as being ... the decedent, or the > decedent's wife/mother/brother/aunt/grandson "etc. I identify the submitter > so that those who are using this information can evaluate its accuracy. > > Sprinkled throughout the NOTES section in my genealogy program will be found > the words "need to verify" or "undocumented" or similar statements. Anyone > following my trail will be able to evaluate the information I have given > based upon the sources I have cited and they can also recognize which info > has no source and realize that further research is needed to document or > verify. > > -- Helen in Calif. > Yes, when I first started genealogical research in 1979 I thought anything > published in a book was the gospel. :) I also thought I didn't have to > photocopy the title page of the book from which I photocopied pages. BIG > mistake. Take the time and spend the extra money to do it. You will never > regret it. Keep research logs (and date them) so you know where you found > the source and when. > > > >