Group items tagged

1) WHO created the record and WHO was the informant for the record?

Was there a reason for the informant to give false information?

2) WHY was the record created?

You evaluate sources in three different ways

Is the record original or compiled?

You use compiled records to lead you to the original.

you will eventually find evidence of your native ancestors if there actually are any in your family tree.

High cheekbones are not a sign of Indian ancestry. There are plenty of Europeans with high cheekbones.

Photographs of ancestors in Native American garb are not evidence either. How many times have you been to a fair or carnival where there is a booth for you to dress up in period clothing to have your photograph taken.

Names can be spelled a hundred different ways. Get over it. Spelling variations are a fact of life for genealogists. Get over it. Some of you ancestors didn't know the "proper" spelling of their own names. Get over it. Your ancestors likely changed the names or the spelling of their names when they moved to a new country. Get over it. The way names were spelled did not become codified until well into the 19th Century. Get over it. Some of your ancestors likely changed their names to avoid creditors, their family, their church, or their enemies. Get over it. People still change their names today. Get over it.

These books are helpful in giving an overview of the family and supplying dates and places not otherwise easily available. Unfortunately, few of this type of book were written when the academic standards included adding source citations for the information contained in the book.

These books are helpful in giving an overview of the family and supplying dates and places not otherwise easily available. Unfortunately, few of this type of book were written when the academic standards included adding source citations for the information contained in the book.

These books are helpful in giving an overview of the family and supplying dates and places not otherwise easily available. Unfortunately, few of this type of book were written when the academic standards included adding source citations for the information contained in the book.

Myth-Busting

Myth 1 – Free College

Myth 2 – Joining a Tribe

old family stories that are handed down aren't always the whole truth

These old stories, even if they are greatly embellished, usually hold clues so they are valuable to the researcher.

So there are two points to be made. 1) Record all of the old family stories as told to preserve them and 2) Don't be surprised if the stories aren't exactly the complete truth.