APG-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Re: [APG] ?Fundamental Genealogical Principles?
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:23:05 -0500
References: <001901c906d1$3d322dc0$0401a8c0@bearlet><C62F596A20AB834B86375CE75059D1371275EAD9BB@MBX01.ldschurch.org>
In-Reply-To: <C62F596A20AB834B86375CE75059D1371275EAD9BB@MBX01.ldschurch.org>

Anne asked:
>What are the key principles that identify sound genealogical research?


Anne, great question! Here are my top four:

1.
Research should be thorough. Conclusions made before all relevant sources
are consulted are highly prone to error.

2.
Every statement of fact should have its own explicit statement of source.
The validity of no piece of information can be weighed if one does not know
exactly where it came from and the circumstances under which it was created.

3.
Researchers should seek the best-quality sources (original records rather
than derivative works, to every extent possible) and the best-quality
information (firsthand information being generally more reliable than
secondhand).

4.
Conclusions should rest upon a correlation and analysis of all existing
evidence, not just one document that makes a direct (explicit) statement of
fact. Any one document can err.


Elizabeth

----------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG
APG member, Tennessee

This thread:

• [APG] Expert witness fees by "Maralyn A. Wellauer" <>
  • [APG] ?Fundamental Genealogical Principles? by Anne Roach <>

    • Re: [APG] ?Fundamental Genealogical Principles? by <>

    • Re: [APG] ?Fundamental Genealogical Principles? by "Donald W. Moore, CG" <>
    • Re: [APG] ?Fundamental Genealogical Principles? by