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Archiver > TMG > 2010-02 > 1267045395


From: "Darrell A. Martin" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Actual place of birth and death
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:03:44 -0600
References: <BLU0-SMTP68B66BBC74F2140ECCA027DA410@phx.gbl> <COL122-DS24792F5FD7052464DA2B09A410@phx.gbl><4B859109.1080802@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <4B859109.1080802@gmail.com>


Hi:

I think the key to all this is to document what you find. Seems obvious,
but from that basis you can do a lot of different things without risking
confusion (your own or others', now or years from now).

If you cite conflicting evidence clearly and consistently, your readers
or viewers will understand why the death certificate you quote says John
Doe died in the hospital, but you have recorded the death as being at
home; or possibly why you record the death according to the official
record, but include text that he actually died at home. Which way you do
it is important, but not nearly as important as how well you show how
you arrived at the conclusion.

My practice is to include in my citations all of the actual relevant
text, and to comment on any part of that text that I feel is (or may be)
incorrect.

Darrell


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