TMG-L Archives
Archiver > TMG > 2010-12 > 1292696763
From: Lee Hoffman <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Always specific names for specific events? Bad idea.
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:26:03 -0500
References: <201012171432.oBHEWxkZ012827@mail.rootsweb.com><2010121795233.861204@Terry><201012171518.oBHFIZ76001812@mail.rootsweb.com><4D0B9B48.1050009@gmail.com> <4D0BDDFA.6030605@verizon.net><4D0C3441.4010300@sprynet.com><001c01cb9eba$63f6b790$2be426b0$@net><201012181428.oBIESQnp020677@mail.rootsweb.com><002001cb9ec0$cb174380$6145ca80$@net>
In-Reply-To: <002001cb9ec0$cb174380$6145ca80$@net>
Teresa Elliott wrote:
>But without recording the information exactly as it is recorded on the
>original documents, there is no way that you or I can draw any conclusions
>about the person. Otherwise we have four separate documents that may or may
>not be for the same person (other evidence aside). When we draw the
>conclution that yes this is the same guy, we still have no evidence as to
>how he spelled his name (he most likely didn't since it's not spelled
>consistently in the documents.)
What I am saying is that if you record the data exactly as in the
record, that is fine. But, if the recording is in that of a single
person then _you_ have made a conclusion that the data is for a
single person when it _could_ be that the data is actually for
different persons. Ino other words, the data is only _data_in the
original record(s). What _you_ do with it changes the data to
conclusions and allegations when it is recorded in TMG.
As we enter the data in TMG, we often edit the Sentence(s) with
modifiers, add Surety Values, or otherwise try to indicate our
rationale behind our conclusions and allegations. But our entries
are still conclusions or allegations on our part.
As far as multiple ways in which names can be recorded, my more or
less standard first, middle and last name has been recorded in
various places at least five different ways. And then there is the
letter that I once received from my mother with my last initial and
middle name switched. Had that been recorded in the census or some
"official" records then that would likely have led someone to
conclude incorrectly that the name was for a different person.
Lee Hoffman/KY
TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>;
My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>;
A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)
This thread:
| Re: [TMG] Always specific names for specific events? Bad idea. by Lee Hoffman <> |