Genealogical records often contain conflicting, incomplete, or incorrect information. Evaluating evidence is the process of determining how reliable a source is and how strongly it supports a genealogical conclusion.
The Clay Family Society encourages researchers to apply a consistent and transparent framework when interpreting historical records.
Key Concepts in Evidence Evaluation
Genealogical evidence is evaluated by considering three important distinctions:
- Original vs. Derivative Sources
- Primary vs. Secondary Information
- Direct vs. Indirect Evidence
- Conflicts, Transparency & a Standard
Understanding these distinctions helps researchers determine how much confidence to place in a particular record.