Wills & Probate

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Start Date: __/__/____

The Clay Family Society encourages members to initiate focused collaboration around well-defined research questions. You do not need to have answers—only a question worth examining collectively.

Scope and Research Question

Briefly describe the focus of this workgroup. Define what is in scope and, just as importantly, what is out of scope. A well-bounded scope is a success criterion, not a limitation.

Type of Workgroup (Choose one most relevant): 

Lineage | Regional | Cemeteries | Records | Tools | Hybrid / Other (explain)

Evidence Domains (Select all that apply):

Primary records
Secondary sources
DNA evidence
Analytical synthesis

Coordinator

Coordinator’s Name:
Other Member Names & Role (optional)

The coordinator facilitates organization, reporting and managing the workgroups website data as Workgroup Editor; they do not determine conclusions.

Collaboration Norms (Participants agree to):

1. Cite sources clearly and consistently
2. Distinguish evidence from interpretation
3. Preserve minority or competing hypotheses when evidence is inconclusive
4. Treat all contributions as provisional unless supported by evidence

Submissions are reviewed for clarity and scope only. Approval is administrative and intended to ensure coordination—not to judge the merits of hypotheses.

Outputs and Reporting

Describe expected outputs (e.g., lineage summaries, research notes, DNA interpretations, open questions) and how often the workgroup will summarize progress for the broader membership.

Duration and Review

• Ongoing (submit findings once every year – specify month)
• Time-limited (anticipated review date: ________)

Workgroups may be revised, merged, or concluded as research questions evolve.

Submit completed forms to: admin@clayfamilysociety.org