When tracing your family tree, how do you know if the information you've found is actually true? This is where the Genealogical Proof Standard comes in. Think of it as a checklist that helps you verify your family history discoveries before accepting them as fact. The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) was introduced by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) in the late 1990s as a framework to ensure accuracy and credibility in genealogical research. It formalized best practices into five key elements: reasonably exhaustive research, complete and accurate source citations, thorough analysis and correlation of evidence, resolution of conflicting evidence, and a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion.
What Is the Genealogical Proof Standard?
The Genealogical Proof Standard, or GPS for short, is a set of five principles that genealogists use to ensure their research is accurate and reliable. It's like following a recipe to make sure your family history "dish" turns out correctly. Professional genealogists worldwide follow these standards, and anyone researching their family tree can use them too.
The Five Elements Explained Simply
1. Conduct a reasonably exhaustive search: This means looking in multiple places for information, not just stopping at the first document you find. The search should be thorough enough so that another researcher would likely find the same sources. You need to examine all relevant record types that might contain the information you're seeking. If you're trying to prove your great-grandfather's birth date, you shouldn't rely on just one family Bible entry. A single source can contain errors or be based on faulty memory. You'd also check birth certificates, census records, military records, and newspaper announcements. Each additional source either corroborates the information or reveals discrepancies that need resolution. The goal is to cast a wide enough net that you're confident no significant evidence has been overlooked.
2. Cite your sources completely and accurately: Write down exactly where you found each piece of information. Proper citations allow others to verify their findings and evaluate the evidence themselves. They also enable you to return to the source later if questions arise or new information emerges. Imagine telling a friend about a great restaurant but forgetting its name and location. That's not very helpful, right? Without specific details, your recommendation becomes impossible to act upon. The same applies to genealogy. Your research loses credibility and usefulness without complete source of information. Note the document name, archive location, page numbers, and dates. Include details like the collection name, repository, film or digital image numbers, and the specific item within a larger record group. A complete citation should provide enough information so that any researcher could locate the exact same record you consulted. This level of detail protects the integrity of your research and makes it possible for future generations to build upon your work.
3. Analyze and correlate the evidence: This means comparing different sources to see if they agree or conflict. Each source must be evaluated for its reliability, accuracy, and potential for error. Consider when the record was created, who provided the information, and whether they had firsthand knowledge of the event. Think of it like being a detective who gathers witness statements. You weigh each piece of testimony based on the credibility of the witness and their proximity to the event in question. If three records say your ancestor was born in 1845 but one says 1847, you need to figure out which is most reliable. Look at whether the sources are primary (created at the time of the event) or secondary (created later from memory or other records). Consider the purpose for which each record was created and any potential biases. An original birth certificate created within days of birth carries more weight than a death certificate created seventy years later, where the informant might not have known the exact birth date. Correlation involves identifying patterns, resolving contradictions, and understanding why discrepancies exist before reaching a conclusion.
4. Resolve any conflicting evidence: Sometimes records disagree, and you must determine which is correct. Conflicts are common in genealogical research and cannot simply be ignored or wished away. You must address each discrepancy directly and explain your reasoning for accepting one piece of evidence over another. Consider the source's reliability, how close it was to the actual event, and who provided the information. A record created at the time of an event by someone with direct knowledge is generally more trustworthy than one created years later from memory. Ask yourself whether the informant had reason to know the facts accurately or might have had motivations to misrepresent them. For example, a marriage record might list an incorrect age if someone was underage and needed to appear older. Sometimes conflicting evidence cannot be fully resolved, and you must acknowledge the uncertainty. In such cases, present all the evidence transparently, explain what each source says, and describe why you've given more weight to certain sources. The resolution process requires careful reasoning and honest assessment rather than simply choosing the answer you prefer.
5. A sound conclusion based on the strongest evidence: After completing your research, write a clear statement explaining what you believe is true and why. Your conclusion should directly answer the genealogical question you set out to resolve. It must be based on evidence rather than speculation or wishful thinking. Explain which sources you relied upon most heavily and your reasoning for trusting them.
A sound conclusion accounts for all the evidence you've gathered, including information that might seem contradictory. Address how you resolved conflicts and why certain sources were deemed more credible than others. Your written conclusion serves as proof of your methodology and demonstrates that you followed rigorous standards. It should be specific enough that another researcher could understand your logic and potentially challenge it with new evidence. Remember that genealogical conclusions can be revised when new information comes to light. Being willing to update your conclusions based on better evidence is a mark of good research practice. The goal is to reach the most accurate conclusion possible given the available evidence, not to prove a predetermined outcome.
Written by John Peter-Brown. Used with permission.
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