www.Leazott.com

Historical Facts, Fiction & Errors                                                2016 10 01
Lesson 012...                                                                                                 Published Monthly

The Way We Were...
We learn about history from the time we understand speech.
We see parades, calendar dates, movies and much much more.

Is it true? Is it really all true?
Many have probaby heard the old saying: "History is written by those who win".
There is much truth in that saying, but defining who these winners are may not be so easy.

Several areas may influence eventual storylines from start to finish.
The people involved, bosses/company image, military or government image, political views, newspaper-radio-television station owner or advertisers political views and government censorship, schoolbook sales, and political correctness.

Though Hitler's "propaganda machine" is probably the most well known, it is far from the only one.
Social media evolved overnight, dwarfing any prior attempts to help guide your thinking.

Usually when people hear the word "propaganda" they think in terms of steering future events.
It is moreso used to mask past events in order to show history in a certain light.
Nothing is sacred....


How Do We Confirm The Media?...
When we see a picture or video, do we believe it because of its source?
Modern examples are the animal abuse commercials slow motion/sad music overture.
Some animal abuse does happen, but those commercials would have you believe it's rampant!
Shown at full speed with happy music we'd find wagging tails and sniffing noses-All healthy signs!

Usually, propaganda is more subtle than the above highlights and mainly for commercial gain.
For genealogy purposes, the record images are stagnate and finite. That is, what's done is done.
Their stories have all been played out, and information should not be added into them or changed.

Consistancy... That very boring, sleepy feeling as you sift through a persons files.
Those same years, places, ages, tax values and more that we find on every related file.
When one of these persons is found, a feeling of honesty emits. Nothing hidden, no surprises.

There are however, inaccuracies that are/will be undetected due at best by clues missed.
As stated above, to confirm a persons whereabouts, use multiple unrelated documents.
Normally not done for every person, but advisable for certain questionable instances.


What's All This Got To Do With Genealogy?
Historically inaccurate records, statements, articles and stories gently lead us down the wrong path.
They show the life of family or individual in a very different light than what was actually the truth.
Seemingly insignificant, it can quietly transfer the real "hero-ship" from one person to another.

While doing research, my own name came up in searches-Of course I clicked the links!
Several standard records were far from the truth. How could this be? Official documents wrong?
These inaccuracies taught a valuable lesson to look for multiple un-related documents for confirming.

Recently, the local news ran a "feelgood" story opening with how "precious little rain" we'd had.
Evidently, the raingauge must be near the author as it supports that, but here was different.
We expierienced so many rain and thunderstorms-in direct conflict to what was reported!

Loosely phrased references by sources in regards to slavery designations cause many needless issues.
A publisher using the phrase "brought millions of workers" incited others to react on social media.
It also leads readers to believe it's 100% imported slaves, though the reality is very different.
It's possible they used the figures for Atlantic Slave Trade-Total vs US Slave Trade-Total.

Or, the numbers possibly include several generations of their decendants, Scottish and Irish slaves.
In addition, there are some differences between those in slavery and those bound in servitude.
The two terms represent some different things as servitude was also known as indentured.


So What Do We Learn From This?...
It's obvious that inaccuracies can be misleading, and hopefully we all learn to fact-check responsibly!
A dangerous area is in being politically correct. Mis-reporting the facts allows them to be mis-used.
Even when not misused, figures that combine all sub-figures taken as one group can be inciteful.

In a hundred years from now the postings will be considered "facts". The inaccuracies won't matter.
So if it's happening now, it was probably happening the same way a hundred years ago or more.
How do we attempt to discern between the real history and the propaganda that's also there?

Again, those unrelated documents!
Whether it's accidental or deliberate mis-information, the story will have an underlying core.
Tax records may tell you where a property is, but loan documents will tell it's true cost.

Mistakes happen. There will be all sorts of errors in all types of documents.
Look for the consistancies as well as for the extreme differences.
Your findings are just as valid as other peoples findings.


What To Look For...
Before, during and after the point....Do they all match up? Does the story keep changing?
There are several "normal" inaccuracies you will find while doing general research.
If something is very different from the others, there has to be a reason.

Many of these may be honest quirks in the name of mis-spelling or modern illiteracy.
Several various forms of records should be consulted for each bit of information.
Be sure you mark each piece of information with the source(s) you found.

Finding one source that places someone in a given place may not be enough.
A corroborating source can substantiate it immensly, making your information reputable.

In this day of "identity theft" and other illegitimate reasons, it's astounding who will alter records.
Look for non-matching storys-don't discount them, they're simply another side of the truth.

Beyond all else-Use reliable sources for information-Several of them if possible.
Use as much data as possible to verify something when you find conflict.
If your instinct is telling you somethings not right...Keep digging!


The Basic Rules...
First...
Decide how important accuracy is to you and your tree.
The amount of time and effort will be directly proportional to that.

Second...
There may be several possible reasons for each of the inconsistancies you find.
You may not ever find the reason for their existance, only that the inconsistantcies do exist.

Third...
Do your own research, and believe in your work. Document your findings and verify them.
If you can prove what you've found, consider adding it in your tree permanently until disproven.


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com