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Trusting Other Peoples Work                                 Published Monthly
Lesson 029...                                                                                                            2018 03 01

Defining The Problem...
For computer-based mistakes, the copy/paste "solution" ranks highest. Or you can blame these guys.
Though button sticking can happen, most are the direct result of our own human error.

So simple yet powerful, this one finger copy/paste action can start generations of fact changing!
Still, that does not in itself "create" the issue, it simply contributes to it by beginning here.

Information viewed on the internet is mostly by "casual observers" or perhaps student reports.
Neither are expierienced at fact finding and tend to absorb the first colorful webpage info found.

Websites rely on having an income, and advertisers pay for that.
Obviously, advertisers would rather pay only on "high-ranking" sites (Most visited).
Many publishers aren't researchers themselves, so the data they have tends to go unchecked.

So now we know that this simple fingertip tool can easily change both history as well as its details.
Understanding that concept can prepare you by showing you the vehicle used for errors.
The actual problem is this: The data was not verified before publishing.


How Did That Happen?...
We all want vast and accurate family trees that encompass more information than other family trees.
That desire is not always matched to the necessary amount of drive needed to fuel the workload.
After a given amount of time, we begin to "trust" websites we've always held in high regard.

That action can come from a variety of seemingly justifyable reasons when breaching higher values.
The age-old quantity/quality battle lives on in everything we do, especially within family trees.
Historians, like everyone else are subjectable to time, opinions, and even finances.

Additionally, there are large amounts of innocent yet preventable circumstances leading to bad data.
Non-helpful criteria's include deadlines, drowsiness, language, or even a "need" for a solution.
While each of these may seem manageable at the time, retrospect says they were not.

There can be many variables as to "how" it is that we arrived at the incorrect data being published.
This can be baffling to honest publishers using data from reports instead of from sources.
Again... The actual problem is this: The data was not verified before publishing.


What's Can Be Done To Fix This?...
The preferred solution is to record and publish only verified data, severely reducing production levels.
"Preferred" does not necessarily mean that it's also the best overall choice for longterm publication.
The intent of the published tree must be weighed against the quantity vs. quality arguement.

Two examples for high quality family trees are 1) Personal/Close Family Use, 2) Legality/Medical Uses.
For most of us, our family trees fall under the heading of "a-work-in-progress-mode".
If we're working regularly on a tree we're apt to make quick corrections.

There are several pitfalls that even the expierienced genealogist must be aware of.
Remember to check on everything... With a strong emphasis on "everything".
Incorrect or minimal info found may only be what was available before.

Without a doubt, the best means of preventing errors is to verify the information with a source.
Sources vary and are not the same as a report (ie: Someones elses website tree).
Many publishers have had the time and means to attach these sources!

Awareness is your biggest ally in preventing future publicised errors.
Pay close attention when you discover errors and try to see what caused them.
By knowing your own limits and potential you are better prepared to prevent future errors!


Where Can We Find Accurate Data?...
Websites reporting information are plentiful, and users eventually become aware of better ones.
Some "membership" websites have the source data listed as well as the source images.
Strictly speaking, if you are not looking at the actual document, it is a report.

Many forms of documents are available for download at a few select websites or by purchase.
The most important types are census, military, immigration, birth, death, and marriage.
Many are available here but have yet to be listed, start here with census CD's.

Your local library may have several source's there, or can order what you want from other libraries!
Many people go there looking for items, and as a result, librarians become knowledgable!
At the very least, it's an avenue worth pursuing, even if only to eliminate it.

Other specialty web-based info sites include obituaries, graveyards, military, prisons, and more!
Again, remember that the website's transcription is a report, but the image is a source!
Take the data from the image as "fact", while any added info are more clues.


What Did We Learn From This?...
Genealogy is not a fast-paced game. That's the illusion of a competitive atmosphere.
Take pride in the superior quality of your tree, no matter what it's starting size is!
Others will soon see the difference and begin to follow you as well, or instead!

All errors come down to either not being verified or errors during transcription.
Help avoid or prevent transcription errors by checking/verifying before you "x-out".
If you've a partner or someone equally interested, a second set of eyes is much better.

Trusting others work although sometimes necessary isn't recomended, and so should be temporary.
Although there are many valid uses for non-verified information, it must be stated as such.
Use report data as clues only, but do not post it unless explained for reader use.

Be aware of how your errors have happened and try to preempt their chain of events.
Know the difference between sources and reports, and trust them accordingly.
Error increases happen when blanket-trust is given without verification.

Sources are available to anyone from several places including websites, libraries, CD's, etc..
Even sources can be wrong, so whenever possible use several of them for verifying.
Sometimes there's just no plausible for us way to view a source. Accept that.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Reference data without a source can never be fully trusted.
Just as you cannot trust the data you find, others cannot trust the data you leave.

Second...
Learn to use the places that will let you have access to source data.
Create an actual paper list, you'll be surprised at how many "no-cost" resources you have!

Third...
Verifying your work should be understood as an ongoing venture.
Show the reader that the information is the most current you have from both reports and sources.


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

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