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Surnames vs. Bloodlines-Dispelling Myths           Published Monthly
Lesson 045...                                                                                                            2019 07 01

Defining The Problem...
Accuracy... Or in-accurracy?
The answer depends on whether you're finding lineage, or simply building a family tree of members.

While it's very easy to follow another family tree, there are many inherant pitfalls that can arise.
It can be time consuming...Give false/mis-leading data...Or have other wrong lineages.

Most novice builders/onlookers might think trees reflect known lineages because "someone checked".
We are each that "someone" that should be checking for those documentation sources.

Due to the size of most family trees, finding birth certificates for all would take more than a lifetime.
We're forced to use other means like census files and death certificates-Or worse yet, other trees!
While established trees may be respected for fullness, without birth certificates, it's uncertain.

Thousands of census sheets have children listed as son or daughter that were either step or adopted.
Death certificate information is given by surviving friends or relatives while upset, to a career official.
In reality, unless each person in the tree has an attached birth certificate, we can never be certain.


How Did That Happen?...
We're softies. We like to do nice things for the "less fortunate".. But that's not always helpful.
This can actually turn out to be a different variation of "killing them with kindness".
Those mis-represented as "son" or "daughter" lost their true heritage.

Whether it was of legal or moral reason, the records of yesteryear frequently state "adopted child".
Most noticable of these are the marriage records found from the 1700's and earlier.
At some point (Especially in the US), this practice was eroded away.

In modern times adoption is a very lucrative field. That is, it pays well! Tax breaks, food, medical, etc.
The phrase "It's for the best" is often used to justify the placements of children into foster care.
Prior to becoming a profitable field it probably was best, but has become stayhome job.

In modern times, it's very difficult, even for the "adult child" to obtain records of who the parents are.
Some may know only one parent, and must then believe whatever they are told about the other.
The injustice done to child and parent is then justified for the fortune or praise of the new.


What Can We Do To Fix This?...
Sometimes the children fixed it themselves when they became of age (More difficult in modern times).
Other times they continue with the adoptive surname, which can become a forgotten change.

We must focus first on the reality (Not our sense of right and wrong).
Reporting falsely on what we perceive as unfortunate or unwanted people can hurt others.
We can't tell what's in another persons heart today, much less 100 years ago, so we report only facts.

Most (If not all) genealogical software includes options to show birth/adopted/step relationships.
Using this option is by far one of the most important steps we can take to help the adopted!
Having factual data (As opposed to myths) allows insight to DNA info including health!

Depending on the adopted age, the child may never know it happened-How would their decendants?
While the "Look what I found!" thought may come over you, there are things to remember.
Check your sources, then be subtle, there may be thousands still unaware.

So as it turns out, it's very possible to add adoptive members to family trees with accuracy!
Most genealogy software allows for "relationship type", but be certain to include the info sources.
It can help adopted lines find their true ancestors, while still acknowledging those who gave the care.


Where Can We Find The Lost Data?...
We may come to realize there is a problem basically in two main ways.
During the course of research, documents can arise with a different child or parent name.
Obviously a living adopted child that's aware, would have the best chance of securing conclusive data.

For purposes of this article, only the former known method of awareness can be discussed.
No one can make the decision for the adopted child as to whether to discover the truth or not.
Making the info available can provide a world of information that would otherwise not be available.

While using other persons trees may be a "norm" for many, it usually doesn't help for adoptive cases.
The primary sources for useful information chances are the birth and marriage certificate records.
While the reasoning for birth records is obvious, the latter might come from child knowledge.

Additionally, transcriptions are not the same as images. Do not depend on transcriptions as facts.
Birth record images are likely the best proof/source you will find to defend your data.
Dead end data might be revived by looking at parent/sibling obituaries.


What Did We Learn From This?...
Many of us may not be who we think we are.
But there are ways to find out!

Starting with your own lines, secure birth records/certificates for both maternal and paternal lineages.
From there, you'll need to decide whether to concentrate on a tighter or broader tree style.
Most will start with a fairly closeknit family tree, and soon become widened.

It may take far too much time or expense to retain copies of birth certificates for your entire tree.
Alternate previous generations birth certificate/records search to every other generation.
This can give some level of surity, while providing a significant time savings.

There are many indicators as to whether a child was natural, adopted or step.
Most obvious and simplest is to confirm the childs age. Do the math! Does the timing fit?
Check parental previous marriage dates, sibling birth dates and even prior censuses for locations.

People aren't generally concerned with recording adopted children for decendants to research.
They're also trying to give the child as much of a welcome/part-of-us feeling as possible.
Chances are more significant after each generation that adoptions are forgotten.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Record your data accurately.
Link to, or show reference of the supporting data source(s).

Second...
Step and adopted persons should be included as birthnames with references.
Be aware of the differences between step, foster, adopted and short-term transients.

Third...
Be kind in your descriptions... Many decendants may not be aware of step-siblings or adoptions.
Use factual data only, limit speculation regarding data and only if necessary but never give opinions.



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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