Genealogy Wise

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Got Genealogy?

GotGenealogy.com is devoted to helping researchers find and document their ancestors by utilizing online resources. Can you do it all online? No, no, a thousand times no. But you can do a whole lot online. We'll show you how.

Website: http://www.GotGenealogy.com
Location: Cyberspace
Members: 86
Latest Activity: Oct 28, 2020

GotGenealogy.com's "GOLDEN RULES of GENEALOGY"

1. “SPELING DUSN’T COWNT”
Back in the day folks couldn’t spell and many could barely write, so check all variant spellings of names. Whenever possible, use wild card or Soundex searches to help find variant spellings of your names.

2. ASSUME NOTHING
Check all your facts, don’t assume that any particular document is right or wrong, and always try to find other independent sources to corroborate your facts as much as possible. Verify, verify, verify. For instance, don’t assume that:
- your ancestors were married
- census information is accurate
- vital (or other) records were correct
- your ancestor’s life events were recorded
- your ancestors were enslaved
- newly freed slaves in the same vicinity with the same surname were related

3. USE DISCRETION
Never lie in your genealogy reports, but use discretion when reporting family information, as it may affect some of your living relatives.

4. ALWAYS DOCUMENT YOUR SOURCES, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY CONTRADICT ONE ANOTHER
Over time, you will compile more data and those once seemingly contradictory pieces of evidence may prove to be just the pieces of the puzzle you need to prove or disprove your theory. But be consistent as you cite your sources. There are all sorts of standard citation formats that you can follow, but even if you just make up your own form for listing your sources, be consistent with it. Future researchers (your descendants) will thank you. Cite your sources.

5. MOST DATES ARE APPROXIMATE
Prior to the 20th century, anyway. It’s okay to state that someone was born “abt. 1845” or died “May 1915” if you don’t have an exact date. And even if you have an exact date from one document, another document may have a different date. And which date is “correct?” They all are.

6. IF UNSURE, SAY SO
Future researchers will thank you for being honest if you simply say that you cannot prove a specific fact, yet you “suspect” such and such is true. Don’t fudge the facts. Ever.

7. YOU CANNOT DO IT ALL ONLINE
Yes, we love doing our research online and we think that there’s nothing better than using the computer to find new sources, view digital images of original documents and even connect with long lost relatives. But, for genealogists, the internet will never replace the wonderful work of libraries, county courthouses, archives, and historical societies. You can’t do it all online. Do as much as you can online, then turn off your computer and hit the bricks!

8. JUST BECAUSE IT’S ONLINE DOESN’T MEAN IT’S TRUE
The internet is a wonderful thing but it’s filled with oodles of bad information. Don’t make the mistake of believing anything you find online at face value. Verify against other sources of information, even if you paid for the information.

9. PASS YOUR RESEARCH ALONG
No matter how many decades you spend researching your family, your research will never be done. In that stead, plan on passing along your research to the next generation’s researchers. Leave excellent notes, cite all your sources, explain your shorthand … in essence, leave your research the way you’d have liked to have found it.

10. DON’T DIE WITH YOUR STORIES STILL IN YOU
Giving credit to Dr. Wayne Dyer for his Don’t die with your music still in you, we want to remind you to tell the stories as completely and as accurately as possible. Genealogy isn’t about just doing research. Genealogy is about telling the stories and ensuring that your ancestor’s legacies live on for generations to come. Without the stories, the research won’t do anyone much good. The legacy of your ancestors rests in your capable hands. Doing the research is fine, but always remember that you have been chosen to tell their stories.

You have our permission to use/publish these Golden Rules as much as you like. Just give us credit for them, okay?

Discussion Forum

Teaching Genealogy to Middle Schoolers

Started by Lisa B. Lee. Last reply by Lisa B. Lee Nov 19, 2009. 11 Replies

November Issue of Got Genealogy News is Online

Started by Lisa B. Lee. Last reply by Lisa B. Lee Nov 9, 2009. 2 Replies

Got Genealogy Featured in Podcast!

Started by Angela Walton-Raji. Last reply by Angela Walton-Raji Sep 8, 2009. 2 Replies

Comment Wall

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You need to be a member of Got Genealogy? to add comments!

Comment by Art Thomas on September 29, 2009 at 9:36am
Hello Lisa,

Just found yout Got Genealogy group here on GenWise, sooo... here I am. Wishing you/us the best with this group and I hope to be able to contribute in some small way.

Art
Comment by Lisa B. Lee on September 8, 2009 at 4:30pm
The September issue of the GOT GENEALOGY NEWS is out. This month's topic: "That's NOT How It's Spelled," which should be near and dear to the hearts of those of us who consider ourselves good spellers –– and how we have had to deal with lousy spelling during our genealogical careers. In addition to poor spelling and penmanship (hence bad transcriptions), I also discuss regional accents and how they affect spelling, the limitations of the Soundex, and how you can use wild cards in your searches to overcome many of these problems.

As usual, we have our monthly "Genealogy Challenge" where you can win a free tote bag, and our year-long iPod Contest, which requires you to do some real research this month.

Download your free copy at our Web site: GotGenealogy.com.

Like to suggest a topic for an upcoming edition? Lemme know.
Comment by Sharon Ray on August 22, 2009 at 9:00am
Love the Golden Rules. I have preached a version of them a thousand times in classes that I have taught.
Comment by Mary Hellman on August 21, 2009 at 12:35pm
Lisa. Loved your website. I wil refer back to it often. There is some great stuff there! Just printed out the August newsletter which I will scour.

Thanks for starting this group and God Genealogy!

Mary
Comment by Lisa B. Lee on July 24, 2009 at 10:03am
Next month's issue of the GGN (Got Genealogy New) will be out in just over a week. You still have time to submit your answer to the Got Genealogy Challenge ... you might win a free tote bag. The contest ends July 25th, so download the July issue of the GGN and give the Challenge a try. HINT: This month, the answer is REALLY easy.
Comment by Lisa B. Lee on July 17, 2009 at 10:06am
Download a FREE copy of the Got Genealogy News at www.GotGenealogy.com. Published monthly, you can enter to win a free Got Genealogy tote bag (see photo, above), or an Apple iPod Nano (purple, of course). See our Web site for more information.
 

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