The Genealogist’s Job

It’s very easy to say we’re doing our family’s history, but what actually does that mean?  What are we actually doing?

We’re starting with a question (whether we realise it or not!)

a simple one – what was my gt-grandmother’s maiden name?

or a more complex one – was gt-gt-grandfather the first man to import Panama Hats into New Zealand?

And then:

We find sources

which provide evidence

that prove conclusions about identities and relationships, and events.

 

sources:  documents found in our research which relate to our family

evidence:

Direct – usually one document eg a birth certificate

Indirect – a collection of documents leading to an inference

Negative – when you don’t find something when you’re expecting to

conclusion:

what you’re trying to prove

the answer to your question

You may not find a conclusion.  There may be too many records or not enough.  This is called a brick wall!

And in case you’re wondering, no my gt-gt-grandfather was not the first man to import Panama Hats into New Zealand