You may be delving into your family tree, but suddenly, you hit a wall when your information conflicts.
One document says your great-great grandmother, Sue, had three children, and another claims she had six.
What should you do? Here are some tips and strategies to help you sort through conflicting genealogy information.
Take Notes
Much of the information you find on your family history has merely been copied from earlier documents, which means that sometimes the wrong information gets passed down and documented over and over again.
To track which facts are correct and which are not, make sure to note your information sources.
An organization system is crucial for genealogists, so document the name of the book, author, publisher, year of publication, and ISBN.
Additionally, document where you found the information, such as your local library, so you can refer back to it if needed.
Do the Math
Double-check all the dates to ensure they are reasonable.
A simple typo can make a world of difference and lead you off track in your research. For instance, a woman born in 1690 could not have become a mother in 1700.
Watch out for nicknames
A nickname can also cause confusion and result in conflicting information, especially in a family where names are passed down, and you have many people with the same name.
A request for a birth certificate for May Smith will likely be rejected by a record office if the name in their files is Mary Smith.
Inconsistencies are common
There will likely be several variations on the spelling of family surnames, and as you delve further back in time, you may encounter confusing and conflicting information.
Names change over time, and some of your relatives may have been illiterate and unable to convey the spelling of their last name accurately to record keepers.
Knowing this can help you sort out which information is accurate and which isn’t.
Additionally, people defined relationships differently in the past.
For instance, in the 17th century, a stepson or stepdaughter was often called a son or daughter-in-law.
If you have conflicting information about parentage and children, knowing this can help you sort out the facts.
Watch Out for Changing Boundaries
Cities and municipalities change over time, so it’s easy to find conflicting information about where someone was born, died, married, etc., as the place’s name may have changed over time.
As you come across conflicting information, don’t panic.
Make a note of it and continue researching.
You don’t have to decide what’s true and what’s false immediately, and in fact, rushing to make a decision could lead you in the wrong direction.
Conflicting information is a common part of uncovering your family tree, so expect it, prepare for it, and cherish it.
This detective work is what makes genealogy an exciting and engaging science.
