This is part of my ongoing series on Educational Preparation
for BCG Certification. It is not limited to those interested in certification,
but provides ideas for any interested genealogist. There are links to the other
posts in the series at the bottom of this article.
Note: One of the recommendations in part 2 of this article (which will be posted next Monday), is time sensitive so will be included here. Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16th, there is a free webinar
hosted by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
“The
Importance of Context in Record Analysis”
Presented by Barbara Vines Little,
CG, FNGS, FVGS
LIVE: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 – register here
Description: Source citations provide context for
the information we gather. Was the death date from a tombstone, a newspaper
obituary, a county history, a Bible record, or a death certificate? The best
citations tell us that the tombstone was contemporary with the death, the Bible
record was entered in the same hand and the same ink, the county history was
written a hundred and fifty years later, and the death certificate was signed
by an attending physician. The details provide background context that helps us
evaluate the validity of the information and suggests other avenues for
research. But this information only scratches the surface. A full evaluation of
any record’s context requires that we explore the complete content of the
document. We want to know the reason for the document’s existence; the social,
legal, and geographical context behind its creation; and what ancillary
documents were produced both before and after its creation.
Studying Evidence Analysis, Part 1
This week our focus is on understanding and applying the second element of the Genealogical Proof Standard, “tests—through processes of analysis and correlation—of all sources, information items, and evidence.” This topic is broader than others we have discussed in this series. I will highlight some of the options I have found for studying evidence analysis and correlation, and I hope others will share their suggestions in the comments.
Informal Study Options:
1 - Read chapter 1 on the “Fundamentals of Evidence Analysis” in Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2015).
This chapter is
one of the best explanations of evidence analysis available in genealogy. It
covers basic issues and then explains the evidence analysis process map (the
third edition of the book published in 2015 contains the most recent version of
the map).
In this chapter
Elizabeth Shown Mills states:
“As history researchers we do not
speculate. We test. We critically observe and carefully record. Then we weigh the accumulated evidence, analyzing
the individual parts as well as the
whole.” (Evidence Explained, page 15)
She continues on
to list the important considerations in conducting analysis of genealogical
records and the evidence they contain, including the classes of evidence, the
quality of the evidence, and points to consider in your analysis.
2 – Second, study
chapter 5 of Mastering Genealogical
Proof by Thomas W. Jones (Arlington,
Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 2013).
In this chapter Thomas W. Jones states:
“Proof,
of course, requires us to determine which sources, information items, and evidence items are probably correct and
which are not. Consequently, we must test our sources,
information and evidence.” (Mastering
Genealogical Proof, page 53)
Dr. Jones points out that “we analyze one source at a
time,” and provides tests for analyzing the source and the information. Once we
have analyzed each source we compare them to see what evidence agrees, and
where we may have conflicts. This chapter contains examples of analysis and
correlation in the figures and tables provided, and then exercises for you to
practice these skills.
3 - Review chapter 4 on “Standards for
Researching” in Genealogy Standards: 50th Anniversary Edition by the
Board for Certification of Genealogists (Nashville: Ancestry, 2014). This
chapter contains standards #35 through #47 for analyzing evidence, and
particularly #35 on source analysis and #36 on information analysis. These are
the standards by which BCG portfolio applications will be judged.
4 – Study chapter
17 on “Evidence Analysis” by
Donn Devine in Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors,
Lecturers and Librarians edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills (Baltimore:
Genealogical Publishing Company, 2001). This chapter was written before the new 3 x 3
Evidence Process Map was produced (see the 2015 edition of Evidence Explained), but the principles in the chapter are sound.
The questions about factors that point to the reliability, or unreliability, of
evidence on page 337 are useful tools.
5 – You may also like to read Elements of Genealogical Analysis by Robert Charles Anderson (Boston: NEHGS, 2014). This book
presents a step-by-step process for solving genealogical problems using source
analysis, record analysis and linkage analysis. Anderson uses different
terminology than the Board for Certification and Mastering Genealogical Proof, so don’t get confused, but his analysis
techniques are sound.
6 -- As
recommended in the post on citations, the EvidenceExplained.com
website is an excellent resource. You will want to return often to read new
posts in the forums, as well as new QuickLessons and blog posts. Here are a few
of the ones most relevant to evidence analysis:
Evidence Explained Forums – a place for you to ask questions on
evidence analysis issues as well as record usage and interpretation. You may
want to read the archives.
Evidence Explained QuickLessons -
these are brief lessons on a variety of source, analysis and citation
topics. Here are a few that are relevant to studying evidence analysis:
QuickTips – the blog at EvidenceExplained.com. Start
with these posts:
7
– Study the article “Working with Historical Evidence: Genealogical Principles
and Standards” by Elizabeth Shown Mills from Evidence: A Special Issue of the National Genealogical Society
Quarterly, 87 (September 1999): 165-184. It is available as a PDF file on
Elizabeth’s website at http://historicpathways.com/download/workwthhistevidence.pdf
8 - Read the articles "The Importance of Genealogical Analysis and Correlation" (April 2015) and "The Great Mix-Up: Sources, Information, Evidence and Proof" (March 2015) by Melissa A. Johnson, CG in the NGS Monthly. Members of the National Genealogical Society can access the NGS Monthly at http://ngsmonthly.ngsgenealogy.org/
9 – Read the skillbuilding articles on the website of the Board for Certification of Genealogists that relate to evidence:
8 - Read the articles "The Importance of Genealogical Analysis and Correlation" (April 2015) and "The Great Mix-Up: Sources, Information, Evidence and Proof" (March 2015) by Melissa A. Johnson, CG in the NGS Monthly. Members of the National Genealogical Society can access the NGS Monthly at http://ngsmonthly.ngsgenealogy.org/
9 – Read the skillbuilding articles on the website of the Board for Certification of Genealogists that relate to evidence:
Stefani Evans, "Data Analysis," OnBoard
18 (May 2012): 13-14.
Stefani Evans, "Evidence Correlation," OnBoard 18 (September 2012):
21-23.
Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Analyzing Wills for Useful Clues," OnBoard 1 (May 1995): 16.
Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Analyzing Deeds for Useful Clues," OnBoard 1 (January 1995): 8.
10 – Read case
studies in genealogy journals to learn how others used methodologies for
solving genealogical problems. The most-often recommended publications are the
following:
Part 2 of "Studying Evidence Analysis" with the formal study activities will be posted on Monday, February 22, 2016.
Note:
These are just
ideas for you to add to your individual education plan as you choose. They are
NOT meant to be a checklist where you have to read/study/participate in every
option.
Other posts in
this series:
Educational Preparation for BCG Certification
Studying the Genealogical Proof Standard
Educational Preparation for BCG Certification
Studying the Genealogical Proof Standard
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