Help:Genealogical definitions and methods

Genealogical Definitions


 * possiblerefers to the level of confidence that one has concerning a genealogical fact. In this case, it suggests that the "fact" is not contradicted by other known and accepted facts.  For example, if a John Smith was born in 1850 it is possible that he is the child of Robert Smith and Ann Jones, who were married in 1849.  It is not possible that he was the child of Ann Jones who was born in 1748


 * plausible---refers to the level of confidence that one has concerning a genealogical fact. In this case, it suggests that the "fact" is consistent with the currently available information, is not refuted by any known and accepted data, and, in general, would "make sense" if it were indeed correct.  Plausible data, however, does not rise to the level where it can be clearly accepted as proven.  That is, while it doesn't conflict with any other accepted data, it is neither confirmed by any direct primary source, nor does the available data surrounding it sufficient to consider it probably true.  As an example of "plausible data", if John Smith were born in 1850 in the town of Roanoke, VA, it would be both possible and plausible that he could be the child of  Robert Smith and Ann Jones, who were married in 1849 in Roanoke, VA. This datum would not rise to the level of "probable" because their might be more than one Smith family in Roanoke, Va in 1850 who could be his parents.


 * probable---refers to refers to the level of confidence that one has concerning a genealogical fact. In this case, it suggests that the fact is more likley true than note, but that there is no direct primary source that can be cited to show that it is true. usually, things that reach the level of "probably true" have multiple lines of evidence indpendently pointing to their accuracy.  No given line is sufficient by itself to raise the data above the level of "plausible", but taken together, the various lines of evidence suggest that it is in fact "probable".


 * proven---refers to refers to the level of confidence that one has concerning a genealogical fact. In this case, it suggests that the fact is based on direct primary sources, such as a bible record, that demonstrate to a reasonable person that the fact is true. For example, if a letter was found written by John Smith to his parents, and identified them as Robert Smith and Ann Jones, we might reasonable conclude that Robert and Ann were indeed his parents.


 * Primary Sources---


 * Secondary Sources---