SpringBoard is pleased to offer a review of this BCG Skillbuilding lecture, presented 03 May 2018.
T201, Richard Sayre, CG®, CGL℠, FUGA
“The Poor and the Landless: Correlating Indirect Evidence to Build a Proof Argument”
Reviewed by Jean Foster Kelley, CG®
The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is the guiding principle in genealogical research. Following the five steps of the GPS provides the foundation for research and reasoning that leads to sound genealogical conclusions. While covering all five steps of the GPS, the lecturer focused attention on three specific steps: (1) thorough research, (2) analysis and comparison, and (3) resolution of conflicts.
Rick Sayre, CG®, CGL℠, FUGA
The case study presented was based on indirect evidence to answer the question: “Who were the parents of Margaret Powell?” Margaret was never tied by any record to either of her parents. The lecturer conducted his research in two diverse areas: a poor, rural area of southeast Ohio, and the community of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Records found during research spanned state and local boundaries, and socio-economic groups.
Thorough research requires searching many types of records, perhaps in many locations. Some of the records used in this case study were: court, census and tax lists, land, probate, death and burial, military, soldiers’ homes, and newspapers. These records were found in many places: local, state, and county offices; historical societies; online websites; and national repositories.
As the research progressed, the process of thoroughly analyzing all material found was ongoing. This was not a short-term project, but one which required diligence and careful analysis to answer the question. This lecture provided an interesting case study on solving a genealogical question with indirect evidence. It is one I will listen to again to refresh my skills.
A recording of this lecture may be ordered from Playback Now at www.playbackngs.com
The words Certified Genealogist and letters CG are registered certification marks, and the designations CGL and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation.