Re: Genealogy For The Beginner

Eagle@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (J. Hugh Sullivan) wrote:
>>So, even if you have the largest societies running with let's call it 
>>ethics, you may also have to use data from not very ethical people and
>>you will never know that point.  Someone you may think to be a good 
>>genealogist may appear to be a clown when you find out you are a 
>>better one.  And the opposite is possible.  Someone who published
>>a reference book may have seen data that were lost later, so even if
>>this source has a lot of errors, it can be the only source for some
>>data.
>
>Of what possible use is errroneous data?

Everything we do in life is based on subjective and therefore probably
erroneous data.  Erroneous does not necessarily mean entirely without
foundation.  The set of erroneous data still contains some truth.

>>You have no choice but to accept what is available.  And to
>>fill the blanks.
>
>Of course it depends on the record. I have three theories about my
>ancestors before my gg grand based on available records. No one can
>prove any of them wrong. So, do I maintain three genealogies or do it
>take the services of 3 men to creat my gg grand.

Whatever pleases you.  It's a hobby.

>>With 30% of illegitimates, you reach quite fast the level where
>>your genealogy isn't likely your genetics.  But you can't check
>>the DNA of all Americans to find something.
>
>So, I stop my line where the proof ends and keep looking. The oblect
>is not speed, it's accuracy.

For you, yes.  For others, the object may be different.

For me, it is a structure upon which I can build my study of history,
whether it is of my family or some other.  History is aided by facts
when they are available, but useful history can be built based on
analysis of subjective information as well.

lojbab