The Family History Guide

Case Study 1
As a family history consultant/educator, you are often
met with the comment, “I know I should be doing my
family history, but I feel like all my family history has
been done and I don’t know how I can be of any
use.”

Created by: Kim Van Dyke, Sharlyn Devenish, Lee Williamson.

There is no such thing as a “finished” family tree. In family history work,
there is something for everyone to do, and there is always more that needs to
be done.

In this presentation, we’ll share a few ways that anyone can work on their
own family history, while assuring that their research efforts meet the
Genealogical Proof Standard, or GPS.(1) For simplicity, we will use
FamilySearch.org.
1. Board for Certification of Genealogists, “Ethics and Standards,” bcgcertification.org/ethics- standards, accessed
11 November 2020.
Log into FamilySearch.org with a FREE account.
● Start with your records, documents, and memories. Look at your personal records.
Do you have all the births, marriages, and places recorded accurately for all the
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren? Add legitimate sources to each
record, originals whenever possible.
● Updates are constantly being added to online databases such as FamilySearch.org,
[ use partneraccess for free accounts to ] Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, and
MyHeritage.com. Check them regularly. You never know what you might find.
Record the sources as you add the information to your records.
● Check for duplicates. Double-check your information before correcting, and
merging files.
● https://content.byui.edu/file/7def9a34-12f6-439a-afbc-b5bf84f0dc34/1/Professional%20Genealogy%20-%20Evi
dence%20Analysis.pdf
 Genealogical Proof Standard
The GPS is the standard that genealogists adhere to when conducting their
research. The GPS has the following components:

1. Conduct reasonably exhaustive research.

2. Use complete and accurate source citations.
3. Conduct thorough analysis and correlation.
4. Resolve any conflicting evidence.
5. Write a soundly reasoned conclusion based on the strongest evidence.

Whether you are a professional genealogist, or just working on your own family tree,
these standards matter. You should learn them and apply them. More info on the
GPS can be found at here: https://bcgcertification.org/ethics-standards/
Conduct Thorough Analysis and Correlation
● There are always mistakes made in research, so make sure you trust your source
before changing anything. Ask yourself, do the pieces fit?
● Take the time to acknowledge, analyze, and explain any discrepancies. This is
where you need to determine if the information is relevant to this family. Is it
primary or secondary information? Can we convince others with our findings?
● Do you have clear and convincing evidence for any discrepancies you have found?
Evaluating your individual sources helps to weigh your reasoning in order to make
a sound conclusion.
● Make a chart and see if all the information fits the puzzle.

(https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Evaluate_the_Evidence#Nature_of_the_Information)
 Resolve Any Conflicting Evidence: Data Problems

The Research Helps view can help you identify persons with data problems. These can be simple fixes
such as switching to standardized place names or dates. They can also be problems such as child with
birth dates outside of the mother’s childbearing years.
Write A Soundly Written Conclusion Based On Evidence
● After everything is done, it’s time to write your family history for others to enjoy. If
you don’t do it, who will?
● When writing about your ancestors, respect them by not embellishing their life
stories. Try to be clear in what you are relating in your work. Avoid using cliches.
Use their own quotes if you have any and cite the source in a footnote.
● Keep the events in order to avoid confusion. When adding a new person into the
story, identify them right away. Add photos.
● Edit your work. There is genealogical software that can help you in
FamilySearch.org, Family Tree Builder, RootsMagic.com and others.
● Make a book to share all your hard work.

https://bcgcertification.org/skillbuilding-good-genealogical-writing/