| Genealogical Proof
. . . and Fraud |
| What is PROOF? |
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- Philosophers have long struggled with the foundations of proof, and even
question if there is any such thing, so what is presented here is not meant
to be authoritative, but rather to give some insight for the family history
researcher into generally accepted practices.
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- Scientists and historians generally agree that there is no absolute proof.
Instead, they seek the highest level of probability that something is true,
with the understanding that evidence may later surface that will call into
question what is now accepted as fact. For the genealogist and family
historian, the available evidence is not as precise as a scientific law or
theorem but, properly collected and verified, historical evidence can be
quite compelling.
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| How do I verify and/or prove my data? |
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Family history data is authenticated by collecting evidence which supports
it, and by testing that evidence to see if it is true. The level of
probability that something is true will be determined by the number of "witnesses"
(evidence) that attest to the data in question, and to the level of confidence
placed in those witnesses. |
| What types of evidence are there? |
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There are two generally accepted categories of evidence: |
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1 - Scientific evidence.-- The scientific method requires that a physical
observation undergo empirical testing. To be considered valid, the
results of these tests must be repeatable. For instance, water repeatedly
boils at 100oC at STP, and the electron, though
never directly observed, has its existence deduced from consistently repeatable
phenomenae. The physical aspects of nature work well with this method,
but determining who actually gave the Gettysburg Address (or whether it was
given at all) does not, as there can never be another physical occurrence
of that speech, by that speaker, at that time.. (DNA evidence is a
form of scientific evidence that can be used in genealogical research.)
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2 - Legal or Historical evidence.-- This method is used in court
cases and by historians to show that a particular event happened in the past.
The past life of an individual, or the past events surrounding that individual,
require this type of verification. This method is based upon the
available evidences or witnesses and upon their credibility(see below).
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What types of historical evidence are accepted?
(in no particular order) |
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- Birth records.
- Circumcision, christening and baptism records.
- Family Bibles (family events are often recorded there).
- Diaries.
- Death records.
- Tombstones.
- Wills, probate records, deeds and other courthouse records (e.g. civil
or criminal records) can give information.
- Passenger manifests.
- Immigration records.
- Military enlistment, service and pension records.
- Social
Security Death Index and application records.
- Census and tax records.
- Church membership records.
- Masonic or other Fraternal organization membership records.
- News stories and obituaries.
- Personal knowledge.
- Family Lore.
- DNA, showing common lineages of families. (This is a scientific method
or procedure which can support historical evidence.)
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As might be expected, some of these evidences are given more weight than
others. For example, legal documents are usually given more credibility
than a newspaper article or a story passed down by word of mouth. |
| Are all evidences accepted as PROOF? |
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It depends on the level of confidence that is placed upon the evidence.
In a courtroom, for example, a witness is believed until they are shown to
be untrustworthy through cross-examination. In the same manner, the
researcher should cross-examine everything, remembering that any record can
be in error, as they are vulnerable to mistakes, lies and misinterpretation.
Everyone has experienced hearing a convincing story, only to find that it
was a fabrication, and you won't search through census records long before
finding an error. The researcher must determine the relative level
of authentication they believe each piece of evidence presents. |
| Is there any absolute PROOF? |
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There will always be room for doubt. Anything accepted as a fact
must be supported by evidence which must be tested and verified, but it will
always be open for re-evaluation. |
| Is DNA evidence an authentication or PROOF of ancestral
ties? |
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DNA tests can show: |
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1. DNA test results will show if a person is NOT descended from the
same line as another person. This can prevent searching in the wrong
direction.
2. DNA test results can show that one person is descended from the
same line as another. The number of individuals in the group, and the
number of markers resolved add to the confidence level of the results.
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DNA evidence can virtually prove that people share a common ancestor.
It can also indicate an approximate time frame within which the common ancestor
lived. Knowing for certain which line one belongs to can narrow the
search and, with other supporting evidence, can provide a level of proof not
possible with traditional methods alone.
But care must be taken in how this evidence is used. An example
of an error in the interpretation of DNA testing is the news stories about
Thomas Jefferson having fathered a child named Eston by Sally Hemmings.
The DNA tests do indicate that her children were from the same paternal line
as that of Thomas Jefferson, but that includes his uncles, cousins several
times removed and nephews. Historian Williard S. Randall wrote "There
were 25 men within 20 miles of Monticello who were all Jeffersons and had
the same Y chromosome. And 23 of them were younger than Jefferson, who was
65 years old when Eston was conceived."
To say those tests definitely prove Sally Hemmings' progeny
are descendants of Thomas Jefferson is to misinterpret, or to purposefully
misconstrue, the evidence. |
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Falsification of Data, Fraud.
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There are many sources of fraudulent data, be careful what
you accept as factual. Probably the most notorious authors of genealogical
fraud is Gustave Anjou, who lived from 1863-1942. He concocted genealogies
for the wealthy, and they are well-done and appear authoritative, weaving
false data in with true. In 1942, the
New York Times noted Anjou had "developed
a profitable business in the sale of mail-order ancestors". Many of
Anjou's fraudulent works reside in libraries today. Information on the
falsifications of this man can be found at
Fraudulent Lineages.
Gustave Anjou isn't the first person to fabricate data, and he won't be the
last. Be careful.
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