The Genealogical Proof Standard?

For both professional historians and amateur family historians, researching lineage can be a complex process. Direct evidence in the form of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and baptismal records provides valuable information such as dates and maiden names. However, direct evidence does not last forever, and often historians must rely on indirect evidence to piece together lineage.

When historians work with indirect genealogical evidence, they can utilize the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to ensure their research meets sufficient standards to be considered credible. Developed from the book Genealogical Proof Standard: Building a Solid Case by Christine Rose, the book outlines vital steps for conducting genealogical research. According to the Board of Certification of Genealogists, researchers must adhere to GPS if they wish to publish articles on genealogy and family history topics in any scholarly or recreational genealogy journal.

According to the GPS, researchers must conduct “reasonably exhaustive” research and must include a complete and accurate source citation for each statement of fact. The compiled evidence must be “skillfully correlated and interpreted” to ensure its reliability. Additionally, any contradictory evidence the researcher has uncovered must be addressed and resolved. All conclusions should be logical, reasonable, and written about in a coherent manner.

To meet the standard of “reasonably exhaustive” research, historians should make a list of all the records they need, including probate records, census reports, obituaries, marriage certificates, and birth certificates, and then check each item off the list as they locate them. Increasingly, these records can be accessed online through sites such as familysearch.com and findmypast.com.

The availability of information on the Internet is both a boon and an obstacle for family history researchers. When looking for an ancestor, for example, they will likely find multiple websites, records, and books that mention the person or someone with the same name. The GPS can provide tools to help researchers sift through the extensive amount of information. When information cannot be located online, a trip to the library can be the most efficient way to find vital records and historical context.

Even for amateur historians who do not plan to publish their work, using the GPS is the best way to ensure accuracy and credibility. For example, should a researcher find evidence that contradicts earlier work, the GPS provides a clear framework for evaluating and resolving discrepancies, ultimately saving the researcher time. To help researchers interpret and make correct conclusions from their evidence, the GPS provides guidance on evaluating sources.

First, the GPS recommends turning to original sources, which are the first records of an event and tend to be the most accurate and credible. When an original source is unavailable, derivative sources can be used to compile evidence from sources written after the event occurred. Primary information, which might include eyewitness accounts or information reported immediately, is considered more reliable than secondary information, which comes much later or from a person who was not there.

The GPS can also help researchers understand evidence in terms of historical context, social and cultural traditions of the period, and legal precedence, all of which are important when constructing accurate family lineages. To ensure they correctly document their sources, historians can consult the GPS for best citation practices.

By including information such as author name, publication, dates, and page numbers, the researcher can stay organized as they proceed. Should they encounter a conflict, they can easily return to previous research for comparison, as well as efficiently provide evidence in the event their research is challenged.