That old family tree or old undocumented genealogy may be the only source that makes a certain statement.
A researcher just can’t assume it is incorrect simply because it’s “old” and “unsourced.” One has to do a little bit of thinking.
If the book was published in 1895, is there a chance statements made in the book about someone born in 1803 are true? I certainly could have written a book in 1995 and made statements about my grandfather who was born in 1903. I would not have had primary knowledge of some things about my grandfather, but there would have been other stories I would have heard that very likely were at least partially true. Even if I were not interested in genealogy, I would have at least have known who were his acknowledged siblings were and their rough order of birth—and some other details about them.
The challenge is knowing who made the statements in the 1895 book. But just because it’s “old” and unsourced does not mean it is incorrect. But just because it’s in print does not mean it is automatically correct either.
Like any source, it needs to be evaluated.
Now..if that book published in 1895 references someone born in 1603….that’s a whole ‘nuther story.”
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