Posts in October 5, 2021

Avoid jumping to conclusions based only on one document or record no matter how tempting. Ask yourself: What other “reality” could explain the information I have found in the record? What other records may help provide more information? Is there a simpler explanation? Is there someone else I could ask for their opinion of what I have found? Do I need an answer to the problem “right now” or can it wait? Have I transcribed the records, summarized the information they contained, and written out my conclusions? I used to tell my students “SPR” when they would shout out answers. It stood for “Stop. Pause. Reflect.” That’s good advice for genealogists as well.