[Genealogy] Genealogy Budget Standard, Accuracy Versus Consistency

[Michael John Neill]

In this Email:
Genealogy Budget Standard
Keep Getting Updates
Accuracy Versus Consistency
Genealogy Consultation Sale
Common Name Webinar
NotebookLM

(c) 2025 Michael John Neill
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Genealogy Budget Standard
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Maybe it’s time we had a “Genealogical Budget Standard.”

After all, we have a “Genealogical Proof Standard” and a variety of other
terms and definitions created by professionals, accrediting bodies, etc.

But sometimes, amid all the theory, reality rears its ugly head. I can’t
afford a copy of every document. I understand why getting as many copies of
things is genealogically prudent. There can always be a “new clue” in an
unexpected place. I also understand that the *Genealogical Proof Standard* does
not always mean that we get *everything, *but it does suggest that we
obtain what would reasonably answer our question.

But what if  Mr. Ima Really Confusingancestor and four ancestral siblings
and ten first cousins all served in the Mexican War and all got pensions?
That’s a pricey sum to obtain copies of all those records in hopes that one
provides the clue that I need. Of course, I’d obtain first the file on Ima
as it may provide good information. I might try next and get any files
where the widow lived the longest as those tend to contain more
information. I might look at any applications that were denied, contested,
or resulted in a special examiner being sent to obtain evidence as those
cases tend to have more detail.

But determining where to draw the line when I can’t afford it all–that’s
the problem.

Maybe I need a personal Genealogical Budget Standard.

We can call it Genealogical BS.

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Accuracy Versus Consistency

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It is unrealistic to expect records obtained in genealogy research to be
completely consistent. Names will be spelled a variety of ways, places of
birth will vary as to location, ages or dates of birth may suggest a
decades-long birth date. It’s human nature to occasionally be inconsistent
when providing information, especially as one ages and if the same
information is given repeatedly in a variety of documents over a series of
decades. Sometimes the variation is intentional because the person was
lying and sometimes it is unintentional because the person did not know or
did not care. The problem is compounded when informants are providing
information about people they never met or events that took place before
they were born.

And most of the time these people never dreamed that in 100 years someone
would be fretting over an age they provided in a census enumeration.

Anyone who expects complete consistency in records used for genealogy
research is going to be disappointed and frustrated. They may even wish to
pursue a new interest.

A more realistic expectation is for records to be relatively consistent.
The difficulty is that “relatively consistent” is difficult to precisely
define. Sometimes it is contextual. But a few general guidelines:

   - A person’s last name, no matter how it is spelled, should have the
   same general sound from one record to another. Knowing how the name was
   likely pronounced is key to this process.  Having a step-father, being
   adopted, getting married, etc. all can change that last name.
   - A person’s age should generally generate a ten year range of birth
   dates and usually one that is more narrow than that. Children’s ages tend
   to be more accurate than those of older adults. If the majority of records
   suggest a smaller range of years of birth, it could very well be that the
   one record suggestive of a significantly different date is simply an error.
   - A person’s place of birth should be geographically consistent and
   should also take into account changing borders and changing political
   alliances in the area where the birth took place. The probability the
   informant actually knew the information coupled with the fact that some
   people occasionally confuse “where born” with “where from” should also be
   taken into account.

Other identifying factors in the records should paint a consistent picture
as well:

   - names of parents
   - name(s) of spouse(s)
   - names of children

--------------------------
Common Name Searching at FamilySearch's Full-Text Search
Intro price of $24 ends today--regularly $40
--------------------------

*Overwhelmed by common names like Smith or Jones in your family tree? This
presentation offers advanced strategies and techniques to help you
effectively use FamilySearch's full-text search and find those elusive
ancestors. Pre-orders have been sent--email me if you did not receive. *

Download immediately before midnight 24 November (Pacific Time) for $25.
<https://michael-john-neill.dpdcart.com/cart/add?product_id=247700&method_id=270565>
After
that, $40.

*Full-Texting the Smiths and Jones:*

*Strategies for Common Names*

Using FamilySearch’s Full-Text search is easier when the name is relatively
uncommon. It’s more of a challenge when the last name is Smith, Jones,
Brown, or something similarly common. In this presentation, we will look at
approaches to maximize the chance you find that common-named person. No
approach is full-proof and we will not be so brazen to guarantee success.
No genealogist should ever do that.

What we will do is help give you some ideas and techniques to give you a
better shot at finding your commonly named person. We can lead you through
some examples and give you some ideas to modify to search for your own
people. *We will assume you’ve got an understanding of how full-text search
works*. This presentation will not cover the basics of using the full-text
search functionality of FamilySearch (you can watch our first presentation
for that—nearly two hours and an extensive handout
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2025/09/05/fully-utilizing-full-text-search/>
).

The Smith-Jones presentation will cover:

*Identifying all the key elements* that distinguish your ancestor from
others. Your ancestor is more than a name. Crafting as detailed an
ancestral profile as possible facilitates the construction of effective
searches and we will see how to elicit as many of those details as possible
from records you already have.

*Organizing a search strategy.* Making certain all relevant search
combinations have been searched is key to maximizing the chance you find
your commonly named ancestor. We will see how to create your own forms and
outlines to do just that.

*Tracking Results to Problem-Solve.* Searching for common names requires
the researcher to be as methodological as possible to make certain all
options have been considered. It is impossible to determine if all
effective means of search were used if negative results tracking is not
done.

*The Name’s the Thing.* Last names such as Bird, Lake, and Farmer have
their own issues as well. We will see some approaches that can help locate
these names.

*Case Studies*. We will look at sample case studies common-named persons.

*Please note*: *We can’t guarantee success*. What we can do is help to give
you tools to increase your chances of success with common names.

 Order for immediate download at $25
<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HQM8799ZLWSQS>.
Regular price after 24 November will be $40.
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Holiday Sale on Genealogy Consultations--Save $40--limited space left
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Need some guidance with your research, but don't need a class, don't need
to hire a researcher for $1000 or more?

Just need someone to look at what you have and give you ideas on what to do
next?

That's exactly what a genealogy consultation is for and we're having a sale
on ours for the Holiday Season.

Save $40! We are offering a limited number of consultations at this reduced
price--normal price is $140.

More details about our consultations are available at:
https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/consultations-with-michael/

Space at this reduced rate is limited!

Reserve your consultation today. Scheduling takes place after registration,
but we are still booking in December!

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NotebookLM Webinar
-----------------------------------

Easily create audio and video overviews, mind maps, reports, quizzes,
infographics, and slide decks from your uploaded family or personal
narratives, genealogy documents, and the like. You can also have NotebookLM
 integrate multiple documents into one summary. There are limitations to
it. NotebookLM is not perfect by a long shot, but it may give you insight
into your own research and cause you to notice something you had not
noticed before. The visuals it creates can help interest others in family
history as well.

More details--including registration information at intro rate--at
https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2025/11/24/notebooklm-at-google/

Michael
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