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Mythology vs Genealogy
Posted by Ferna Lary FernaLary@aol.com
on Wed, 14 Mar 2001, in response to Across My Desk 3/14/01, posted by Myrt :) on Wed, 14 Mar 2001
Genealogy is proven family history.
Mythology is not.
With all the data available today, 98% of it is Mythology. That doesn't mean it's not great information, it just means it's not factually proven. It is, however, an excellent source to use to give you some idea of where to check for "proven" facts, especially when you're confronted with a brick wall. It's just that the "true genealogist" should remember to keep it separate from "proven" facts.
Recently, I used information off of a tombstone as the birth date of one of my family members, thinking this was a "proven" record. However, after researching SSDI and birth records, I discovered the birth year was off by one year. The SSDI and the birth certificate both agreed she was born in 1905, however, her headstone has engraved in stone "1906".
In that same vein, her parents listed on the death certificate were also incorrect. Yes, at times even the death certificate can be wrong when you consider that the "informant" giving the information is doing so under duress and without benefit of "legal forms" in front of them. In many cases, the informant is the second or third spouse, and their knowledge of the deceased's ancestry may be quite vague.
The best tool a genealogist can have is an "inquiring eye" when it comes to any and all data. IGI records, PAF files, GEDCOM's and family histories are only as good as the researcher who put them together. It doesn't mean they don't include valuable research information, because more often than not this information will help you find another hole to dig around in or another location to research that you hadn't thought of before. But remember it's "Mythology" until you prove it.
What constitutes "proven" fact? My definition of "proven" (just going by my experience) are facts that are documented in numerous records that remain the same throughout, or facts documented in Court records, marriage licenses, probate records, and such. But even then, you have to keep that "inquiring eye".
My father's birth certificate says he was born November 19, 1926. Is this a proven fact? Maybe. Maybe not. According to him, he was born on November 13, 1926 and was so premature the doctor said he wouldn't live and that there was no need to complete a birth certificate or to give him a name. Supposedly when the doctor came around again 6 days later and saw him "still kicking" he decided they better name him. Then he completed a birth certificate. Mythology or Genealogy?
Since this story seemed to be true, he weighed only 3 pounds at birth, born to a mother in her late forties, and since his brothers and sisters corroborated the story, I took it as fact. So much so, that when he died, I had the Nov. 13th birthdate put on his headstone. Many years from now, when future genealogists of my family search back and find his birth certificate with Nov. 19th and his headstone with Nov. 13th, what will they think? Hopefully they will use an "inquiring eye". Hopefully I'll have left a trail wide enough for them to follow.
On my first trip to the Family History Center in my hometown, the man running the center gave me a tour of the place. At the beginning of his tour, he pointed to the hundreds of FTM files all on CD and said, "Most of this is Mythology." Then he pointed to the microfilm cabinets and said, "Some of that is mythology, some is genealogy. It's up to you to decipher the truth."
I've been researching seriously now for six years and have seen a lot of mythology and a little of genealogy. The main thing I have noted is that ALL of the mythology has a purpose, in that it has led me to find what genealogy I have actually found. So don't disregard it as useless because it isn't, and I'm so eternally
grateful for the millions of hours folks have put into posting their information for all to see. Just be sure to keep that "inquiring eye" open for real proof.
DearFERNA,
VERY well said, kiddo! Wish more folks could put things into perspective as you have done in this e-mail. It seems that volunteer at the local LDS Family History Center got you off to a good start! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Daily Genealogy Columnist
AOL Keywords: roots or myrtle
www.DearMYRTLE.com
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