Nicole and Diana open the episode by discussing what they are currently working on, including their projects for the 14-day challenge. They then turn to the challenge of family history research when conflicting dates appear for an ancestor. Diana explains that because original records may not exist, genealogists must rely on sources created later in a person’s life, which often do not agree.
Diana uses a case study of her relative, Mary Elizabeth (Royston) Slagle, to show how to analyze and correlate evidence to find the most accurate birth date. They examine numerous records for Mary, starting with several U.S. census records from 1840 to 1910, which provide conflicting birth years. They discuss the value of the marriage bond for Mary’s 1855 marriage to Joseph Slagle, analyzing why her father acting as surety does not prove she was underage in this specific Alabama instance. Finally, they look at conflicting death records—a newspaper obituary, death certificate, and gravestone—which offer yet more dates. By correlating all the evidence, including Thomas Beverly Royston’s residency and land records, Diana concludes that the most reliable birth date is May 4, 1835, in DeKalb County, Alabama. Listeners learn to carefully analyze each piece of evidence, its informant, and its reliability to reach a sound genealogical conclusion.
This summary was generated by Google Gemini.
Links
When Birthdates Don’t Agree: Analyzing and Correlating Evidence – https://familylocket.com/when-birthdates-dont-agree-analyzing-and-correlating-evidence/
Sponsor – Newspapers.com
For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code “FamilyLocket” at checkout.
Research Like a Pro Resources
Airtable Universe – Nicole’s Airtable Templates – https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer
Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference – by Nicole Dyer – https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/
Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com – https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d
14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook – digital – https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound – https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/
Research Like a Pro Webinar Series – monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence – https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/
Research Like a Pro eCourse – independent study course – https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/
RLP Study Group – upcoming group and email notification list – https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/
Research Like a Pro Institute Courses – https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/
Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources
Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin – https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx
Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse – independent study course – https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/
RLP with DNA Study Group – upcoming group and email notification list – https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/
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