Analyze Your Findings

Key points and insights

“Analyzing Your Findings” is a comprehensive webinar from “Genealogy Guys Learn” that offers invaluable guidance for both novice and experienced genealogists on how to effectively manage and interpret the vast amount of information encountered in family history research. George G. Morgan emphasizes the critical process of moving beyond simple data collection to thoughtful analysis, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of genealogical discoveries. The webinar underscores that genealogical evidence comes in diverse forms, from original documents and digitized records to oral histories and online databases, all of which require careful scrutiny. It highlights the importance of scholarly research steps, urging researchers to be thorough and to investigate as many resources as possible to accurately document ancestors’ lives.

Key takeaways from the webinar include:

• The paramount importance of source citations and verification: Researchers must personally verify all information, understand the origin and quality of each piece of evidence (whether original, derived, primary, or secondary), and meticulously cite sources to enable retracing steps and assessing data quality. This includes recognizing that multiple secondary or derivative sources do not equate to a primary source, and the goal should always be to locate the original whenever possible.
• The necessity of thorough analysis and hypothesis testing: Genealogists are encouraged to act like investigative reporters, reading all information in its entirety without making assumptions, comparing different types of evidence, identifying discrepancies or agreements, and developing and testing hypotheses based on their findings. This iterative process often reveals answers to long-standing research challenges.
• Placing ancestors in context: Beyond isolated facts, it is crucial to understand an ancestor’s life within its geographical, historical, and social contexts. This involves researching historical accounts of the areas they lived in, understanding migration patterns, and identifying their “fan club” (friends, associates, and neighbors) to uncover additional clues and fully comprehend their lives.

To delve deeper into these essential strategies and enhance your genealogical practice, consider viewing the full “Analyzing Your Findings” webinar. It provides a structured approach to evidence management and interpretation that can significantly improve the accuracy and richness of your family history research. Further valuable resources and methodologies are also available in the accompanying syllabus, offering additional pathways to genealogical success.