Proof Arguments – How to Write Them and Why They Matter

A genealogist's goal is to establish identity and prove relationships; complex evidence is the ONLY way to do this. Follow a case study of clues from multiple sources to solve a problem.

Genealogists love to research, but writing it up – not so much. First, we need to read good writing (any kind). Then, practice writing in two separate compartments: write as it comes, and return later to fix or edit. Don’t worry about beginnings or endings; they will emerge over time....

Can you really 'prove' a female line when, for four straight generations, absolutely no document identifies a parent or sibling? Does the challenge seem hopeless when courthouses are burned and an illegitimacy is rumored? This session will demonstrate how to use three critical tools: (1) the FAN Principle to build…

The literary world condemns most family histories as ‘fact-driven and tedious’ because they are usually little more than prose timelines. Yet the phrase ‘family history’ communicates the three ingredients needed to produce a piece of prose that is interesting to read: ‘family’ (the facts about the family), ‘history’ (the...

Learn techniques for recording and organizing your research when you're not sure if you've got the right ancestor, or when you find several people with the same name. Get ideas for easily picking up old research and sharing your findings.

Correlation is required to meet the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), but what exactly is it? How do I do it? And can it help me solve genealogical problems? We will use case studies to demonstrate how to correlate evidence to generate ideas for further research, test hypotheses, and present conclusions….

Starting one ancestor at a time is often the best way to get going with writing your family history. Learn how to craft compelling ancestor profiles from start to finish and how to effectively weave them into a larger narrative. Attendees are invited to submit a draft of a 500…

Documenting and sharing are fundamental to a genealogist’s work. Learn guidelines for preparing more informative, accurate, and useful research reports for yourself and others. The webinar shows how observing genealogical standards can improve written communication of research notes and findings. Topics include ten essential characteristics of quality reports, optional report…

Genealogical sources of all kinds contain errors, both accidental and intentional, that mislead. Standard tests expose the errors, helping researchers make correct conclusions.