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Methodology and Skills

Proving Identity: Not Matching Names

Robyn Smith
Jan 12, 2023
2.9K views
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Syllabus
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Content

Play. Playing.
Welcome
1m 34s
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Speaker's Introduction
1m 31s
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Introduction
17m 38s
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Beginning Advice
5m 58s
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Matilda Case Study
6m 41s
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James Holt Case Study
17m 06s
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Reason Prather Case Study
11m 40s
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Announcements / prizes
8m 18s
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Questions / answers
18m 56s

About this webinar

Genealogy records are full of people living in the same place with the same name. How can you discern which one refers to your ancestor? We can’t rely on just names; we’ve got to prove identity. In this lecture, Robyn explains the concept and provides guidelines to ensure that we don’t confuse our ancestor with others in the community.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Robyn Smith
Robyn Smith has been researching her family and others for over twenty-five years. She specializes in court and land records, genealogy skill building, and slavery research. A respected speaker in the field, Robyn has lectured widely at genealogy
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  1. KM
    Kirsten Max
    2 years ago

    This is by far one of the best webinars that I have attended! The information was laid out clearly and was easy to follow. It will really help with my extended family that is full of Catherines, Nicholases, Annas and Michaels! And lots of intermarried families! Thank you Robyn!

    Reply
  2. LH
    Louann Holmes
    2 years ago

    Very informative. Well-organized and useful tips.

    Reply
  3. TB
    Tina Bierhalter
    2 years ago

    Thank you for an informative webinar on how to find the exact person in the exact place of family tree lineage. My husband and I both have numerous persons in our trees with the same name, first and last. And even a woman who married two different men with the exact name, who turned out to be cousins.

    Reply
  4. GH
    Gail Helgeson
    2 years ago

    Great webinar! Such a thorough look at the process of sorting out and proving who is your actual ancestor. Robyn is an excellent speaker, engaging, quick moving and full of information and encouragement. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. DC
    Donna Cary
    2 years ago

    A subject I don’t easily gravitate to in research because it creates too much comparative/contrast decisions to make in discerning who is who. But Ms. Smith was able to point out several incidences where the decision is easier when using her methods of writing it down before coming to a conclusion. I certainly learned a thing or two to help.

    Reply
  6. MK
    MaryElla Kennedy
    2 years ago

    Enjoyed her prints showing how she came to conclusions, also suggesting putting maps with the information. Her tables were helpful. Totally a great webinar to help solve the problem of people with the same name. Mary Ella Kennedy

    Reply
  7. JH
    Jackie Horvath
    2 years ago

    Good information and well presented. It was a helpful presentation.

    Reply
  8. RT
    Rosalia Teran
    2 years ago

    Webinar very much appreciated! I have several ancestors with the identical names and the ages are within 5 years apart but I don’t know if it is the same person or not. I now have ideas on how to determine whether I should claim them as my own.

    Reply
Show all comments

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