Resolving Conflict: A Key to Sound Genealogical Conclusions (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)

Key points and insights

In the opening presentation of the 2025 Reisinger Lecture Series, Jennifer Zinck, CG, AG, delivers a clear and practical exploration of one of genealogy’s most vital skills—resolving conflicting evidence. Her lecture, “Recognize, Address, Resolve: Conflict Resolution in Genealogical Research,” guides researchers through the systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and reconciling conflicting information to achieve credible conclusions. Drawing from Genealogy Standards and Dr. Thomas W. Jones’s Mastering Genealogical Proof, Zinck demonstrates how disciplined reasoning and adherence to professional standards can transform confusing records into well-supported genealogical proof.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding and Evaluating Conflicts: Zinck defines the types of evidence—direct, indirect, and negative—and explains how inconsistencies often arise from transcription errors, variant spellings, name changes, or shifting jurisdictions rather than genuine contradictions. She emphasizes that objectivity and self-awareness of bias are critical to interpreting records accurately.

• Methodical Conflict Resolution: Using the framework “Recognize, Address, Resolve,” Zinck shows how genealogists can apply three reasoning strategies—lack of corroboration, evaluation of evidence quality, and plausible explanation—to determine which evidence is most reliable. She underscores that genealogical proof requires full analysis, correlation, and written explanation, reminding attendees that “you cannot have partial proof.”

• A Compelling Case Study in Action: Through the case of Jennie Thompson of West Haven, Connecticut, Zinck demonstrates how careful correlation of records—including vital, church, land, and probate documents—resolved the conflict between Jennie’s marriage and death records to confirm her father’s true identity as George W. Thompson, not Samuel. The study highlights how contextual knowledge—such as boundary changes and informant reliability—plays a decisive role in resolving genealogical discrepancies.

Zinck’s engaging and methodical presentation reinforces that conflict in genealogy is not a setback but an opportunity for deeper understanding. She reminds researchers that unresolved conflicts can undermine entire family lines and that meticulous evidence evaluation is essential for lasting accuracy. Her approachable style, combined with practical tools such as conflict checklists and examples of sound reasoning, offers both inspiration and actionable guidance.

To gain the full benefit of Zinck’s techniques and see her step-by-step conflict resolution in practice, viewers are encouraged to watch the complete webinar. The session provides indispensable insights for genealogists seeking to elevate their analytical rigor and produce defensible conclusions. Attendees should also explore the syllabus and recommended resources, which include key genealogical standards, research guides, and reference works—valuable tools for mastering conflict analysis and strengthening every proof argument.