The best way to reduce the risk of inaccuracy and mistakes is to have at least 2 documents corroborating each other. This is okay if the evidences tell the same thing the dates are the same; the names are the same; and the places are the same. But what if the evidence found from one source tells a story different from another? Does this mean that the old data is true and the new, unreliable? Not necessary. It only means that you have to re-examine each data found and single out which is the accurate one. Resolving conflicting genealogy records is not that hard. All you need to do is to focus your attention to your sources and ask the following questions:
How near is the source from the original data?
The records found on many genealogy sources could have come from the original record. But the proximity of the source from the original data may vary from one site to another. This is especially true to genealogy websites. Some sites might have taken their data directly from the original records. Others might have taken their data from another source which took its records from the original source. Sources that are closer to the original records are more accurate.
What do others say about the source?
The most credible source of accurate data is the official record. However, if your source is a database or a published book, use the internet to check for comments of previous users on that particular source. This is very useful if you want to identify the sources with a large number of inconsistencies.
Does the document appear altered in any way?
Tampering of official documents is not a normal occurrence. Still, there is a possibility that it can happen. Look for different handwriting that was added after the original print was made.
Was the there a time gap between the actual event and the time where the record was created?
An ancestor’s grave may not have a tombstone until some years ago. A family bible may have been written in one sitting. A record of birth may have been issued several years after the actual birth. These are the things you should watch out for. Time gaps are a good venue for error. And the longer the records are created from the time when the event happened, the greater the possibility of errors is.
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