How to Prove Your Family History - Genealogical Proof Standard (Quick Genealogy Tip #26)

In this quick genealogy tip I discuss the Genealogical Proof Standard, a system to measure the plausibility of a genealogical conclusion. Another way to see it is the standard to judge proof of a genealogical conclusion.There are 5 points to the genealogical proof standard;

1. Reasonably Exhaustive Research
2. Complete and Accurate Source Citations
3. Test Evidence Through Analysis and Correlation
4. Resolution of Conflicting Evidence
5. Well Reasoned Conclusion

The Board for Certification of Genealogists also created Genealogy Standards for documenting, researching, writing, and continuing education which they published in a book titled Genealogy Standards. For anyone who is looking at becoming a professional genealogist, this book along with a few others are essential to have.

1.Genealogy Standards by the Board for Certification of Genealogists -

Read my blog "Sephardic Genealogy"

Please like and subscribe!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to help support this channel?

Many of the following links are affiliate links and if you buy something through those links we receive a small commission. It doesn't cost you anymore but by purchasing through these links you can help support this channel!

Join Ancestry to learn more about your family history or

Buy a DNA test

Equipment Used for Video -

Recommended Books

Find Books about Genealogy on Amazon

Genealogy research

[sparkyranger]

Great!  So much faulty lineage information is out there.  It is good to see some standards for proof.

[jeremiahdavisj]

Thanks for the imformation provided in the video.

[jeanjohnson]

Great information you have provided. I wish you would talk about families that came to the British colonies in the 1600s. I actually only have one ancestor that came to the British colonies after 1700, in 1755 (Highland Scots). I think there are unique challenges to those of us who are descended from the British and European colonists to the British colonies prior to about 1700, many in the 1600s. I have found so many instances of cousins marrying cousins. What do you suggest for those of us whose ancestors came in the 1600s and early 1700s, as colonists, not immigrants? Part of the problem with Ancestry DNA, which I have taken, is that it cannot tell us where in the UK (other than Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and Northwestern Europe) my family lines are from. I only have genetic communities in the Carolinas and Louisiana, because most of my ancestors moved further South from Virginia, PA, and New England. Do you think taking my Heritage DNA test would lead to specific locations such as Cornwall, etc.? My brother is going to take the family tree Y-DNA test (and also use the results for the Family Surname Projects for several of my family lines) and I will take the maternal X DNA test.

[healthyliving]

Awesome video, I would love to see a video on identifying an unknown mother or father with DNA alone.

[tjwhite]

What are the standards for proof, when any given connection between one generation and the next has absolutely zero documentary evidence to support it, and relies only on DNA evidence? Second question: what if that DNA evidence is overwhelmingly compelling and conclusive, and admits of no other plausible, likely, or even possible conclusion? How does one publicly *prove* this, to professional standards, without violating any privacy rights of the genetic cousin matches whose data constitutes the "proof"? Thanks in advance. 👍