“It takes three sources to make a fact.”
~ Old Genealogy Adage
And other important things to remember about a family tree.
1. Any name spelled with a C can often be found with a K or even Ch.
2. Mc is often interchangeable with Mac.
3. While searching try adding an ‘E’ to then end of it! Or try taking the 'E' off the end.
4. Remember that names are flexible! Christine can be Tina. Catherine can be Kate, Katie or Cathy. Mary is Marie. Margaret can be Maggie, Margie, Peggy or Joan (don’t ask me) Charlotte can be Lottie or even Charlie sometimes. Charles can be Charlie or Chuck. Any man might be a Junior. Any sister may be Sissy. And if a Margaret can be a Peggy or Joan - ANYTHING GOES!
5. Don’t even get me started on nicknames (some of the more interesting nicnames in my extended family are Weewee, Hoodjie, and Pookie)
6. Many family members prefer to go by their middle names. In my family some have tried to change or eliminate their middle names. For record keeping I usually try to stick to the name their parents put on the birth certificate or baptismal certificate.
8. People providing information for death certificates and obituaries are usually in a state of shock and mourning so strongly that they confuse details. These records are least reliable. This also goes for cemetery records.
9. The Latter Day Saints website often has the year transcribed off by 1 year. Always look for confirmation of an original image. Some of my McNeil ancestors have been said to do this also. (a child is one year old when born?)
10. Some people just don’t tell the truth about their age. In my case it’s practically a family tradition!
11. A 2nd (or 3rd) husband or wife does not mean they were divorced. A death of a spouse will also be a reason for a name change.
12. Even when our ancestors appear to have done something we would not approve of our children doing we love and honor them anyway.
~ Old Genealogy Adage
And other important things to remember about a family tree.
1. Any name spelled with a C can often be found with a K or even Ch.
2. Mc is often interchangeable with Mac.
3. While searching try adding an ‘E’ to then end of it! Or try taking the 'E' off the end.
4. Remember that names are flexible! Christine can be Tina. Catherine can be Kate, Katie or Cathy. Mary is Marie. Margaret can be Maggie, Margie, Peggy or Joan (don’t ask me) Charlotte can be Lottie or even Charlie sometimes. Charles can be Charlie or Chuck. Any man might be a Junior. Any sister may be Sissy. And if a Margaret can be a Peggy or Joan - ANYTHING GOES!
5. Don’t even get me started on nicknames (some of the more interesting nicnames in my extended family are Weewee, Hoodjie, and Pookie)
6. Many family members prefer to go by their middle names. In my family some have tried to change or eliminate their middle names. For record keeping I usually try to stick to the name their parents put on the birth certificate or baptismal certificate.
8. People providing information for death certificates and obituaries are usually in a state of shock and mourning so strongly that they confuse details. These records are least reliable. This also goes for cemetery records.
9. The Latter Day Saints website often has the year transcribed off by 1 year. Always look for confirmation of an original image. Some of my McNeil ancestors have been said to do this also. (a child is one year old when born?)
10. Some people just don’t tell the truth about their age. In my case it’s practically a family tradition!
11. A 2nd (or 3rd) husband or wife does not mean they were divorced. A death of a spouse will also be a reason for a name change.
12. Even when our ancestors appear to have done something we would not approve of our children doing we love and honor them anyway.