Grains of Salt: Analyzing Sources, Information & Evidence
Genealogists consult numerous sources in their quest for reliable research answers. It’s tempting to take what we find at face value, but sources are not created equal, and the information they provide is not always what it seems. Anyone can master the basic concepts of sources, information, and evidence; and anyone can learn to effectively analyze research results for reliability, credibility, and relevance. Don’t let mistaken assumptions lead you astray. Learn to be skeptical! Source independence and diversity, combined with thorough analysis, are keys to dependable research results.

Speaker:  Alice Hoyt Veen, a sixth-generation Iowan, has been a dedicated family historian for more than thirty-five years. She is a Board-certified genealogist, professional researcher, and educator. She founded Prairie Roots Research in 2010 to provide reliable, source-cited research solutions for family historians seeking superior results.  She takes pleasure in sharing her knowledge through educational writing and speaking.

 

 

As your family tree grows larger and more complex, you may find that in-depth analysis will help you solve "brick walls", find and correct errors, and help you become more organized in your research.  Some useful tools you can create by using Excel® include:

• Pre-1850 Census records with Surnames and numbers
• Post-1850 Census records with communities
• Research Logs
• DNA Analysis
• Citation Trackers
• Cemetery Analysis
• Tax Record Analysis
• Land Record Analysis
• And lots more!

In this presentation, we will walk through how to build several tools in Excel® and populate them with data from your GEDCOM or external sources.