tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post2850523547268032050..comments2024-03-13T21:06:16.936-04:00Comments on Olive Tree Genealogy Blog: You Can Think That if You Want but It's WrongOlive Tree Genealogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381110998759242462noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-51943051957116964262014-11-19T15:31:28.691-05:002014-11-19T15:31:28.691-05:00That happens too often. The worst part is when yo...That happens too often. The worst part is when you know you need more information on that ancestor but all they have is contrary stories to what you have. When you ask for a source they say that was the story I remember grandma said when I was a kid that her aunt told her. So 50+ year old story that has no source that for some reason is more accurate than you 10 or more sources.<br />Michael F Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05956888239131674750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-5048625292726220922010-09-26T14:45:20.217-04:002010-09-26T14:45:20.217-04:00Shasta you're absolutely correct when you say ...Shasta you're absolutely correct when you say you won't change something just because someone tells you your data is wrong - that you'd rather check the original yourself. <br /><br />That's part of my point - if a genealogist has sources (census, church records, death records, etc) that state "A" but your newfound cousin has only Aunt Martha stating "B", then Olive Tree Genealogyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02381110998759242462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-6048276665236330212010-09-26T14:37:38.240-04:002010-09-26T14:37:38.240-04:00I would look at it from my cousin's point of v...I would look at it from my cousin's point of view. First, I would acknowledge all the hard work the cousin has put into researching the genealogy all year (or however long). Don't start with a criticism, because you are knocking down their whole tree, not just one little part of it. <br /><br />Then tell them that you have conflicting information. Maybe they can contact their Shelina (formerly known as Shasta)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03290945204269323129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-37091669972414852772010-09-18T18:57:43.004-04:002010-09-18T18:57:43.004-04:00I'm a little late coming to this posting but f...I'm a little late coming to this posting but found it interesting. I have had the same type of emails and my response usually has been, "yeah I know that was what I started with but the documents proved that theory wrong." To date it has worked pretty well for me. Most of the new found cousins are ok with the new info....Of course if they're not they can go eat worms! ;)gensearchdebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05007273108314789315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-63997041224526924852010-09-14T14:47:03.902-04:002010-09-14T14:47:03.902-04:00Lorine, thank you for posing this problem. In gen...Lorine, thank you for posing this problem. In general my "last word" when folks are not susceptible to logic is the substance of your headline.<br /><br />As others have noted, people's beliefs are often not susceptible to evidence to the contrary.<br /><br />As Nancy just noted, one approach could be to ask the cousin if she asked Aunt Martha why she thought so, and to note that Geoloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12050268303916428230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-87702587722283962842010-09-14T10:46:57.044-04:002010-09-14T10:46:57.044-04:00Yup, I had contact with a relation who said her co...Yup, I had contact with a relation who said her common ancestor jumped ship, and was not the Civil War vet that I said he was. When asked, I just pointed out that I had birth records, veteran records, etc. <br /><br />Similarly, I had a living relative who told me that we were descended from a fellow named Cable. Years later, I found that his name was Caleb. Simple thing, but similar process;Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-54497037392855078622010-09-13T23:56:12.807-04:002010-09-13T23:56:12.807-04:00Your readers gave some excellent responses to your...Your readers gave some excellent responses to your predicament. I've not been in this situation, but I've been on the opposite side of it.<br /><br />My father always insisted - absolutely insisted - that we were not Irish. I found another researcher of our line and, sure enough, it goes right back to Ireland in that line. I had to reconsider my thinking at that point, but I could see Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-72130576407714867472010-09-13T15:26:47.099-04:002010-09-13T15:26:47.099-04:00One of my favorite "answers" is: I can ...One of my favorite "answers" is: I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.Janice Williamshttp://janicewilliamsaustin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-4809219748719838362010-09-13T11:35:23.027-04:002010-09-13T11:35:23.027-04:00Isn't the internet great? Now we can spread b...Isn't the internet great? Now we can spread bad information faster and further.The Grandmother Herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10001005292502504358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-12789089327712793112010-09-12T21:19:49.633-04:002010-09-12T21:19:49.633-04:00I had a client once who contacted me regarding a b...I had a client once who contacted me regarding a brick wall she had, and wanted a consult on next moves. I suggested numerous record sources she had not researched which could potentially be of use. She got very irritated with me, insisting that "her grandmother told her" this, that and other things that meant consulting those records would be "a waste of time." <br /><br />InJenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03251821175075255774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-72202925620951832692010-09-12T17:39:12.654-04:002010-09-12T17:39:12.654-04:00I can so relate. I have been researching a particu...I can so relate. I have been researching a particular family for roughly 10 years. Have been trying to link up a lady by the name Matilda,and was thrilled when I made contact with descendants.<br />They believed said persons name was Sarah and I have tried until I am blue in the face that her name was Matilda. I have her birth record, marriage, burial and her listed as the parent on the child'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-2878535579157820052010-09-12T16:43:16.216-04:002010-09-12T16:43:16.216-04:00One of my standard responses is to ask the person ...One of my standard responses is to ask the person to prove their statements by using standard genealogical sources (of which Aunt Martha is not one).<br /><br />Also, I think you need to have your work out there, whether on the web or in print. Then others will have to decide whom to believe. <br /><br />I also believe in using the email blocker a great deal.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205797878738290997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-83120618371404002912010-09-12T13:10:41.656-04:002010-09-12T13:10:41.656-04:00Need to educate newbys :
1. that documented evide...Need to educate newbys :<br /><br />1. that documented evidence takes precedence over what any Cousin or aunt might have "said".<br /><br />2 Do their own research. Use what cousin Suzie says(if you do not have documented proofs on the topic) as a point to begin research to locate proofs to document it or disprove it.Marlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948589958290696816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-51356575346709900362010-09-12T13:07:56.383-04:002010-09-12T13:07:56.383-04:00Need to educate all Newebys that:
1. it is neces...Need to educate all Newebys that:<br /><br />1. it is necessary to document sources used. What some relative "says" might not be fact. <br /><br />2. What some relative or anyone else "says" can be kept in a file and /or noted that the information is only what has been passed down by an individual. This information should then be a starting point at which to do actual Marlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948589958290696816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-7884229414796486022010-09-12T12:51:03.682-04:002010-09-12T12:51:03.682-04:00I don't usually worry about this too much beca...I don't usually worry about this too much because I do have faith that there ARE other good genealogists out there like myself who WILL take the time to verify their sources and will not just believe what old Martha told them. Even the fact that this is propagated on the internet doesn't bother me too much because I won't even look at an online family tree if it doesn't have Ginger Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17453442334718861407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-61808106503677968172010-09-12T10:07:32.735-04:002010-09-12T10:07:32.735-04:00I had a researcher tell me once that we were relat...I had a researcher tell me once that we were related to "XXY" They went to the area of this ancestor found all of the "RIGHT" documents and told me they would contact me after they got back. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN. I hadn't done alot of research with this family and decided to get to the information later.<br />Well, later came, I still hadn't heard from this Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-86830602368185427312010-09-11T23:56:15.320-04:002010-09-11T23:56:15.320-04:00I, like you have been doing research for years now...I, like you have been doing research for years now. I come from very large families, on both sides. Have just recently found a cousin/s some of who are really helpful, some just take from my tree, which is didsheartning at times. You go to all the genealogy places look through countless books, microfische, and records to get information. Then you see someone has put up info that is way offbeat. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-47177555375006596622010-09-11T18:42:57.765-04:002010-09-11T18:42:57.765-04:00The one thing I would want to pass on to anyone be...The one thing I would want to pass on to anyone be they a cousin or not is that without citing recognised sources preferably at least 2 or more then anyone seroiusly looking at your research will feel that it is just a family story.<br />Any serious genealogist will always look at ways of proving or disproving what "gt aunt Martha" has told them and never rely on memory alone.Hilary Gadsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03493542134835202291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-8027093306833062182010-09-11T17:55:14.864-04:002010-09-11T17:55:14.864-04:00First off, your new cousin should have asked for y...First off, your new cousin should have asked for your sources first thing out of chute. She has to learn to keep an open mind or she will fail.<br /><br />Second, you should offer your sources, and not think of it as being defensive but rather honoring your ancestors by spreading their truth.<br /><br />Just my opinion, of course.KevinWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12700276383786258569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-56678244825644312332010-09-11T12:51:23.813-04:002010-09-11T12:51:23.813-04:00If the newer researcher sticks with it, he/she may...If the newer researcher sticks with it, he/she may figure out the research flaw(s) themselves, though perhaps sooner with a few helpful hints from the seasoned researcher. <br /><br />When I was a newer researcher, I never could convince an elderly "cousin" that my grandmother, whose birthday was July 4, 1900, could not be the sibling of Child X, who was born in May of 1900. I finallyPalmsRVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04898416117045268799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-83057037887208300062010-09-11T12:14:23.468-04:002010-09-11T12:14:23.468-04:00My thought is that you don't want them to pass...My thought is that you don't want them to pass their false information on to future generations, such as "Aunt Martha" is doing, so it is best to try to convince them they are wrong if you are certain.USNchichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09156969630455207365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-46752778303263336502010-09-11T10:50:51.736-04:002010-09-11T10:50:51.736-04:00Hi,
I have 'run into' people like this in...Hi,<br /><br />I have 'run into' people like this in my research. They are 'uneducated' and do not want to do the research. By talking to a relative they think they have the whole story. I have finally come to the conclusion that if they want to believe misinformation that is their prerogative. <br /><br />I left a note on the site of an online tree - ancestry - telling all who Patricia A. Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00986349661021133620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-15130907693739474672010-09-11T10:33:55.931-04:002010-09-11T10:33:55.931-04:00I haven't had this problem yet, but I think I ...I haven't had this problem yet, but I think I would go for the short explanation first, then if they didn't listen I'd give the long explanation, if they still say you are wrong, just shrug your shoulders and let it go.J.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09435080777088090872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-26737648616494151142010-09-11T10:06:10.613-04:002010-09-11T10:06:10.613-04:00One thing I've learned over the years is that ...One thing I've learned over the years is that it's nearly impossible to shift another person's perception. Many years ago I was corresponding with a "cousin" whose branch of the family had believed for about 50 years that we were related to President Eisenhower. Online genealogy was its infancy at that time, but it only took me a few minutes to disprove this "fact."Susan Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788283253544225956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641680.post-63481765847605363452010-09-11T09:55:07.293-04:002010-09-11T09:55:07.293-04:00I have this problem with a cousin on a line I have...I have this problem with a cousin on a line I have worked 40 years. They posted the wrong line back from the common ancestor because their mother said another local lady knew. the line is repeated a dozen times on line. I can prove it is wrong. Laid both lines out and showed them the other people were in another end of the state when ours were already dead. Showed them documentation with theAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com