The End?

It’s all wrapped up in a pretty bow – a phrase we often use to indicate that a project is complete, with all loose ends tied up. The fifth element of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion that eliminates the possibility that the conclusion is based on bias, preconception, or inadequate appreciation of the evidence. It also shows or explains how the evidence leads to a conclusion. - Genealogy Standards, Second Edition (Nashville, Tennessee: Ancestry.com, 2019), 3.

Just as with scientific research, reporting of findings is crucial for the genealogical research process. Why wouldn’t we want to report our findings in written form? It’s the culmination of all of our hard work. The Ta-Da moment.

Online trees are notorious for providing little evidence, such as one or two census records, to state a conclusion of relationship. Or, some trees provide a list of documents without an explanation as to how each relates to the other. It’s not enough to provide a list of sources/documents that are used in reaching our conclusion. It is our responsibility as researchers to explain why and how each source is used in forming a conclusion.

I recently completed research and documentation for ancestors who were participants in the American Revolution. There is a world of difference between telling people that my seventh great grandfather is Richard Bailey, and putting “pen to paper,” visually illustrating the lineage between myself and Richard. The lineage can be read here . (Note that living people and personal information have been marked “private” due to its online publication)

Several footnotes in the report refer to research reports. A report of interest documents my sixth great grandmother’s relationship with Richard Bailey – she was his daughter. The report can be read here.

Due to time constraints or other limitations, we are often unable to complete full research on a subject and/or form a conclusion. Even so, we as researchers need to pen the research we have conducted, determine if additional research is warranted, and if so, construct a plan for future research.

The Genealogical Proof Standard is one of the reasons I fell in love with genealogy. I hope this post, and my last four posts illustrating the application of the GPS, will help and inspire your future research.