On May 8th the members of the TriCity Genealogical Society finally
got to enjoy the sequel to January’s topic “Become a Better Genealogist”.
Margie Beldin, as the TriCity Genealogical Society Education Chairperson, didn’t
disappoint those that waited for the conclusion of her first presentation.
I personally appreciated Margie’s idea of a Genealogy
Toolbox. Margie opened her toolbox and showed us some fascinating tools that
will help us be better genealogists. Her toolbox was full of Internet links,
library book call numbers, and electronic documents organized in an easy to
find fashion that could be used to research family history. She encouraged
everyone to create their own toolbox and fill it with the tools that she
shared. She also taught us how to pack our toolbox for easy transportation by
introducing the idea of online cloud storage.
Another juicy tidbit that I’ve munched on since Margie’s
presentation was a principle I had never heard of before, but could immediately
accept. This was the principle of Occam’s Razor. The Skeptic’s Dictionary at skepdic.com defines Occam’s Razor as “plurality should
not be posited without necessity”. Margie broke this down for us and explained
it simply. Our ancestors typically took the easiest path to go from one point
of their life to the next.
The FAN Principle as introduced to the genealogical arena by
Elizabeth Shown Mills is another principle that Margie shared. The FAN
Principle encourages family history researchers to investigate the lives of
Friends/Family, Acquaintances, and Neighbors to enhance our research on our
ancestors. No one, not even our ancestors, lived in a glass bubble.
Margie wrapped these ideas, and more, into the Genealogical
Proof Standard. By using this standard we can analyze data that we collect.
1. Reasonably exhaustive search
2. Complete and accurate citation of sources
3. Analysis and correlation of the collected information
4. Resolution of conflicting evidence
5. Soundly reasoned,
coherently written conclusion
After giving us these important theories, principles, and
standards to consider, Margie encouraged everyone to evaluate, record, and
write our findings.
Does that sound like a “packed full of information”
presentation? It was. Not a person in the room was able to leave without tucking
something away in their pocket for further investigation later. We had so much
to ponder. Margie delivered all of this with class and poise that has been
developed over years of providing information packed presentations. When I left
the presentation I felt that I had truly experienced a treat and was encouraged
to become a better genealogist.
