Recently, I joined a Zoom meeting with approximately 40 other genealogists to discuss “proof in genealogy research,” exploring concepts like proof of kinship and evaluating evidence. The conversation reinforced a fundamental point: proving that what you find actually applies to your ancestor is important for building an accurate family tree and documenting the details that make up each person’s life story.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of proof so that you can write about your family with confidence.
Genealogy is more than collecting names. It’s about finding evidence that supports each connection you make. That’s where the idea of “proof” comes in. Proof gives your research reliability. It’s how you know you’ve got it right (and how others can trust your work too.)
What Is the Genealogical Proof Standard?
As a professional genealogist, I uphold high standards in my research and writing by applying the Genealogical Proof Standard, or GPS, to my work. It is the foundation for good genealogy. Think of it as a checklist for reliable research. The Board for Certification of Genealogists created it, but it’s something every family historian should use.
Here are the five parts of the GPS:
- Reasonably exhaustive research
You’ve looked in all the relevant places like census records, vital records, land, probate, newspapers, and more that can answer your research question. You’ve also emphasized original records. - Complete and accurate source citations
You can show exactly where each piece of information came from. Don’t forget to include your negative searches so that you don’t repeat a search in the future. For more, read my blog post, “How To Make Genealogy Source Citations Easy.” - Analysis and correlation of the evidence
You’ve studied the evidence and made sense of how it all fits together (or doesn’t.) Compare each new piece of evidence to what you’ve already found and correlate it. - Resolution of conflicting evidence
If two records say different things, you don’t ignore it; you explain it. The explanation makes your work credible. In this step, avoid common myths, such as “my ancestor’s name was changed at Ellis Island.” - A soundly reasoned, written conclusion
You write down what you found and how you reached your conclusion. Writing is a key step in this process. For more, read my blog post, “7 Reasons To Stop Your Genealogy Research and Write.”
Following the GPS helps you avoid mistakes and build a tree you can rely on. It also helps future researchers understand what you did and may even build upon your work.
For the remainder of this blog post, we’ll focus on the final aspect of the GPS: writing a soundly reasoned conclusion.
So, What Is a “Proof”?
According to Thomas W. Jones, author of Mastering Genealogical Proof, “proof exists … only in writing. It requires a written and documented fact, statement, or explanation…”1 Here are the ways we do that:
1. Proof Statement
A proof statement is short and simple. You use it when the evidence is clear and direct. When you have a credible piece of direct evidence from a reliable source, you can write one sentence that provides “proof.” You could have more than one piece of evidence that provides this same information.
Example:
“Mary Jones was born on 10 March 1885 in Portland, Maine, according to her birth certificate from the Maine Vital Records Office.”
That’s it. There is no need for anything longer, because the record answers the question directly. As long as there are no conflicts, a proof statement can be used.
2. Proof Summary
A proof summary is a little more involved. You use this when you have several sources that all agree, and you want to show how they support your conclusion.
It’s still fairly short, maybe a few paragraphs. You’ll cite each source and explain what it says. This format is helpful when the answer isn’t written out clearly in one place, but the records all point in the same direction. Or when you do have direct evidence of an event or identity and want to explain them all.
You could have easily explained conflicts in a proof summary.
Example: For my Zoom meeting, I used the marriage of my 2x great-grandparents, John Dunahoo and Sarah Churchman, as an example of a proof summary. I found credible evidence in a marriage license, marriage register entry, 1900 census, and John’s Civil War pension file. Plus, the 1860 census lists them as living near each other.
John Dunahoo didn’t have to look far for a wife; Sarah Churchman was living in his neighborhood in July 1860. By October of that year, they were married. Multiple sources confirm their marriage date as 18 October 1860, in Grainger County, Tennessee: a marriage license, register entry, and John’s own testimony in a pension questionnaire. The 1900 census shows both reporting 39 years of marriage, which agrees with the 1860 date. John’s sworn statement in the government pension document provides reliable confirmation of his marriage to Sarah Adeline Churchman. It also provides Sarah’s middle name, which was not found anywhere else.
This is a simple paragraph tying all the pieces of evidence together. There were no conflicts in this case, but if there were, I would have explained them.
3. Proof Argument
A proof argument is the most detailed. You use it when the evidence is complicated or when the sources don’t agree.
- Maybe there are two men with the same name in the same town.
- Perhaps your ancestor’s birth record was never created.
- Maybe you need to piece together an ancestor’s story from indirect clues.
A proof argument walks the reader through your entire thought process. It can be one page or several. You’ll explain the research, show the conflicts, and describe how you resolved them. This is often used in articles, books, or professional reports. Case studies are typically proof arguments and are found in genealogical journals. For more on this, read “Case Studies: A Powerful Way To Learn Genealogy.”
Example: I wrote a proof argument for my ProGen Study Group, which I submitted to the Bucks County [Pennsylvania] Genealogical Society Newsletter in March 2023. You can read that HERE.
Why Does This Matter?
If you’ve ever added someone to your tree and later realized they weren’t related, you know how easy it is to make errors. Proof keeps that from happening.
Here’s what solid proof does:
- Helps you avoid mistakes
- Builds trust in your research
- Makes your work useful to others
- Saves time in the long run
- Leaves a legacy of quality work for future generations
You don’t need to be a professional to use these ideas. Anyone doing genealogy can apply the Genealogical Proof Standard. It’s just about being careful, thoughtful, and thorough.
Finally
Genealogy is detective work. You’re gathering clues and building a case. Without proof, your tree is more like a house of cards. But with good research and solid conclusions, it becomes a story you can be proud to share.
If you’re not sure where to start, try writing a simple proof statement for one of your ancestors. Then move on to summaries and arguments as your questions get more complex. It’s a great way to sharpen your skills and strengthen your tree.
Genealogy tip: Once you’ve written proof for a fact in your online tree, add it as a comment in Ancestry or the Collaborate or Memories section of FamilySearch. This allows others to see the work you’ve put into accurately building your tree.
If you’re having trouble piecing together your ancestor’s life, give me a call. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes is all you need to move forward in your research.
1 Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Proof (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 2013), page 83. To purchase this book, you can find it at the National Genealogical Society or Amazon.
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