- Paperback: 233 pages
- Publisher: Aegean Park Press; Revised edition (Jun 1989)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0894121596
- ISBN-13: 978-0894121593
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 13.9 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,026,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has become one of my most-used genealogical helpers. It discusses the broad categories of genealogical source info (census, will, land record, newspaper articles, etc.) and comments on the qualities to look for to judge just how reliable the document is. I notched my review from five stars down to four only because the terminology used ventures into tricky-to-follow "legalese" in a few places.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful
My favorite resource for assessing genealogical info
4 Dec 1998
Format:Paperback
This book has become one of my most-used genealogical helpers. It discusses the broad categories of genealogical source info (census, will, land record, newspaper articles, etc.) and comments on the qualities to look for to judge just how reliable the document is. I notched my review from five stars down to four only because the terminology used ventures into tricky-to-follow "legalese" in a few places.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A "must have" for your genealogy how-to shelf
24 Jun 2007
Format:Paperback
Stevenson was not only a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, he was also an attorney with a national reputation in techniques in cross-examination and evaluation of legal evidence. In this volume, he brings all those skills together to create an authoritative text in the examination and evaluation of legal, historical, and genealogical information, a codification of proper methods. He begins with the application of family research in probate and heirship cases, since that's where the stuff that we do and what lawyers do most often impinge on one another. Under "Hazards, Risks, and Remedies," he discusses paternity and legitimacy, the problem of surnames and of proving identity (as opposed to descent), and the special problems of claims to noble lineage and false pedigrees. Then he examines the class of records that are "official and public": vital records (how accurate are they, really?), irregular and common law marriages, civil and criminal court records, land records, and the federal census. Then come "unofficial" records, including published family histories, church records, Bible records, monuments and memorials (especially in cemeteries), and newspaper articles and notices. Finally, he provides as astute but very readable semi-technical guide to the rules of evidence and hearsay. There's also a very good glossary of genealogical and legal terminology the researcher needs to know. Throughout, Stevenson includes synopses of illustrative law cases, research checklists, and his own informed opinions on the published work of other experts. This is the sort of book many researchers acquire with the best of intentions -- you can find it for sale in the book dealers' room at any regional or national conference -- but then it often sits on the shelf unopened because the Table of Contents seems intimidating. Trust me: It's a pretty easy read and it will definitely enable you to think more clearly the next time you have to decide whether and how far to believe a newly uncovered piece of data.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
One of the best genealogical books I've read!
11 July 2005
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I heartily recommend this book to any budding genealogists, and encourage them to read it sooner rather than later.
Stevenon's book is a compelling, if a bit dense, challenge to genealogists to be sure that what they claim can be substantiated witha preponderance of evidence. By emphasizing quality over quantity, and with view towards the standards of proof demanded by courts, Stevenson gives his readers the tools to produce credible and reliable genealogies.
Stevenson suggests to his readers that the distinction between professional and amateur is much less important than the difference between compentent and incompetent, and he will show you how to tell one from the other.
This is certainly one of the five best, and most important, genealogy books ever written. Following the advice contained herein will ensure that most genealogists will avoid the mistakes that are all too common in most family trees.
Stevenon's book is a compelling, if a bit dense, challenge to genealogists to be sure that what they claim can be substantiated witha preponderance of evidence. By emphasizing quality over quantity, and with view towards the standards of proof demanded by courts, Stevenson gives his readers the tools to produce credible and reliable genealogies.
Stevenson suggests to his readers that the distinction between professional and amateur is much less important than the difference between compentent and incompetent, and he will show you how to tell one from the other.
This is certainly one of the five best, and most important, genealogy books ever written. Following the advice contained herein will ensure that most genealogists will avoid the mistakes that are all too common in most family trees.
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