When I first began doing genealogy research, I took an online course and did a lot of reading on research strategies and on the importance of building a family tree that is based on verified, irrefutable evidence. I found that it is far too easy to expand your family tree very quickly but with many errors. You can build a beautiful family tree, but if it is built on unverified evidence, the whole thing can come tumbling down like a house of cards. I have had to backtrack several times and delete people from my tree, and it can be heartbreaking.
One of the ways to evaluate and verify information is to look at it from different perspectives. I have studied maps, created spreadsheets, made lists, written timelines, looked at local history, compared notes with other researchers, and visited places in person. A timeline especially can be helpful in determining information that does not make sense. It is through a timeline that I recently discovered a major error. I had been relying heavily on a source that was not reliable. Now, I must regroup and reevaluate everything that I have presumed thus far. It is quite humbling.
Truth is the Holy Grail!
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