Genealogical Evidence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship and Family History [Paperback]

Noel C. Stevenson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0894121596 | ISBN-13: 978-0894121593 | Publication Date: June 1989 | Edition: Revised

This book is a classic in genealogical literature. Filled with abundant legal citations and case histories, the text provides a wealth of valuable information concerning genealogical matters, including legitimacy, illegitimacy, marriage, birth, death, age, and identity. Also included are suggestions regarding locating critical facts and examples of those types of evidence necessary to prove or disprove matters which concern pedigree, heirship, inheritance, and will contests. In her column "Kinsearching," Marleta Childs says, "Genealogical Evidence is a must for every genealogical collection." It is an invaluable aid for genealogists, librarians, record searchers, historians, biographers, and lawyers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 233 pages
• Publisher: Aegean Park Pr; Revised edition (June 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894121596
• ISBN-13: 978-0894121593
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #909,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My favorite resource for assessing genealogical info, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Genealogical Evidence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship and Family History (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must have" for your genealogy how-to shelf, June 24, 2007

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Genealogical Evidence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship and Family History (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best genealogical books I've read!, July 11, 2005

By 

Vincent E. Vizachero (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Genealogical Evidence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship and Family History (Paperback)

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.