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.
Add to book club
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club?
Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Flip to back
Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
OK
Genealogical Evidence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship and Family History Paperback – June 1, 1989
by
Noel C. Stevenson
(Author)
|
Noel C. Stevenson
(Author)
Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
See search results for this author
|
-
Print length233 pages
-
LanguageEnglish
-
PublisherAegean Park Pr
-
Publication dateJune 1, 1989
-
Dimensions5.5 x 0.75 x 9 inches
-
ISBN-100894121596
-
ISBN-13978-0894121593
Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
-
Apple
-
Android
-
Windows Phone
-
Android
|
Download to your computer
|
Kindle Cloud Reader
|
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Genealogy Standards Second Edition RevisedBoard for Certification of GenealogistsPaperback$17.99$17.99+ $35.48 shippingIn Stock.
The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 4th EditionPaperback$49.95$49.95+ $35.48 shippingIn Stock.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical TreasuresChristine RosePaperback$21.95$21.95+ $15.48 shippingOnly 9 left in stock (more on the way).
The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic GenealogyPaperback$22.99$22.99+ $35.48 shippingIn Stock.
Genealogy Standards Second Edition RevisedBoard for Certification of GenealogistsPaperback$17.99$17.99+ $35.48 shippingIn Stock.
Women and the Law of Property in Early America (Studies in Legal History)Paperback$39.95$39.95+ $35.48 shippingIn Stock.
The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 4th EditionPaperback$49.95$49.95+ $35.48 shippingIn Stock.
Product details
- Publisher : Aegean Park Pr; Revised edition (June 1, 1989)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 233 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0894121596
- ISBN-13 : 978-0894121593
- Item Weight : 10.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.75 x 9 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#1,785,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,855 in Historical Study Reference (Books)
- #2,308 in History Encyclopedias
- #102,777 in American History
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
2.9 out of 5 stars
2.9 out of 5
5 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2005
Verified Purchase
15 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2008
Verified Purchase
Genealogical Evidence is not an easy read. It was written by a lawyer who is a certified genealogist, and the writing style resembles what one often encounters in a legal brief. However, the content is eye-opening for would-be genealogists or for those who are simply curious about their ancestry. The chapter entitled "Identity" explodes a lot of myths about surnames and points out that between 1607 and 1840 many immigrants arrived in America without a surname (they simply picked one upon arrival, given that surnames were expected in America). There are also helpful chapters on the derivation of surnames, claims of royal lineage, and heraldry. For a variety of reasons outlined in the book, it is exceedingly rare for anyone to be able to trace their ancestry earlier than 1600. After reading this book, one comes to realize that much of what passes for genealogical research is guesswork and conjecture. All in all, the book is a good addition to anyone's genealogical reference library.
11 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2007
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 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2007
A book that tells the difference between 1st source of evidence verses secondary. This is the only book, I was able to evaluate family pages found in the Bible. A Well written book.
7 people found this helpful
Report abuse


