The problem is not really with the records themselves but a matter of how researchers use the records. Though I would say that software or data architects do contribute to the problem with their structuring of information.
When we are presented with the results of a record search on a site like Ancestry.com we typically see three levels of information:
(For lack of any official terms I'll use these)
1) Index View
2) Record View
3) Image View
The trouble is that each view or level of information contains different details. If a researcher is not careful and relies too heavily on the information in Index View or Record View then they could be missing critical information that could further their research or solve their brick wall.
Let's run through an example to illustrate what I am talking about.
1) Index View
If I want to search for a passport application for Calista (Brace) Bigelow then I will head directly for the U.S. Passport Applications, 1725-1925 database on Ancestry.com. When I enter Calista Bigelow into the search box I get the following result. (Click images to enlarge)
 |
| source: Ancestry.com |
There's quite a bit of information here. Enough for me to know that I have found the right person. It includes the person's name, birth date, birth location, passport issue date and residence.
2) Record View
On Ancestry.com after reviewing the Index View you have the option of reviewing the record before looking at the actual image.
 |
| source: Ancestry.com |
This is again text based information but includes additional information fields for age and whether a passport photo is included.
3) Image View
The last option we have is viewing an image of the original document. The images are longer to load, take more careful reviewing and may require reading difficult handwriting. If you are in a hurry you might stick with collecting your information from Record View.
 |
| source: Ancestry.com |
From the original image we learn that Calista Bigelow is residing at 539 North Adams Street in Chicago, Illinois. We also learn that she is 57 years old (compared with the 56 years in the record view) and that she is 5 feet 5 inches tall grey eyes and grey hair. We are also given an original signature that can be used to compare against other original signatures. And of course, we learn that she wants to go abroad "during the year." Unfortunately, she doesn't indicate her target destination. We learn that she applied for the passport on January 11, 1901. This is a full year before the passport was issued. Lastly on this page, we see that the document was witnessed by Arthur Burrage Farwell of 192 & 194 Market Street, Chicago, IL which is likely a business address.
As you can see, viewing the original provides much more information than either the Index View or the Record View. Knowing the specific address can contribute in a number of ways to solving brick walls, such as sorting this Calista Bigelow from others. It will also help encourage a thorough search of city directories.
The witness, Arthur Farwell, is a critical discovery. Too often genealogists skip over the witnesses on a document. Though Calista is from Michigan, her deceased husband, H.D.P. Bigelow was from Massachusetts just like Arthur Farwell (discovered through a quick check on the 1900 census). And a peek at Massachusetts vital records shows that H.D.P. Bigelow and Arthur Farwell grew up in neighboring towns.
Would you pursue the identity of this individual further? If I were dealing with a brick wall or doing thorough research I certainly would.
So, when looking at digital records, not only do we have to carefully determine what type of records are being presented to us (Online Digital Records, Part 1) but we need to painstakingly make sure we review all levels of information within the specific record group that we are searching to ensure that we have captured every detail that can help us in our research.
There's a lot more to online research than you would imagine!
If you are in a hurry you might stick with collecting your information from Record View.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention that. Coincidence has it that last weekend I spent some time on my Lamboo ancestral line. It's a pretty common name in the region and I used the index view to find all the people with the name Lamboo back until 1865, which I then used to build family trees. (I wrote about it in this blogpost). Without the index view, I never could have done it. There were nearly 300 names just until 1865, and the Lamboo's go back until the early 1700s. Loading the records would have taken too long. Of course, I will go back and check the relevant records of my ancestors in the image view.
Anyway, I love these posts about digital records. Not that long ago I read a post about digital records in relation to image manipulation - basically the premise was that digital records couldn't truly be trusted and our work wouldn't be trusted by future generations if we mentioned them as sources. What's your take on that?
Amen, sister! I hit a case last week where the index and the record are both correct, but misleading. Fortunately, clicking thru to the image makes everything clear. Too long for a comment...check out my GeneaJulia post for details.
ReplyDeleteGreat points! I also tend to use the indexed view to narrow down my search results. Another point about this would be to discuss saving title pages and so forth of these images. I think beginners (and those in a rush) tend to save images from the internet without any context for the whole set that may have been scanned. Goodness knows I've had to go back and collect more info after the fact on a few occasions!
ReplyDeleteI used to jump from the index view directly to the image view but have learned to check the record view to gather as much of the citing information I can. I hate having to go back and do it again when I enter the information and source into my database. I am so thankful for all of these image views!
ReplyDeleteVery good points you make Marian. I think the key is to take your time with each view. I am a visual person so I tend to lay all the views in front of me so I can compare and contrast.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the very good points in these posts. Another would be: look at the next page or two in a browsable set. Often a record (such as non-population US Census schedules) is continued in the next image.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of passport applications, the next page might be an affidavit from a parent or other relative regarding the applicant's date and place of birth -- since citizenship is a factor in obtaining a passport. And the back of passport applications often contain another person's notarized certification that the applicant is who they say they are.