Evaluating Records: Just Because the Name Matches That Doesn't Mean the Record Matches

 I may have addressed this topic a few years ago, but it is worth revisiting. Especially since the topic continues to rear it's ugly head.

Far too many people conduct a search for an ancestor and attach nearly every record/source that matches the person's name. They show disregard for just about every red flag imaginable: chronology, geography, family, vital records, and just about any other source imaginable.

Let's use a fictitious couple to demonstrate the point: 

James Thomas Mackay - born 12 March 1754 Berkeley Co., South Carolina died 8 June 1836 Jefferson Co., Indiana. James married Elizabeth "Betsy" Callahan on 15 April 1778 in Camden District, South Carolina - born 19 October 1758 Augusta Co., Virginia - died 11 February 1841 Jefferson Co., Indiana. James and Betsy had five children: Matthew [1779-1844], Sarah [1782-1831], James Jr. [1784-1853], Elizabeth [1787-1862] and Shelby [1789-1866]. Matthew, Sarah and James were born in Camden District, SC. Elizabeth and Shelby were born in Mason Co., Kentucky.

The Mackay family left Berkeley Co., SC for Camden in 1773. The Callahans settled in Camden in 1775. James moved to Mason Co., KY in 1786 and finally settled in Jefferson Co., IN in 1808.

Matthew married Deborah Stevens [1780-1837] in 1799 Mason Co., KY. Both died in Madison Co., IN.

Sarah married Jacob Bonner [1773-1806] in 1800 Mason Co., KY; then married Alex MacDonald [1781-1856] in 1809 in Jefferson Co., IN. Bonner died in Mason Co., KY, Sarah in Jefferson Co., IN, MacDonald in Delaware Co., IN.

James Jr. married Sally Innis [1785-1854] in 1805 in Mason Co., KY. Both died Morgan Co., IN.

Elizabeth married Amos Karl [1770-1830] as his 2nd wife in 1804 in Mason Co., KY. She never remarried. Both died in Jefferson Co., IN.

Shelby married Ann Cassidy [1792-1877] in 1811 Jefferson Co., IN. Shelby died in Marion Co., IN and Ann died in Hendricks Co., IN.

There we have our family. What records and sources logically fit James, Betsy and their family? To add to the suspense, in tomorrow's post I'll look at census, land and vital records that may or may not fit the Mackay family.