To Err is Human – Especially in Genealogy!

April 1, 2006

Do you know that they existed but you just can’t find them? Or do you absolutely know that they lived in a specific area but they don’t show up on any census or land records? What you may be dealing with is a pesky transposition (or transcription) error or the inability of the transcriptionist to read illegible handwriting. It’s easy to forget that the handy online databases available to genealogists today were transcribed by humans from original documents, or even copies of original documents, in order to create a usable resource. When reviewing these online databases, the genealogist must be aware of the possibility of mistakes that can often occur in the process.

The time commitment and dedication given by these transcribers to any online project is incalculable. But they often face insurmountable obstacles in reading or entering information from these documents: The original script may be illegible due to the poor handwriting of the individual and/or the change in letter formation over the years. The original documents may be faded. The only copy of the information may be a replica of the original because of the fragile nature of the original, creating “first cause” errors. Or, as in many immigrant or census records, the record taker did not hear the name, date, or place correctly. The chance for mistakes, therefore, increases with each version.

For example: I had always heard that, in 1930, my father and his 3 siblings lived in Grays Harbor County, Washington. I searched the census records for Grays Harbor County, along with other Washington State counties’ census records, for over 1.5 years and still came up empty-handed. I finally located his family in the 1930 Grays Harbor County census after doing a search for one of his sisters’ first names only. As it turned out, their last name of “kroetch” had been spelled as ‘krvatch’ in the online database. After viewing the census taker’s handwriting on the original document, it was a wonder to me that the transcriber could read even one or two letters of the name!

I have often seen the age of 74 become 79, an 1859 birth year become 1895, the letter “r” in a last name become an “e”, and the name “Juanita” spelled as “Wannetta”. The permutations are endless and if you become wedded to the supposedly exact nature of the records you research, you will overlook some very valuable data. In order to verify your research, you must be flexible about precise spellings, dates, and even locations. Since no single data source can be taken as the authoritative word on your research, collecting information from many records will eventually give you the best picture.

We are very fortunate to have dedicated individuals who take the time and make the effort to get information to us via the internet. It is amazing that these folks can find and even read some of these original documents. When I find variations or deviations in an online database and I have verification of the correct information, I notify the database owner so the information can be amended for other, later researchers.

Remember: To err is human. If the genealogist keeps this in mind and varies the parameters when doing research, perhaps a brick wall or two will come tumbling down!