RootsTech 2013 Teachings

One of the great presentations at RootsTech 2013 was one by Kory L. Meyerink, "Evaluating Databases & Overcoming Their Errors." Here is what Kory said, "Databases are the life-blood of today's genealogists. But, like any other record, they have errors and limitations, but those are often hidden due to the number of names they have. Size also makes it hard to evaluate the value of the information they contain. Here are the secrets and tactics you need to understand and use all the genealogical databases better."

Kory then posed some questions:  What is the nature of the index or database? What is the origin of the index or database?  What is the origin of the information in the index or database? What is the status of the index or database (is it active or static)?

The main question a user should be asking is where did they get that data? Is it from existing data? original records? previously published? newly published? compiled data? new data? previous research by others? government records?

Kory ended his presentation by giving us a "test" by which we can test an index or database. Take information you have already documented and look it up in the index or database. Is all the information there? Is it a match? What does that tell you?

RootsTech 2014 will be 6-7-8 February; Miriam Robbins and I  plan to be among the 5000 folks jamming downtown Salt Lake City and the Convention Center to be in attendance! Might you consider joining us?

Donna