So, at the risk of asking a stupid question... The surety level is a rating of how well you think the source document supports the data? Not a rating of how accurate you think the source document is. Like: I'm positive this census listing proves my grandfather is the son of these people, but I'm only reasonably sure the age of my grandfather in the listing was enumerated OR I'm pretty sure the birth place of my grandfather's father is enumerated incorrectly...? The census IS the census... surety=4, but some data on it is inaccurate, while others are accurate but don't for sure prove my relationship...? Just wondering out loud, because I think I have used the surety level in different ways at different times. (eek!) Please DO feel free to point me to someplace that explains this field's use, since I probably have not read it. ;) Thanks, --Paula
--- On Wed, 7/8/09, Jenny M Benson <ge...@cedarbank.me.uk> wrote: > Connie Sheets wrote > > Personally, I think it is a very bad idea to link > people in your database until you have obtained solid direct > evidence of a relationship, or you have completed a > "reasonably exhaustive search" so that you can construct a > proof argument using indirect evidence. (It's more > complicated than that, but that is the basic guideline I > use). > > Surely this is where the Surety Level field of Source > Citations comes in? > > If you evidence is largely circumstantial, use a 0 or 1 > rating; if you think it is somewhat stronger then use a 2. > > Exactly what level is used rather depends on personal > evaluation of the Source - what might be considered level 4 > proof by one person might only be rated 3 by another. > Some people, probably you Connie, would not link anyone in > their family file unless the evidence rated at least a 3. > > Personally, I would enter everyone in who I had "an > interest" but not link anyone where the evidence rated 0. > > Other people looking at my data can not only see my sources > and judge their value for themselves, but can also see how > much confidence I had in them - that is, when I remember to > adjust that field! > -- Jenny M Benson Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
