Exploring Documents
At first glance, a researcher is thrilled to find
a document with new information on it; however, caution should be used right
from the start. There is great value in
understanding the “background” of a document.
Why was the document originally created?
Understanding foundational clues about a document will aid in analyzing
and utilizing the facts found on the document.
Understanding
WHY the document was created will help separate primary information from
secondary information. For example, a
death certificate is created to certify the date and place of death, however it
usually lists a birth date. The death
certificate is the primary source for the death date and a secondary source for
the birth date. Did the document record
a church event, or was the document mandated by the government? Was the document created by a witness to an
event; for example a journal entry or a memoir?
If
you have an index, transcription, or summary of a record then you do not have
the complete document and full information from the original. Many historical and genealogical societies
index and compile their society’s information, allowing researchers to quickly
find facts for their ancestors. This
allows researchers access to the society’s collections.
Was
the document created at the time of the event, before the event, or after the
event and how long after the event was it created? Birth certificates are created a short time
after a child’s birth; however, there are “delayed birth certificates” which
may be created years--twenty or thirty years--after the birth. A marriage license and marriage banns are
created before the marriage ceremony itself takes place; meaning, just because
a license was issued or application was filled out, or the banns were read,
does not necessarily mean the marriage ever took place. Some marriage applications were filled out
and licenses were obtained, but the ceremony was never performed and the required
paperwork was never returned to the clerk’s office.
Understanding
why a document or source was created helps researchers recognize the value of
the evidence contained therein.
TYPES:
|
WHY was the document created?
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indexes
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To
easily locate the original document or entry—saves time. Created by an indexer who gathered the
information and usually transcribed the data.
Created any time after the event.
|
transcriptions/
compilations
|
To abridge a group of original
documents—saves space and time.
Created by an author who organized the information and transcribed the
data. Created any time after the
event.
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certificates
|
Required
and created by government or church.
Usually contains signature of a witness to the event, or the
officiator of the event. Maybe copies
of the original documents, applications, and licenses, or they may be
re-entered onto a certificate form with entry information. Usually created at
or near the time the event occurred.
|
newspaper
articles
|
To
announce or recount an event, or newsworthy item. Printed near the time of the original
event.
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histories
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Chronicles
events and stories in various forms:
written, audio, and video; usually from memory for posterity. Usually recorded much later than the
original event occurred.
|
journal
|
Record
of life events, stories and views from personal knowledge or witness to
events for personal purpose. May be
written at the time of the event or recalled at a later date.
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