Documents, Dates & Evidence
Read, compare and organise family records without turning one document into a final conclusion.
Take this guide on its own, or follow the complete beginner path from the first tree to a documented research log.
This guide
Documents, Dates & Evidence — Organise Records Without Losing the Story
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The Genealogy Starter Collection
- The First Family TreeTHE TREE
- The Family Interview WorkbookTHE INTERVIEW
- Documents, Dates & EvidenceTHE EVIDENCE
- The Genealogy Research LogTHE LOG
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Organise Records Without Losing the Story
Read, compare and organise family records without turning one document into a final conclusion.
Learn what a source can tell you, what it cannot prove and how to compare names, dates and places before adding a conclusion to your family tree.
An official-looking document can still contain a spelling error, an estimated age or information supplied years after an event. Good genealogy begins by asking who created the record, when it was created and what the document actually says.
Documents, Dates & Evidence introduces civil and family records in plain language. Learn how to read names carefully, compare dates and places, handle conflicting details and cite the exact source you used.
The guide will not tell you that one record solves every question. It gives you a repeatable way to compare evidence and explain why a conclusion is reasonable—or why the question remains open.
Six things this guide teaches you.
- Recognise different kinds of source material.
- Read names, dates and places in context.
- Separate written information from inference.
- Compare records that disagree.
- Record a clear source citation.
- File paper and digital copies consistently.
Eight chapters, in the order you will use them.
- 01What Counts as a Source?page 4
- 02Civil and Family Recordspage 12
- 03Read Names with Carepage 24
- 04Read a Record in Contextpage 36
- 05Compare Dates and Placespage 48
- 06Resolve Conflicting Detailspage 58
- 07Cite What You Usedpage 68
- 08File Paper and Digital Copiespage 78
Page numbers refer to the planned 84-page edition.
Clear pages for careful research.
Each guide combines concise explanations with worksheets, source questions, visual frameworks and examples.
The cover
The contents pages
A sample page
A sample page shows the editorial style of the guide. It is not the complete ebook.
Is this the right guide for you?
Beginners who have collected certificates, photographs, letters or online record images and need a reliable way to evaluate them.
No previous genealogy or archival experience is needed. Record what is confirmed, what is still possible and where each detail came from.
Before you begin.
Are these suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The guides assume no previous genealogy or archival experience.
Are these physical books?
No. Every product is a digital PDF. Nothing will be shipped.
Do the guides include access to genealogy databases?
No. Database subscriptions and record fees are not included. Availability and pricing vary by provider and country.
Will the guides find my ancestors for me?
No. They teach a process for organising information, evaluating sources and planning your own research.
Can one document prove a relationship?
Sometimes a document provides strong evidence, but conclusions should be based on its context and compared with other relevant sources when possible.
Should I publish information about living relatives?
Treat living people’s information carefully. Ask permission before publishing private or sensitive details and follow the laws and platform rules that apply to you.
How long is Documents, Dates & Evidence?
The planned length is 84 pages, arranged in eight chapters. The contents image on this page shows that plan.
Can I print the worksheets?
Yes, for personal use. The files may not be resold, redistributed or shared publicly.
How do I receive my ebook?
After successful payment, access is provided through the store’s configured digital-delivery process.
What is the refund policy?
Digital products are covered by the store’s refund policy, shown in full before checkout. Please read it on the policy page linked in the footer.
The rest of the series.
This is a digital PDF ebook. No physical item will be shipped. Access is provided through the store’s configured digital-delivery process after successful payment. For personal use only; redistribution and resale are not permitted.