Correcting Genealogy Errors

The Internet provides us with many new opportunities. Perhaps the most exciting capability it allows is that people can share information they discover and even update details as soon as they are available (e.g., Wikipedia. We are now able to read about almost everything and learn the small details even insignificant issues and events. The flip side of this benefit is that errors can often quickly become "facts" when they reach the web.

If you think about it, it doesn't take the Internet for made-up stories to morph into the truth. Even before the 'Net provided a viral opportunity to spread inaccurate information as fact, there were paper records that propogated errors - often with as much finality. A great example of this recently came to light, when an amateur historian determined that Union soldiers were inadvertantly buried in a Confederate Cemetery. The story shows how errors became "fact" - and were chiseled in stone for good measure.

The news story portrays a situation that hasn't been completely resolved. While the correct flags can now be placed near the cemetery stones on Memorial Day, it will take additional effort to solve the problem made when those brave men were buried. The metaphor of stone-carved mistakes works almost the same way with the Web - it may be difficult and time consuming to correct the error. Unfortunately, except for one "stone," there are thousands of virtual replicas in the "Ether" that can't simply be erased or re-chiseled.

A great article about the different types of errors that affect genealogists (recordation, transcription and misinformation) can be found at Archives.com. The first one is usually beyond the control of people conducting research in the Twenty First Century (like the story above). The last two - incorrect digital transcribing and spreading false family stories as "fact" - are definitely within the control of our generation. We need to always be vigilant that we do not contribute mistakes to the pool of genealogy data.

So, what it if you discover mistakes that have made their way into the category of "the truth"? For starters, it will take a lot of work to fix them. Don't let that deter you, though! Locating the errors online may be the easy part, but you need to look at righting wrongs as a worthwhile pursuit - one step at a time. One useful guide to making corrections in Internet genealogy databases can be found at Genealogy.com.

You should be committed to the pursuit of genealogy "truth" (as best as we can know it) - for your own family and the records that are located in the area where you live. Always assure your notes indicate uncertainties and unknowns - and add them to other works whenever possible. Happy hunting!