Research Tips and Tricks

Inferential Genealogy

Today we will be discussing the use of

inferential reasoning to solve difficult

genealogical problems

infer1. v.t. To derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence2. To indicate or involve as a conclusion; lead to3. To hint, imply, suggest4. To guess, speculate, surmise5. v.i., To draw a conclusion, as by reasoninginference1. n. The act or process of inferring2. That which is inferred3. logic. a. The process of deriving the strict logical consequences of assumed premises b. the process of arriving at some conclusion which, though it is not logically derivable from the assumed premises, possesses some degree of probability relative to the premises c. A proposition reached by the process of infrerence

inferentialadj. Of, pertaining to, by, or dependent upon inference

We will discuss the piecing together of knowledge

from different records to discern knowledge that no other record contains by itself (rather like putting

together a puzzle to see a picture that no individual piece of the puzzle can

give us).

This presentation is based upon a course in inferential genealogy given by Tom Jones that can be accessed in FamilySearch.org

Go to FamilySearch.org, click on Learn (at the top of the page),

then under the Research Courses heading click on View the

Courses. Then type inferential genealogy in the search box, then

click on Search. You should get the following screen:

Now click on either the icon or the title to get

to the course.

Even when we have data from records that we may think of as pretty

unimpeachable, e.g., census, birth, death, marriage, etc., it is possible that one of your ancestors may have provided false

information, either accidentally or intentionally. Or, the person recording the data may have misheard or miswritten the

information (sometimes days, or weeks, after the data were initially provided).

We take great risk when we accept data at face value.

However, if we can find records to compare – and they indicate the

same information, we can be more confident of our conclusions.

Even if you don’t find a record that specifically identifies your ancestor, you can still identify that person if you can get enough pieces of the

puzzle.

I II III IV VIV

Collect Data From As Many Sources As Possible

IIIIII

IVVVI

Look for Data Overlap

Tom Jones’ Five Steps of Inferential Genealogy

IStart with a focused goalWithout a goal, your research will be scattered and disorganized, making it

hard to pull out evidence

IISearch broadly

We don’t want to miss any records or research that will give us useful

information

IIIUnderstand the record

If we don’t understand them, we won’t get the information for which we are

looking.

IVCorrelate the evidence

See what the similarities and differences are

VWrite down your results

We have an obligation to our family, and to other researchers, to provide information about which

they may not know

A personal case study

From Ancestry.comMcCune-Warwick Family Tree

From Ancestry.com

From Ancestry.com

From Ancestry.comJames L. Lowary Family Tree

Proof of marriageOne of the most progressive farmers of Marion township, Boone county, who has proven his ability to succeed unaided under existing conditions, is Rufus Conrad, who was born in Clay township, Hamilton County, August 26, 1860. He is a son of Martin and Phereba (Bishop) Conrad, the father born in Forsyth county, North Carolina, in 1819, and the mother was born in Edinburg, Indiana, in 1832. It was in 1834 that the father of our subject came to Clay township, Hamilton county, with his parents, Daniel and Johanna (Lineback) Conrad. However, they had spent the preceding winter in Boone county. The grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania and the grandmother was born in North Carolina. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Joseph and Mary (Denidger) Bishop, and were both natives of Tennessee, from which state they came to Indiana in an early day. Both grandfathers entered land from the government and here established their future homes. Martin Conrad, mentioned above, established his home after his marriage on a farm on the line of Hamilton and Boone county, and a year later he purchased a farm of his father in Hamilton county. He first married Julianne Carter, and spent ten years in merchandizing in Indianapolis, but after his second marriage followed farming, but moved to Zionsville three different times, spending a year there each time. He was in the grocery business there about three years. His death occurred in 1897. His widow surviving until 1900. He had two children by his first wife and eight by his second.

David Bishop’s WillIn the name of the blessed God, Amen I will and bequeath to my wife, Elizabeth Bishop ten dollars, andher bed and furniture and ___I will and bequeath to my youngest son Oliver Bishop the plantation that I now live on which is one hundred and forty acres, also the two Gray Mares and two Cows and Calves ___ heifers, his choice also nine head of hogs his choice – also a saddle and bridle – also his choice of two Rifle Guns also all of the household furniture – also all of my clothing – also two choice Plows and two pair of gear – one ___ hoe and hattock – also two hundred bushels of corn – also all of the wheat and rye also thirty dollars in money – I will and bequeath that my wife Elizabeth should come and live with my youngest son Oliver Bishop to take care of his Mother - out of his portion during her life or Widowhood if she sees Proper to live with him – I also will and bequeath all of the balance of my Property and land should be sold – and equally divided amongst the balance of my children – Nancy – My Son Steven Bishop – also my son Joseph Bishop – also my Son Loony Bishop also My Son David Bishop – also my Daughter Amelia Burks – I also will and bequeath that my son Steven Bishop - and William West be my Administrators – This I testify to be my last will and Testament – In witness of which I have set my hadn and seal – this 18th of August 1830.

I. BishopIsaiah Starkey) David Bishop seal

State of Tennessee) October Sessions of Pleas and quarter sessions – in and for Warren County – on the fourth day of said month AD 1830.This the last will and Testament of David Bishop deceased was Produced in open Court and offered for Probate – Whereupon I. Bishop and Isaiah Starkey came in to court and Made oath that they saw the said David Bishop sign, seal and Publish the same as his last Will and TestamentWhereupon the Court appointed Thomas Parls and William West Administrators of all and singular the goods and chattels ____ and Credits of said David Bishop Deceased With the will annex’d Who entered into bond with security – and took the oath Presented by law where upon the court ordered that letters of Administration Issue to the said Thomas Parls and William West with the will annex’d

Given under my hand at office 4th day of October AD 1830 (Jos. Colville CLK(by L. Colville DC Warren Co. The will Book I page 60-61 Date Will 18 Aug 1830 probate 4 Oct 1830

From Ancestry.comEvans Family Tree