Genealogical Standards & Guidelines
Standards
For Sound Genealogical Research
Recommended by the National Genealogical
Society
Remembering always that they are engaged in a quest for
truth, family history researchers consistently:
- record the source for each item of information they
collect.
- test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence, and
reject those that are not supported by the evidence.
- seek original records, or reproduced images of them when there
is reasonable assurance they have not been altered, as the basis
for their research conclusions.
- use compilations, communications and published works, whether
paper or electronic, primarily for their value as guides to
locating the original records.
- state something as a fact only when it is supported by
convincing evidence, and identify the evidence when communicating
the fact to others.
- limit with words like "probable" or "possible" any statement
that is based on less than convincing evidence, and state the
reasons for concluding that it is probable or possible.
- avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or
carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information.
- state carefully and honestly the results of their own
research, and acknowledge all use of other researchers' work.
- recognize the collegial nature of genealogical research by
making their work available to others through publication, or by
placing copies in appropriate libraries or repositories, and by
welcoming critical comment.
- consider with open minds new evidence or the comments of
others on their work and the conclusions they have reached.
©1997 by National Genealogical Society.
Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is
reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.
- Standards For Using Records
Repositories And Libraries
- Recommended by the National Genealogical
Society
Recognizing that how they use unique original records and fragile
publications will affect other users, both current and future, family
history researchers habitually:
- are courteous to research facility personnel and other
researchers, and respect the staff's other daily tasks, not
expecting the records custodian to listen to their family
histories nor provide constant or immediate attention.
- dress appropriately, converse with others in a low voice, and
supervise children appropriately.
- do their homework in advance, know what is available and what
they need, and avoid ever asking for "everything" on their
ancestors.
- use only designated work space areas, respect off-limits
areas, and request permission before using photocopy or microform
equipment, asking for assistance if needed.
- treat original records at all times with great respect and
work with only a few records at a time, recognizing that they are
irreplaceable and that each user must help preserve them for
future use.
- treat books with care, never forcing their spines, and handle
photographs properly, preferably wearing archival gloves.
- never mark, mutilate, rearrange, relocate, or remove from the
repository any original, printed, microform, or electronic
document or artifact.
- use only procedures prescribed by the repository for noting
corrections to any errors or omissions found in published works,
never marking the work itself.
- keep note-taking paper or other objects from covering records
or books, and avoid placing any pressure upon them, particularly
with a pencil or pen.
- use only the method specifically designated for identifying
records for duplication, avoiding use of paper clips, adhesive
notes, or other means not approved by the facility, unless
instructed otherwise, replace volumes and files in their proper
locations, before departure, thank the records custodians for
their courtesy in making the materials available.
- follow the rules of the records repository without protest,
even if they have changed since a previous visit or differ from
those of another facility.
©1997 by National Genealogical Society;
includes material ©1995 by Joy Reisinger, CGRSSM. Both copyright
owners grant permission to copy or publish these standards, provided
they are reproduced in their entirety, including this
notice.
- Standards
For Use Of Technology In Genealogical Research
- Recommended by the National Genealogical
Society
Mindful that computers are tools, genealogists take full
responsibility for their work, and therefore they:
- learn the capabilities and limits of their equipment and
software, and use them only when they are the most appropriate
tools for a purpose.
- refuse to let computer software automatically embellish their
work.
- treat compiled information from on-line sources or digital
data bases like that from other published sources, useful
primarily as a guide to locating original records, but not as
evidence for a conclusion or assertion.
- accept digital images or enhancements of an original record as
a satisfactory substitute for the original only when there is
reasonable assurance that the image accurately reproduces the
unaltered original.
- cite sources for data obtained on-line or from digital media
with the same care that is appropriate for sources on paper and
other traditional media, and enter data into a digital database
only when its source can remain associated with it.
- always cite the sources for information or data posted on-line
or sent to others, naming the author of a digital file as its
immediate source, while crediting original sources cited within
the file.
- preserve the integrity of their own data bases by evaluating
the reliability of downloaded data before incorporating it into
their own files.
- provide, whenever they alter data received in digital form, a
description of the change that will accompany the altered data
whenever it is shared with others.
- actively oppose the proliferation of error, rumor and fraud by
personally verifying or correcting information, or noting it as
unverified, before passing it on to others.
- treat people on-line as courteously and civilly as they would
treat them face-to-face, not separated by networks and
anonymity.
- accept that technology has not changed the principles of
genealogical research, only some of the procedures.
©1997 by National Genealogical Society.
Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is
reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.
- Standards
For Sharing Information With Others
- Recommended by the National Genealogical
Society
Conscious of the fact that sharing information or data with
others, whether through speech, documents or electronic media, is
essential to family history research and that it needs continuing
support and encouragement, responsible family historians
consistently:
- respect the restrictions on sharing information that arise
from the rights of another as an author, originator or compiler;
as a living private person; or as a party to a mutual
agreement.
- observe meticulously the legal rights of copyright owners,
copying or distributing any part of their works only with their
permission, or to the limited extent specifically allowed under
the law's "fair use" exceptions.
- identify the sources for all ideas, information and data from
others, and the form in which they were received, recognizing that
the unattributed use of another's intellectual work is
plagiarism.
- respect the authorship rights of senders of letters,
electronic mail and data files, forwarding or disseminating them
further only with the sender's permission.
- inform people who provide information about their families as
to the ways it may be used, observing any conditions they impose
and respecting any reservations they may express regarding the use
of particular items.
- require some evidence of consent before assuming that living
people are agreeable to further sharing of information about
themselves.
- convey personal identifying information about living
people--like age, home address, occupation or activities--only in
ways that those concerned have expressly agreed to.
- recognize that legal rights of privacy may limit the extent to
which information from publicly available sources may be further
used, disseminated or published.
- communicate no information to others that is known to be
false, or without making reasonable efforts to determine its
truth, particularly information that may be derogatory.
- are sensitive to the hurt that revelations of criminal,
immoral, bizarre or irresponsible behavior may bring to family
members.
©2000 by National Genealogical Society.
Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is
reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.
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