Chapter 5 Homework

Chapter 5 GPS Element 3:  Analysis and Correlation    Homework:  Molly McKinley


Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Proof (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 2013). [Book available from the publisher at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/mastering_genealogical_proof , also available
in Kindle format through Amazon.com] Jones, Thomas W. (2013-12-04). Mastering Genealogical Proof (Kindle Locations 598-599). National Genealogical Society, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

GPS Element 3: Analysis and Correlation answers:

To keep from infringing on Dr. Jones’ copyright I will answer the questions using one of my own record citations.

This is the marriage license of my great uncle Thomas Lafayette Hames:

("Florida Marriages, 1830-1993," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:23CN-R1L : accessed 3 June 2015), Thomas L Hames and Katharine L Feuchter, 16 May 1942; citing Marion, Florida, United States, county courthouses, Florida; FHL microfilm 1,872,211.)  

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:23CN-R1L

Questions	Answers	Explanation
Is the source authored work, original record or derivative record?	Original (digital image)	Marriage certificate produced by the state of Florida
Who is the informant?	Thomas L Hames, Katharine Feuchter and Judge D.R. Smith	The judge stated his actions, the other two would have given their own name, etc.
Is it primary, secondary of indeterminable?	Primary	It is an  image of the original document
Does it provide direct, indirect or negative evidence?	Direct
Why was this source created?	To certify the marriage of Thomas Hames and Katharine Feutcher took place legally in the state of Florida
Was there a time lapse between the date of the event and the source’s creation?	No
Was the record keeper careful?	Yes
Was the source open to challenge, verification or correction?	No
Was the source protected from bias, fraud or tampering?	Yes
Was the informant reliable as both observer and reporter, or did they show potential for bias or other factors that would affect reliability?	Yes
After answering the questions above, how useful is this source to provide evidence?	Yes	The information provided is a legal document, used to prove a marriage in the state of Florida
[questions are based faithfully from the questions on location 1442/3958 of the Kindle version of the book, so that the answers would be true to the book’s quest]