My Guiding Principles
Searching for truth through evidence, analysis, and intellectual honesty
Genealogy is more than collecting names. For me, it is the disciplined pursuit of understanding people, families, and relationships as faithfully as the surviving evidence allows.
These guiding principles are not intended as rules for others to follow. They are the standards I strive to hold myself to in my own research and teaching. By sharing them publicly, I hope prospective clients, students, and fellow researchers will better understand how I approach genealogical research. Just as importantly, writing them down reminds me of the standards I hope never to lose sight of. They are a commitment rather than a destination.
Pursue the Truth
Genealogy is a search for the true relationships, identities, and stories of those who came before us. Absolute certainty is not always possible, but careful research can bring us ever closer to the truth.
Evidence Earns Confidence
Every conclusion should be supported by evidence. Family stories, published books, and online family trees can all provide valuable clues, but none should be accepted without evaluation.
Share Your Work
Genealogy advances when researchers share their work openly and document it thoroughly. Clear citations and transparent reasoning allow others to verify conclusions, build upon them, and avoid repeating the same research.
Respect Different Journeys
People pursue genealogy for many different reasons. Some simply enjoy discovering names and connections. Others seek documented proof or deeper historical understanding. Every journey is valid. At the same time, evidence deserves respect, especially when it challenges long-held assumptions or family traditions.
Help Other Become Better Researchers
Knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared. Whether through teaching, presentations, discussion groups, or individual conversations, I believe experienced researchers have a responsibility to help others develop the skills needed to evaluate evidence and think critically.
My goal is not simply to build family trees, but to help build a genealogy community that values evidence, transparency, collaboration, and lifelong learning.