What’s a researcher to do?
When I first started researching, my grandma – who had been the sole family historian up to that point – told me that my great-grandfather had been born in Gallia Co., Ohio. It made sense, and seeing that grandma had been doing this for decades via “old-school” methods (traveling and researching on-site or sending for records through the mail), I took her at her word on that little fact. Two years later, I found a birth record from the state of West Virginia showing where my great-grandfather was born in Huntington. I showed it to grandma, even made her a copy for her own records. She continued to believe that he had been born in Ohio, however, and I have yet to find a definitive answer since discovering that great-grandpa has a birth record in both states, Ohio and West Virginia.
Fast forward a few years, and grandma and I were comparing notes again. Looking at my record for my 4th great-grandmother, Susannah Karnes, she promptly exclaimed, “That wasn’t her name! Her maiden name was ‘HOUCK’, and not ‘KARNES’.” I tried to explain that everything I had found, pointed in the direction that she was the daughter of George Karnes, I have a record of the marriage bond, and a land transfer record that points in that precise direction, and…
“No. Her maiden name was ‘HOUCK'”.
So what is a researcher to do, when someone – whether it be grandma or a long-lost cousin – argues questions the evidence in your research?
- You may never change someone else’s mind, so instead, remember to open your own mind that perhaps you’re information just might be wrong. If the evidence isn’t proving the answer to your research question, there’s probably a reason why.
- If we have two documents that don’t match up, (much like great-grandpa’s two-state birth record i mentioned above), continue to look for additional evidence. Such as additional proof showing his parents in either state at the time of birth, a church record for a baptism, additional vital records that show a place of birth.
- Consider ALL of the evidence in front of you. Not only the pieces that confirm what you believe, but all of it. (After all, we’re keeping an open mind here – remember?)
In the instance of my 4th great-grandmother, Susannah:
Bedford County, Virginia, Deed Book 21, Page 452-
13 August 1829 – Indenture in which Andrew Kerr and Susannah, his wife, late Susanna Houck of {GALLIA} COUNTY, STATE OF OHIO of one part sell to Simon Sharpe of Bedford County, Virginia, of the other part – for $120.00 a tract of land in Bedford County on Roaring Run containing 66 acres, being the same land allotted to the said Susan by the name of Susan Houcke as part of her portion of the real estate of the late George Kerns, dec’d, and designated in the division of said Kerns land as lot #8, etc. Recorded August 14, 1829. (NOTE: on 11 August, 1829 – same parties of 1st part sell Parham Arrington of Bedford County, Virginia another portion of Susanna’s land (Lot #3) bequeathed to her by George Kerns, dec’d (ibid page 451) containing 33 acres, etc.)
What does this record tell me, or more importantly – what would it tell grandma?
1. This record states the name of my 4th great-grandparents, Andrew & Susannah Kerr.
2. It says that her name prior to her marriage to Andrew, was HOUCK.
3. It states that she was given land by George KERNS…most likely an inheritance at the time of his death, allowing me to believe she was his daughter since women were not commonly allotted land “back in the day” unless it was given from a direct family member.
Bedford County Marriage Bonds, 1800-1853, page 74 – Salem, MA : Higginson Book Co., Reprint. Originally published: Salt Lake City, Utah : Genealogical Society of Utah, 1939. https://archive.org/details/bedfordcountyvir00unse shows the groom, bride, date, and the bondsman.
Admittedly, still one more spelling option, however, I see this as an additional piece of evidence that Susannah was Susannah Kerns (or Karnes, or Carns), who was married to Mr. Houck, and then married 2nd to Andrew Kerr, my ancestor.
(On a side note, if anyone has insight into why two states would record the birth record of great-grandpa that I spoke of earlier, please feel free to send me a message!)
~C.