Records are the foundation of family history. Births, marriages, deaths, censuses, land transactions, military service, and countless other documents form the paper trail that allows stories to be tested, corrected, and confirmed.
On MyCousins.org, records are treated as evidence—not answers. Each document reflects a moment in time, shaped by context, purpose, and human error. Understanding records means understanding how and why they were created.
This topic brings together pages that explore genealogical records, evidence evaluation, and how documentation supports responsible family history research.
What Counts as Evidence
Evidence in genealogy includes original documents, derivative records, and analytical interpretation. Each source must be evaluated within its historical and human context.
Records Are Created by People
Every record reflects who provided the information, when it was recorded, why it was created, and what the recorder believed or assumed. Conflicting information is common—and meaningful.
Disagreement between records is not failure; it is evidence.
Evaluating Evidence Responsibly
Sound genealogy depends on comparing multiple sources, understanding record types, and recognizing the limits of what any single document can prove.
Who This Topic Is For
- Researchers verifying family relationships
- Readers learning how genealogical records work
- Families documenting conclusions responsibly
- Anyone navigating conflicting or unclear sources
Pages Related to Records & Evidence
The following pages are formally assigned to this topic:
- How to Read a Census Record
- Conflicting Records: What to Do
- Primary vs Secondary Sources
- Original vs Derivative Records
- Evaluating Evidence
- Why Records Disagree
- What Records Can—and Cannot—Prove
- McClanahan — McClanahan–Elcik Wedding Announcement
- McClanahan — McClanahan–Jorgenson Wedding Announcement
- McClanahan — McClanahan–Woods Wedding Announcement
Continue Exploring
Records and evidence intersect closely with immigration and identity, places we lived, work and daily life, and family stories—where documentation gives structure to lived experience.