Genealogy lives at the intersection of two very different things: records and stories. This site uses both—but it treats them differently, and deliberately so.
This page explains what each one is, what each one is not, and why both are necessary to understand a family honestly.
What Records Are
Records are documents created at a specific moment in time for a specific purpose. They include birth certificates, census entries, marriage records, land deeds, military files, and similar materials.
They are invaluable—but they are not neutral, complete, or always correct.
- They reflect what someone believed, reported, or recorded at the time
- They may contain errors, omissions, or contradictions
- They often reduce complex lives to a handful of data points
Records tell us that something happened. They rarely tell us why.
What Stories Are
Stories are narrative explanations that connect records, context, and human experience. On this site, stories are not inventions. They are structured interpretations built from evidence, patterns, and historical understanding.
A story may explain:
- Why a family suddenly moved
- How economic or social pressure shaped decisions
- What a record does not say but strongly implies
Stories exist to restore dimension to lives flattened by paperwork.
What Stories Are Not
Stories here are not fictionalized scenes, imagined dialogue, or emotional embroidery. They do not override records, and they do not pretend to certainty where none exists.
When a story involves inference, uncertainty, or interpretation, it is handled openly rather than hidden behind confident language.
Why Both Are Necessary
Records without stories can feel sterile, confusing, or misleading. Stories without records drift into mythology.
Together, they allow us to:
- Understand decisions within their historical context
- Recognize patterns across generations
- Preserve meaning, not just information
This balance is intentional. It reflects the belief that families are best understood as lived systems, not just documented ones.
How This Appears on the Site
You may see short narratives embedded within Family Hubs or individual profiles. These exist to guide understanding—not to replace evidence.
When possible, records are cited or summarized. When stories are used, they are grounded in what can reasonably be supported.
A Note on Trust
Trust in genealogy does not come from pretending certainty. It comes from clearly distinguishing between what is documented, what is inferred, and what remains unknown.
This page exists so that distinction never has to be guessed.