‘Proof’ elusive in genealogy

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A recent bulletin from the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Maine informs us that the organization has 1,200 members – two have been belonged for 55 years, four for 45 years, 13 for 40 years.

I joined Mayflower as a descendant of Francis Cooke, and the Daughters of the American Revolution on William Hayford Sr. There are people who belong to dozens of lineage societies – and, of course, those who don’t belong to any, but spend countless hours searching out their forebears.

In recent years, genealogy has risen from third – to the second-most popular hobby, behind gardening, according to the National Genealogical Society.

The March 26 issue of The New Yorker magazine had a fascinating article by John Seabrook, “The Tree of Me,” about his family research – both through documents and through DNA testing.

It brings up an interesting question. What do we want to know, and how far will we go to find it?

Although a few people wear their proven ancestors like a badge of honor, most of us, I think, simply want a connection to the past – to the people who made us who we are.

Our Pilgrims, Revolutionary War ancestors, Magna Carta barons and royal ancestors were no better or worse than most other people.

But it’s fun to find them, or a president or other notable personage among our relatives.

A question I hear frequently is, “How do you know what is proof?”

Ask 10 genealogists, and you may get 10 answers.

Recently I found on the Web an issue of The Genealogical Inquirer, the newsletter of the Plymouth County Genealogists Inc., which offered some definitions for proof, primary and secondary evidence, and other terms.

The Web site is http://users.rootsweb.com/~maplymou/q1970005.htm.

But that doesn’t tell you how you know when something has been proved.

One easy answer is that if something has been accepted by a reputable lineage society, I would generally consider it proven. In the early years, the application process was less stringent in many cases, but these days such groups are very careful.

Certainly there is a long list of genealogists whose judgment I would trust. I remember sending in my William Hayford Sr. material for an early volume of “Maine Families in the 1790 Census,” and having the editor add to what I had submitted.

The people editing the Maine Families volumes – the seventh has just been published for the Maine Genealogical Society by Picton Press in Rockport – are top-notch.

It’s accepted that primary records, also called original records, are more likely valid than secondary or compiled material. But there can be mistakes in anything.

When it’s research for yourself, sometimes you just have to decide what you believe.

The Internet has expanded the possibilities of genealogy tremendously, both accurately and inaccurately. The fun is in solving the puzzle.

This Saturday, I hope to see many of you at the Maine Genealogical Society meeting at Reeds Brook Middle School, Main Road, Hampden.

Registration is $10 at the door beginning at 8:30 a.m. for those who haven’t pre-registered. Talks will begin at 9:30 a.m.

In particular, you’ll want to hear the keynotes by Marcia Melnyk at 9:30 a.m. on immigrant ancestors, and at 2:30 p.m. on naturalization records. Melnyk is well known for giving talks for the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Workshops will be held in between, and there will be vendors on hand with books and other items.

For information, check www.rootsweb.com/~megs/MaineGS.htm.

We could certainly use more queries, so do send some along. Also, if you have recommendations about good resources, books and places to do research, do share.

3095. LUFKIN-WITHEE. Seeking record of marriage of a Mr. Lufkin and Vera Olive Withee, b. April 21, 1902, in Bangor, daughter of Irvin and Edna (Woodbury) Withee. Vera had a sister, Ellen, b. Aug. 26, 1895; d. Apr. 5, 1904, Bangor. Dottie Lapaire, 18 Holt Drive, Ellsworth, ME 04605; or telephone 667-1014.

3096. KENNEDY-FOLSOM-DEAN. Seeking ancestry and information for Samuel Kennedy Jr., b. April 6, 1814, Jefferson or Somerville; md. Sarah Folsom, b. 1816, d. May 19, 1868. Also ancestry for Sarah. They had children, including son Freeman Kennedy, b. Nov. 27, 1844, Jefferson, d. 1918, town of Washington. Freeman md. Marietta Dean. Danny W. Howard, DECF Box 428, Machiasport, ME 04655.

Send queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail to familyti@bangordailynews.net. Full name and address of sender are required even if e-mail is used.