How to Handle Conflicting Dates and Records

It is a rite of passage for every genealogist: you finally find the death certificate of a great-grandfather, only to discover that his listed birth year completely contradicts the date carved on his gravestone.

Historical records are created by fallible human beings, which means they are riddled with errors, lies, and guesswork. When you encounter conflicting data, how do you decide which record to trust for your family tree? Here is how to evaluate genealogical evidence like a professional.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

The first step in resolving a conflict is to evaluate the source of the information. All records are not created equal.

• Primary Source: A record created at the time of the event, by someone with direct knowledge. A birth certificate created by an attending doctor within days of the birth is a primary source for the birth date.
• Secondary Source: A record created long after the event, or by someone without direct knowledge. A death certificate is a primary source for the date of death, but it is a secondary source for the deceased's date of birth.

When dates conflict, always give heavier weight to the primary source.

Consider the Informant

When looking at a record, ask yourself: Who provided this information?

If a gravestone says an ancestor was born in 1880, but their marriage license says they were born in 1883, consider the informants. The ancestor provided their own age for the marriage license. But the gravestone was commissioned by a grieving child decades later, who may have simply guessed the birth year. In this scenario, the marriage license is likely more accurate.

The Motivation to Lie

Our ancestors lied. A lot. When evaluating conflicting records, always consider if the ancestor had a motivation to alter the truth.

Common reasons for historical fibbing include:

• Lying about their age to enlist in the military.
• Lying about their age to marry without parental consent.
• Shaving a few years off their age on a census record out of vanity.

Embrace "Circa"

Sometimes, the conflict cannot be resolved. You may have three different documents that list three different birth years. In these cases, do not force a guess. Good digital family tree platforms allow you to mark a date as approximate. Enter the most likely year and check the "Circa (c.)" box, signaling to future researchers that the exact date remains a mystery.