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Archiver > LA-LGHS > 2003-08 > 1062186454


From: "J. Garland" <>
Subject: Re: [LA-LGHS-L] Anyone can answer this, PLEASE
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 12:49:14 -0700
References: <20030828.233510.-172137.13.mdutsch@juno.com> <000601c36e35$76410300$4c137042@.centuryinter.net> <002b01c36e4f$7da28320$61a3cdd1@DB79RK21> <001e01c36e59$633888e0$91137042@.centuryinter.net>


In the old days, before public records of births, a Bible record, written
about the time of the event by a close relative of the person, would have
been considered a source document for proof of the event.

Obviously the problem is that you can't really be sure who wrote the note
or when.

It would take some destructive forensics work to figure out approximately
when it was written by the composition of the ink.

If there were samples of the person's handwriting on other documents you
might be able to verify the author of the notes.

But, generally speaking, I think Bible notes are still considered 'source
documents' and would be questioned only if there were some other documents
deemed more reliable, for what ever reason.

My own experiece is that they're reliable most of the time. I know of only
one or two instances in my family where the person was probably recording
events that happened long before and wrote by memory, which was faulty. The
errors in names and sometimes dates were able to be corrected with other
documentation. The notes dated to the late 1800's, so other sources were
available.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ethel Sacker" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2003 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [LA-LGHS-L] Anyone can answer this, PLEASE


> That a Bible Record would be classified as a legal document, or authentic
> document, such as a date of birth, or death, or marriage. I have heard of
> this, but don't have any idea how to go about getting it done. Suggestions
> welcomed.
> Ethel.
>
>
>
> ==== LA-LGHS Mailing List ====
> LGHS: Serving Louisiana Genealogist since 1953.
> To submit an article to be considered for publication in The Register,
> contact Mike Smith at <>
>
>

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