The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is a guideline for establishing the reliability ("proof") of a
genealogical
Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinsh ...
conclusion with reasonable certainty. It is important within the genealogical community for clearly communicating the quality of research performed, such as by a professional genealogist. It is also useful for helping new genealogists understand what is needed to do high-quality research.
It has five elements:
* reasonably exhaustive research;
* complete and accurate source
citation
A citation is a reference to a source. More precisely, a citation is an abbreviated alphanumeric expression embedded in the body of an intellectual work that denotes an entry in the bibliographic references section of the work for the purpose of ...
s;
* analysis and correlation of the collected information;
* resolution of any conflicting
evidence
Evidence for a proposition is what supports this proposition. It is usually understood as an indication that the supported proposition is true. What role evidence plays and how it is conceived varies from field to field.
In epistemology, evidenc ...
; and
* a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion.
References
External links
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* {{cite web , url=http://www.obcgs.com/genealogical-proof-standard/ , title=Genealogical Proof Standard , first=Dee , last=Gibson-Roles , publisher=Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society , archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206055726/http://www.obcgs.com/genealogical-proof-standard , archivedate=2015-02-06 , url-status=dead
Standards
Genealogy