Education Centre
- Education Centre Introduction
- Genealogy & Family History: What’s the difference?
- Family History Advice Service
- Search and Copy Service
- Lecture & Events Programme
- On-line courses from Pharos
- Genealogy Links
- Family History Show.
- Standards and Good Practice in Genealogy.
- How to Join the Society
- Governance
Standards and Good Practice in Genealogy
The Society has established the following principles to be essential in the conduct of acceptable genealogical research:
Principles of Genealogical Research
- Accuracy and honesty of all personal research and of work published, promoted or distributed to others.
- Provision of clear evidence from primary sources to support all conclusions and statements of fact.
- Use of original sources and records (or filmed images of originals) to gather key information.
- Citation and recording of sources used so that others may also evaluate the evidence.
- Logical and reasoned development of family links with each step proved from valid evidence before further deductions are made.
- Investigation and analysis of all possible solutions and of contradictory evidence with each alternative hypothesis examined and tested.
- Qualification of less certain conclusions as probable or possible so that others are not misled
- Acceptance of the possibility that a solution may not be found and acknowledgement of circumstances in which this occurs.
- Awareness of gaps in the availability of and information from sources at all levels.
- Receptiveness to new information and to informed comment which may challenge earlier conclusions.
- Acknowledgement and attribution of research done by others and use of such work as a secondary source only.