Mastering Genealogical Proof

by Thomas W. Jones

Mastering Genealogical Proof aims to help researchers, students, and new family historians reconstruct relationships and lives of people they cannot see. It presents content in digestible chunks. Each chapter concludes with problems providing practice for proficiently applying the chapter’s concepts. Those problems, like examples throughout the book, use real records, real research, and real issues. Answers are at the back of the book along with a glossary of technical terms and an extensive resource list.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Research, History

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Thomas Jones has co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002, and he is the author of Mastering Genealogical Proof. He serves the Board for Certification of Genealogists as trustee and is a past president. He is the 2011 recipient of the Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Achievement Award, 2004 recipient of its Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit, and 1997 and 2002 winner of the National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence for articles in the NGS Quarterly. He has been certified since 1994. A professor emeritus at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., he is a genealogical educator who speaks and writes frequently on genealogical evidence, proof, and problem solving. Personal and professional genealogical research since 1964 has taken Jones to records of all states east of the Mississippi plus Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.

His experience includes on-site research in courthouses, libraries, and archives in most of those states, the Family History Library, and other major genealogical repositories. He also has conducted research in records of France, Germany, and Ireland, and on-site research in Ireland. His specialties, however, are Georgia, Ireland, and Virginia.

Reviews

[Trudy Pomerantz]

What did I think of this book? Hmm. As with his textbook on genealogical documentation, I’m going to wait to actually give it a rating. As I try to document my research and write up my conclusions, my initial reaction may change.

[Brad Garton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have restarted doing genealogy after a long break. This is one of the books I'm reading to get a handle on newer techniques to use in my research. This book is well written, but difficult to grasp completely for me, as the topics are complex. This is a good introduction to reading contemporary genealogical research and (eventually) writing your own. Although the explanations of the concepts are straight forward, I had trouble grasping it when trying to do the exercises. I think I need to take several cracks at the exercises as I learn more . I don't think this is a book you read once and completely grasp the content.

The book is comprised of several chapters describing the use of GPS in detail, and then appendices which are high quality genealogy articles written by the author, followed by exercises for each chapter. It's arranged similar to other textbooks.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came up with the idea to work through Mastering Genealogical Proof with a research question as a way to build up my skill in the GPS. Apparently, I began this back in June 2019 and can't believe it took me this long to work my way through it. Oh well, it tells me how much has happened in my life since then. I remember back when I started I was just starting to play the viola of my dad's. Long ago when the book first came out I tried working my way through it but stopped at Chapter 7 and never finished. I did skip some of the exercises this time around because I wanted to apply what Tom was saying in the book to my own research question and formulating the proof argument. I think I want to try and work through his Mastering Genealogical Documentation book to try and get less afraid of writing them. I remember as a kid I felt I was pretty good and writing source citations. I hate it when I get to that point in what I'm writing and feel my mind start to seize up where I become this deer in the headlights. Maybe if I just used them more often I would feel more comfortable writing them. If I do work through Tom's next book then I'll have to get another notebook for the exercises. My idea would be to work through the book, exercises, and also apply Tom's instructions to improving the source citations for the proof argument I just wrote about Albert Womble's birthplace. I am wondering if I should submit it to the NGSQ editors because I've always wanted to have something published there and it would be a good way to get feedback on my research.

[Amberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. It is significantly better when one uses it as intended and completes the exercises at the end of each chapter. I have been studying it with a study group. Our group started out rather large but almost everyone dropped out because the exercises are difficult and time-consuming. However, the few of us that stuck with it gained a much deeper understanding of genealogical proof. I am so grateful to have participated in an awesome study group to work through this incredible resource. Now, I want to turn around and read it through again to really cement what I learned. Tom Jones is an excellent writer and teacher, I am grateful for all that I have learned from him over the years.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I felt this book was too fundamental. However, over time I have appreciated the value of this book as I reference it over and over again. Initially, I think I might have felt the book was too basic because Jones has a very direct and uncomplicated way of explaining things; I found the book very accessible. The book also has a variety of exercises with answers should you want extra practice or to test your application of the concepts. I have heard that his new book "Mastering Genealogical Documentation" is a must-buy and that it is a wonderful how-to guide to supplement Mills' "Evidence Explained."

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part if this instructional work is the inclusion of many examples and case studies. Two entire articles are found as appendices and are used with the questions and answers at the end of each chapter. These Q and As are obviously designed so that the book can be used as a textbook.

The part I actually felt I needed was the parts about writing proof arguments. The list of sources are also helpful, too.

Recommended for those serious about doing genealogical research and reporting it accurately for future generations.

[Sue Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book before, but I couldn't find time to complete all of the exercises. (This book has taken several trips with me, in hopes that I would find time to work on it.) And so I signed up for a seven-week course where the homework assignments were to complete the exercises. And so I did.

[Holly Sammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously not a page turner but an invaluable tool for anyone who's serious about genealogy and the GPS. (google it)

I took an 8 week course and we read a chapter or two each week, did the assignments and some others provided thru the class then we met (Zoomed) to discuss it all. Loved my class.

I forgot to mention - not THAT Tom Jones.

[Roger Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry reading, but good explanations - it is basically a manual on how to write genealogical reports; it does not explain how to generate the proof. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to read on a older Kindle as it is very difficult to navigate between the chapters and the exercises and examples which are at the end of the book.

[Barbara Holtzman]

Easy read, mastering the material not as much. A masters degree in any social science will help as you've already learned the basics. Undergrad with a lot of research, citation, formatting longer papers also helps. None of that? Harder. Genealogy courses from NGS very helpful, this book is a textbook [of many] for such courses. Good reference to have regardless.

[Robyn Choate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource. Very much enjoyed the examples in this book. Read as part of a Boston University Genealogy class. Highly recommend.

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent deep dive into researching family history and making sure you get it right. Technical.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a great deal from reading this book. It is chock full of examples and each chapter has a section of questions to answer to help you solidify the concepts you are learning.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important and valuable but dry. Fortunately brief.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a class. Good info.

[KF-in-Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex, tricky, challenging, intimidating, and painful. And worth every minute.

[Maria Tegtmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Thomas Jones give logical reasoning to the whys and how of Genealogical research.

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

The BCGs Genealogy Standards (2014) is a a bit sparse. Examples have been removed from the current edition. This makes Jones' book, Mastering the Genealogical Proof Standard, an essential companion.

Chapters 2 and 4, Fundamental Concepts, and Source Citations, are especially helpful.

If I have any criticism it might be that the examples, overall, are too "textbook." I don't often have need to research probate courts, land title registries, etc. For me, day to day genealogy research is more fundamental and does not involve careful proving (or disproving) evidence.

A second criticism, following from the first, is that the work assumes an idealistic freedom in one's ability to find, choose and gather resources without regard to cost.

The strength of this book lies in the fact that there is a definite need, with all the multi-faceted, combined and federated online sources available these days, to be able to determine and differentiate between primary, secondary, original, and derivative elements.

The BCG Genealogy Standards provides the framework. Shown Mills', Evidence Explained, does a great job of trying to cover the myriad of sources available, offering a consistent guide for creating standardized source citations. Jones' Mastering Genealogical Proof stands in the middle as an invaluable bridge between the two and an essential tool in its own right.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be a very dry subject but was pleasantly surprised at how readable most of "Mastering Genealogical Proof" turned out to be. One of the traps that you can fall into when starting off genealogical research, is to focus on just collecting names without doing the appropriate analysis and providing valid proof of your findings. This book not only provides guidelines, but a methodology to follow when researching your family. I would recommend this as a reference and text for anyone involved in uncovering the history of their family, whether you are new to the subject or a seasoned genealogical researcher.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for any serious genealogist. Dr. Jones takes the reader through the parts of the Genealogical Proof Standard in detail, with exercises at the end of each chapter that cement the concepts. He includes two articles from NGSQ (National Genealogical Society Quarterly) to illustrate his explanations of the GPS. Mastering Genealogical Proof is a thorough and easy to understand study of the Genealogical Proof Standard.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who thinks they want to delve into genealogy - this is an excellent resource. Dr. Jones provides exercises so you can practice the concepts and the answers are in the back so you can check your work. This is not intended to be light reading about the topic, but to really prepare you to practice good genealogical search techniques. Its a must for any family historian or genealogist's library.

[Karin Coppernoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be on every serious genealogist's bookshelf. If you want to take your research to the next level, read this book. Thomas Jones explains the concepts of genealogical proof in an easy-to-read way and provides plenty of practice in the exercises. I wish I had this kind of book years ago when I first started my research.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source for what is expected from the serious genealogist. Exhaustive research, citations, arguments are all covered here, plus more. This is also a workbook, which is helpful in providing examples and "hands on" experience and documents as to what makes for good genealogical proof.

[Linda Hartlaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for understanding the genealogical proof standards. Best used in a class setting (Hi Kirk!) to keep you on track and facilitate discussions. On your own, you can get overwhelmed unless you are a professional genealogist.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A study guide and workbook which really should be used in conjunction with a class. Learned a ton from this book and now for the second half of the year-long class, I'll be learning how to apply what I've learned.

Indispensable knowledge for the advanced level genealogist.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an online group and, after doing genealogy for more than 15 years, learned tons! I wish I'd read this book a LOT earlier. But, I'm thankful for my new knowledge!

I think this is an essential book for genealogist and it's really helpful to study as part of a group.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent informative workbook. The exercises did a fine job reinforcing the principles.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an epic work in the field of genealogy. I will have to read it a number of times. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone that is a beginner or expert in genealogical research.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, takes you step by step though the proof standard. It helped me to understand some concepts that have previously eluded me.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have book for researchers.