Recognized and Acceptable Proofs for Establishing Ancestry
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Birth records
These records may proceed from either church or state. Christening records are acceptable from identified parishes. -
Marriage records
These records may proceed from either church or state. -
Death records
These records may proceed from church, state or cemetery. -
Testamentary Records
Wills, probate records, administrations and inventories of estates, which include relationship to the deceased, are acceptable. -
Census Records
Photocopies of census records, which include the upper headings of the sheet, the date of enumeration, location, and marginal number of the dwelling and household, from 1850 to the present. Implied relationships of children to parents living in the same household will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Where census records do not identify male and female residents as husband and wife, the census records alone will not suffice to prove marriage of the individuals. -
Bible pages
Photocopies of Bible page entries are acceptable, providing that the publication date, also photocopied, precedes the dates and the information written therein. The applicant must also specify the name and address of the present owner of the Bible. -
Land Records
Deeds of sale, gift, etc., which specify relationships are acceptable. -
Tombstone photos
Photos of tombstone inscriptions are acceptable, which verify dates of birth or death of an individual, or which state parentage. The applicant must specify the location of the cemetery, including the city, county, and state in which the tombstones reside. -
Genealogical texts
Sources must include a photocopy of title page (author and publisher), and the page numbers of the text given as a proof. An exception to the requirement to supply a photocopy of the text, is citations from Lee of Virginia, by Cazenove Lee, 1895. -
Newspaper clippings
Articles from original printed publications, which include the name and date of the newspaper or periodical. -
Proof of direct relationship to another proven descendant
In the case of previously established lines, the Society reserves the right to stipulate to the authenticity of documented relationships: (i.e. proof that Elizabeth Jones was the sister of Thomas Jones who was already proven to be son of John Jones). This also includes proof of direct relationship to another established member of our society. -
DNA
The Society will consider DNA evidence in the overall context of other relationship records. DNA test results by themselves are not acceptable.
*NOT ACCEPTABLE are family histories written by family members, which do not meet the standards of documentation stated above. In addition, memberships in other societies are not acceptable as primary evidence.