When we are faced with challenging research problems, the ability to work with indirect evidence can be a valuable problem-solving skill. Indirect evidence is information that we analyze in the context of our research question and interpret as being relevant, even though it doesn’t directly provide us with an answer. A lack of direct evidence does not mean that a question of identity, circumstance, or relationship cannot be resolved. We can combine indirect evidence with other clues, and present the totality to help prove our conclusion.
Only NGS members have access to full articles of NGS Monthly. Please log in or click here to learn more about joining the National Genealogical Society.
If you have trouble logging on or accessing the articles, please contact [email protected]
Professional genealogist specializing in New Jersey and New York City research, and genealogical writing, editing, and publishing.
March 16, 2016 10:41 amGloria Whitehead I have found that indirect evidence using land records has been helpful to me in backtracking a family member’s timeline. Thank you and I enjoyed reading your article. G. Kay Whitehead, Mississippi Reply