By Susie Wickman at Genealogy Journey

How well do you know your primary and secondary sources? Here’s a drop test to test your knowledge!

 

Drop Test:

Primary and Secondary Sources

I recently had the opportunity to teach an Introduction to Genealogy class at the library. We had a discussion about whether a source would be considered primary or secondary and how such information should be weighted.

I presented the information in the form of a quiz, or drop test, for each source item to be evaluated separately. I thought it would be fun to share it here. As you review each item, take note if you think it is a primary or secondary source and why.

1. Passenger list-index

 

2. Ship’s manifest

 

 

 

3. Naturalization certificate

 

 

4. 1900 Census

 

 

5. Obituary transcript

 

 

     6. Obituary

 

 

   7. Death certificate

 

 

Answers:

1. Passenger list-index

Any index would be considered a secondary source. The potential for typing errors during re-copying of information is always a possibility. In fact, this document is from my grandfather Koster’s brother, Adolph Koster (1871-1946), and as you can see, there is an error. Without the original document, there is no way to say if it is a typo or just entered incorrectly.

 

2. Ship’s manifest

This is generally considered to be a primary source document. Information is provided at the time of the event. Still, there is room for error. If your person provides information for several members of the family, they may not remember correctly. This is the manifest of my mother’s mother, my grandmother, Anna Zurcher Koster (1897-1954), and my G-grandmother, Anna Siegenthaler Zurcher (1873-1954). If mom (Anna Zurcher) was the one giving the data, she did pretty well remembering her kids ages.

 

3. Naturalization certificate

Such a document is usually considered to be a primary source document. This is my grandfather, Otto Koster’s, naturalization certificate.  In this case, however, birth dates of the children are incorrect. Sophie’s birth date is December 22; Marie’s birth date (my mother) is June 19, and Gertrude’s birth date is October 8.

 

4. Census

Censuses are tricky. They would be considered primary source documents because the information is provided at the time of the event. Yet, information is provided by who answers the door when the census taker knocks. This 1900 Census is from my G-grandfather, Jacob Sayler (1847-1923). Possible errors in this document include Gottlieb’s birth date in February 1879 and Andreas’ birth date in October 1891.

 

5. Obituary transcript

A transcript, like an index, is considered a secondary source. Secondary sources may contain accurate, legitimate information, but it must be taken with a grain of salt. Andrew Sayler (1891-1949) is my grandfather’s brother.  In this instance, the name Mrs. David Fanderer, is actually a misspelling of Mrs. David Foerderer. It may be a typo or a misspelling in the original document. But, primarily, I am aware of the error because of my familiarity with the family history.

 

6. Obituary

An obituary is considered a primary source because it was generated at the time of the event. Once again, consider who provided the information. A son-in-law who may not actually know or a family member who has no interest in family history may provide information. Christian Sayler (1893-1980) is another of my grandfather’s brothers.

 

7. Death certificate

The death certificate is another document that is considered to be a primary source, initiated at the time of the event. And another document that depends on the person that provides the information. This is my children’s g-grandmother, Helen (Marrota/Marrote) Wickman (1892/3-1933). The information was provided by her physician. She was in the Pittsburgh City Home & Hospitals ( a facility of some kind?). I have to wonder what in-depth knowledge the doctor had of Helen’s family.

 

How did you do? Did you pass the test? Do you agree with my conclusions?

 

So what have we learned? We need to examine the information we are provided. A primary and secondary source can provide valuable information, but should always be collaborated with other sources.

 

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