Apparently, this is a common problem in trying to write a family history.
And it isn't just a problem facing family biographers.
As a keen student of all things historical I am constantly amazed at all the conflicting evidence offered in books and articles about well-known events that you'd think would contain identical information.
Take the pyramids, for example. According to Egyptian records the Great Pyramid was constructed in 22 years. Yet if you count the number of actual stones that went into its construction, it could not have possibly been built in so short a time.
In fact, if someone was crazy enough to take on an identical building project today, the newly constructed pyramid using modern methods would still be unlikely to be completed in 22 years.
To build the Great Pyramid using the same number of stones would require fashioning and placing a stone every 9 seconds for the next 22 years!
I guess the lesson here is that not even written evidence is always reliable - much less anecdotal evidence!
May 20, 2009 Rating
Which is the Truth? by: Mack Baxter
I thoroughly enjoyed your tale of the imagined, and the 'real'(?) history of your Grandparents!
I too, have had this same experience-- and right now I am not sure which to believe, either!
My Dad (deceased 10 yrs ago) and my Aunt-- (still active-- in her 80's) both tell of occupations, and have memories of their parents adn Grandparents, when younger-- that do not seem to line up with the Census reports that I find in searches!
My question I ask is: Did the Census taker write down accurate information? Did my ancestors 'tell all' when the Census taker visited their home?
How will we ever know, in this system of things? At least we have the resurrection to look forward to, when we can ask them ourselves, -- and they will then truly 'Tell All'! :-)
Sincerely,
Mack B.
Keeping a diary or journal has never been easier or more convenient! The Journal automatically brings up a new
entry for you every day, and provides a calendar for easy review.
Keeping a diary or journal has never been easier or more convenient! The Journal automatically brings up a new
entry for you every day, and provides a calendar for easy review.
