BCG Documentation & Record Management 3

Question 1

Which type of information is considered 'primary' in genealogical source evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Information provided by someone with firsthand knowledge of the event

Answer

Primary information is supplied by someone with firsthand knowledge of the event being recorded, regardless of when or where the record was created.

Question 2

A researcher wants to document a negative finding—that a search of county probate records found no will for an ancestor. How should this be recorded?

Accepted Answer

It should be noted in the research log with the date, repository, and scope of the search

Answer

Negative findings are genealogically significant and must be recorded with the date, repository, record set searched, and scope of search so the work is not unnecessarily repeated.

Question 3

When abstracting a census record, what is the key difference between an abstract and a transcription?

Accepted Answer

An abstract uses the researcher's own words; a transcription does not change any wording

Answer

A transcription copies the original text verbatim, while an abstract summarizes the record's key points in the researcher's own words, condensing non-essential details.

Question 4

Which BCG standard requires that every conclusion be supported by a written or oral explanation of the evidence and reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Skillfully written conclusion

Answer

The GPS requires a 'skillfully written conclusion'—a narrative that explains how the evidence was analyzed and why the conclusion follows from it.

Question 5

A researcher finds a family bible record listing birth dates. What class of source is the bible record itself?

Accepted Answer

An original source

Answer

The physical family bible is an original source because it is the record itself, not a copy or derivative of another document.

(BCG) Board for the Certification of Genealogists Practice Test

(BCG) Board for the Certification of Genealogists Practice Test

BCG Documentation & Record Management 3