BCG Genealogical Proof Standard & Proof Arguments 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many elements comprise the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) as defined by the Board for Certification of Genealogists?
- Three
- Four
- Five (Correct answer)
- Six
Correct answer: Five
The GPS consists of five elements: reasonably exhaustive search, complete and accurate source citations, analysis and correlation of evidence, resolution of conflicting evidence, and a soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion.
Question 2: Which GPS element requires that all relevant sources be examined before reaching a genealogical conclusion?
- Complete source citations
- Reasonably exhaustive search (Correct answer)
- Resolution of conflicting evidence
- Soundly reasoned conclusion
Correct answer: Reasonably exhaustive search
The 'reasonably exhaustive search' element requires consulting all sources that might contain relevant information before drawing a conclusion.
Question 3: In the GPS framework, what type of written product is appropriate when evidence is straightforward, non-conflicting, and the conclusion can be stated briefly?
- Proof argument
- Research report
- Proof summary (Correct answer)
- Compiled genealogy
Correct answer: Proof summary
A proof summary is a concise narrative appropriate when a conclusion rests on directly stated evidence with no conflicting information requiring resolution.
Question 4: When genealogical evidence is conflicting or the conclusion rests entirely on indirect or negative evidence, what written product is required to meet GPS standards?
- Proof summary
- Source list
- Proof argument (Correct answer)
- Research log
Correct answer: Proof argument
A proof argument is a well-reasoned, fully documented essay required when evidence conflicts or when the conclusion depends solely on indirect or negative evidence.
Question 5: What term describes the GPS element that involves examining multiple pieces of evidence together to assess their combined meaning?
- Source evaluation
- Correlation (Correct answer)
- Triangulation
- Indexing
Correct answer: Correlation
Correlation is the process of analyzing and comparing multiple pieces of evidence to understand how they relate and what they collectively indicate.
Question 6: According to BCG standards, a genealogical conclusion is considered proven when it meets all GPS elements and is supported by what type of evidence standard?
- Beyond reasonable doubt
- Preponderance of the evidence (Correct answer)
- Clear and convincing evidence
- Absolute certainty
Correct answer: Preponderance of the evidence
Genealogical proof requires a preponderance of the evidence — the conclusion is more likely true than not — rather than the higher legal standards used in criminal cases.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'negative evidence' in genealogical research?
- Evidence that disproves a hypothesis
- The absence of an expected record or entry that itself is informative (Correct answer)
- A source that contains errors
- Conflicting information from two sources
Correct answer: The absence of an expected record or entry that itself is informative
Negative evidence is the meaningful absence of an expected record — for example, the absence of a marriage record in a thoroughly searched jurisdiction can suggest the couple married elsewhere.
BCG Genealogical Proof Standard & Proof Arguments 1
How many elements comprise the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) as defined by the Board for Certification of Genealogists?