BCG Genealogical Proof Standard & Proof Arguments 2

Question 1

In the GPS evidence taxonomy, what is an 'original source'?

Accepted Answer

The first recording of information, unaltered from its original creation

Answer

Any document more than 100 years old

Answer

A government-issued record

Answer

A source cited in another genealogist's work

Question 2

What distinguishes 'primary information' from 'secondary information' in genealogical evidence analysis?

Accepted Answer

Whether the informant had firsthand knowledge of the fact at the time it was recorded

Answer

The age of the record versus a newer copy

Answer

Whether the source is government-issued or privately created

Answer

Whether the record has been certified by an official

Question 3

A 19th-century published county history contains a biographical sketch compiled from information submitted by the subject's descendants decades after his death. How should this source be classified?

Accepted Answer

Derivative source, secondary information

Answer

Original source, primary information

Answer

Original source, secondary information

Answer

Authored work, primary information

Question 4

What is a 'derivative source' in genealogical terminology?

Accepted Answer

Any source that reproduces, transcribes, abstracts, or extracts information from an original

Answer

A source obtained from a courthouse

Answer

A source created by the subject of research

Answer

A source that has been certified as accurate

Question 5

In a proof argument, how must a genealogist handle conflicting evidence before stating a conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Explain the conflict, evaluate each piece of evidence, and show why one interpretation is better supported

Answer

Cite only the most reliable source and ignore the rest

Answer

List all conflicting sources in a footnote

Answer

Defer the conclusion until new records are found

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of 'indirect evidence' in genealogical research?

Accepted Answer

A deed that names a grantor but does not state his relationship to a prior owner

Answer

A birth certificate that directly states the subject's date of birth

Answer

A marriage record listing both spouses' full names

Answer

A death certificate that lists the decedent's parents by name

Question 7

What does BCG mean by 'reasonably exhaustive search' when applied to a specific research question?

Accepted Answer

Searching all sources that are reasonably available and likely to contain relevant information

Answer

Searching at least ten different sources

Answer

Searching every possible record that has ever existed

Answer

Searching until two sources agree on the same fact