CGL Data Analysis and Interpretation 2

Question 1

When analyzing a series of census records for an ancestor, you notice the reported age advances by 12 years over a 20-year span. What is the most genealogically sound conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Age reporting in historical censuses was often inconsistent and should be corroborated with other sources

Answer

Historical census ages were frequently estimated or misreported, so inconsistencies are common and require triangulation with other sources.

Question 2

A researcher finds a death certificate listing a parent's birthplace as 'Germany' while earlier records say 'Prussia.' How should this discrepancy be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

Recognize that Prussia became part of Germany and the informant may have used contemporary terminology

Answer

Political boundaries changed over time, and informants often used current country names rather than the historic jurisdiction.

Question 3

Which statistical concept is most useful when evaluating the likelihood that two individuals with the same name in the same county are the same person?

Accepted Answer

Name frequency analysis combined with cluster research

Answer

Name frequency analysis alongside cluster research of associated individuals helps assess whether two same-name records refer to one person.

Question 4

In a DNA segment analysis, a genealogist finds a 7 cM shared segment between two individuals. What is the best interpretive approach?

Accepted Answer

Use it as a weak lead requiring additional evidence, as small segments may be identical by chance

Answer

Segments below approximately 10 cM carry a higher risk of being identical by chance (IBC) and should not be relied upon alone for relationship conclusions.

Question 5

A genealogist is correlating land records that reference metes-and-bounds descriptions across three deeds. What is the primary analytical goal?

Accepted Answer

Reconstruct the physical location and ownership chain of the parcel

Answer

Correlating metes-and-bounds descriptions across deeds allows reconstruction of ownership sequences and physical property boundaries.

(CGL) Certified Genealogical Lecturer Practice Test

(CGL) Certified Genealogical Lecturer Practice Test

CGL Data Analysis and Interpretation 2