CGL Documentation and Record Keeping 3

Question 1

Which of the following is the correct order of preference when evaluating conflicting evidence in genealogical records?

Accepted Answer

Original → derivative → authored narrative

Answer

Original records are preferred because they have not been reprocessed; derivatives introduce potential transcription errors, and authored narratives add further layers of interpretation.

Question 2

A genealogist quotes a passage from a 19th-century will verbatim in her report. This practice is called:

Accepted Answer

Transcribing

Answer

Transcription reproduces the original text word-for-word; abstraction summarizes content, and extraction pulls only specific data points.

Question 3

When a census record shows an ancestor's birthplace as 'Germany' but a church record shows 'Bavaria,' how should documentation handle this discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

Document both sources and explain the discrepancy in a research note or proof argument

Answer

Sound genealogical practice requires documenting all relevant evidence and explaining conflicts rather than arbitrarily selecting one source over another.

Question 4

Which element should appear in a genealogical source citation for a photograph held in a private family collection?

Accepted Answer

The current owner's name, description of photo, approximate date, and present location

Answer

Private collection citations must identify the holder, describe the item, and note its current location so future researchers can request access.

Question 5

A 'research report' differs from a 'research log' primarily in that a research report:

Accepted Answer

Summarizes findings, analyzes evidence, and presents conclusions for a client or specific question

Answer

A research report synthesizes evidence and presents reasoned conclusions, while a log is a chronological record of searches conducted.

(CGL) Certified Genealogical Lecturer Practice Test

(CGL) Certified Genealogical Lecturer Practice Test

CGL Documentation and Record Keeping 3