GeneaBabble

Just found an interesting article on something we’re all familiar with: Family stories that are just plain wrong!

Did you know that my great-great-great-great-whatever-grandfather saved the king by cutting off his own foot?? I haven’t been able to either verify or debunk this one yet, but I’m sure you can guess my thoughts on the reliability of such a story.

As genealogists we are sometimes given the heavy task of shattering people’s illusions of being descended from great heroes or politicians. Even just finding out that Great-uncle Mervin didn’t really live next door to Teddy Roosevelt can be disappointing.

The opposite can happen, of course. Sometimes these stories are confirmed and it’s a really great experience when they are. Just remember not to let such things cloud your judgment when it comes to research.