Saint Boltoph's Northfleet Parish Church in County Kent, England

Norfleet Family Genealogy

Merton College, Oxford, the college of Master John de Northflete

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The National Genealogical Society (NGS) promulgated a set of "Standards for Sound Genealogical Research" in their March 1998 issue (Volume 86, Number 1, Page 50).  

By permission granted by the NGS, these standards are presented below.

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Standards for Sound Genealogical Research

Recommended by the National Genealogical Society

Remembering always that they are engaged in a quest for truth, family history researchers consistently --

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Record the source for each item of information they collect.

 

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Test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence and reject those that are not supported by the evidence.

 

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Seek original records, or reproduced images of them when there is reasonable assurance that they have not been altered, as the basis for their research conclusions.

 

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Use compilations, communications, and published works, whether paper or electronic, primarily for their value as guides to locating the original records.

 

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State something as a fact only when it is supported by convincing evidence and identify the evidence when communicating a fact to others.

 

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Limit with words like "probable" or "possible" any statement that is based on less than convincing evidence and state the reasons for concluding that it is probable or possible.

 

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Avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information.

 

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State carefully and honestly the results of their own research and acknowledge all use of other researchers' work.

 

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Recognize the collegial nature of genealogical research by making their work available to others through publication, or by placing copies in appropriate libraries or repositories, and by welcoming critical comment.

 

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Consider with open minds new evidence or the comments of others on their work and the conclusions they have reached.

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Copyright 1997 by the National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy or publish this material, provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.

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