Cast in stone ?
Finding lots of incorrect Gravestones on a zillion Graves.
Different from actual death notices or marriage or baptism documents.
Names often different , d.o.b. and /or date of death.
Often new gravestones erected long after death.
Like 1992 for death 1843 !
So do we follow information on death notices or gravestones
Hello Phillipp
You would need to look at the timing and actual source person for each item of information, also the nature of the physical record.
There's much to be said about the quality of evidence, also the distinction(s) to be drawn between direct evidence and indirect evidence.
Suggest you look at the Board for Certified Genealogists https://bcgcertification.org/about/ and especially articles by Prof. Tom Jones. Also National Genealogical Society https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ -- both in the US
Boston University runs an Online Genealogy Certificate (about a 6 - 8 week programme) -- a mind-blowing learning opportunity, which I can highly recommend.
Kind regards
Adv. Dave Mitchell
Cape Town, South Africa
Albrecht -- yes it matters .
similar named in dividuals often die same period .
e.g. found 2 FJ van Rensburg born1872 died 1960 --two different men .
On Geni they each had the others d.o.b and death , wrong parents but correct wife and children .
It matters very much .
I am one of 3 JP Weyers : born 1956 - alive , 1957 died 2001 , 1958 - alive
So easy to go wrong .
The more contemporaneous the record the better.
My great grandfather's year of birth is incorrect on his gravestone and Death Notice. But it's correct on his baptismal entry i.e. records produced at the time of the event, or closest to often prove more accurate.
"Does detail really matter so much?" I'm constantly thinking I should have his gravestone replaced. He died in 1935. Before I was born. Next question, do I have the right? I don't think I do, never knew him.
@ Thanks for this discussion. I realised a few months ago that the information on my Grandfather Botha's gravestone are wrong. To many people contributing to that information.
I think that the information on the death notice would be more correct than gravestones. That is an official document which I have found up to now being a great help.