My Thoughts on 'Proof' of Ancestry in Genealogy
by Wayne A.Ragsdale (Al) Mar 2000

When I first started my research, there was no 'Internet'. When I found what I thought was the 
correct parents of someone, I included that in my family tree program. If someone has 'proof'
 of that being an incorrect assumption, I have no problem. Genealogy is just a pastime. I am 
not trying to make money off anyone by saying that I am related to someone.I did not realize at the time there there might be some contention about assuming someone was related.
The two lines which were my biggest 'assumptions' are that Malachi Underwood was a son of James
 Underwood of Green Co,Ky. And that Mercer Spears of Randolph Co,Al had three 
sons:William,Joshua,and Daniel. I have since removed the parent connection of Malachi
 to James and also Joshua & Daniel from Mercer, since there is only census info to 
'proove' these. I have 'notes' in my family tree program stating my beliefs. I'm not sure
 if primary documents such as birth,death, or probate records will ever be found to proove
 or disprove these.