Blog 150: Genealogical Education (2): Primary and Secondary Sources

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By Vernon M. Herron

     Genealogical education seeks to raise awareness of standards and principles of family research. It seeks to promote reliable and retrievable information that documents history. That research may be primary and/or secondary.

     Primary records are created at the time of, or shortly after the event or circumstances. Such records are noted by someone with personal knowledge of the event. They identify the date, places of events which establish personal identities and family relationships including births, marriages and deaths.

     The first phase of your genealogical information begins in the home. It may include family tradition. Here is an example: “My great-grandparents, Richard and Harriett Herron (c.1825-c.1870) lived in enslavement under an enslaved master by the name of Isaac W. Herron, M.D. in Mecklenburg County, NC. Richard and Harriett were parents of eleven children. The fifth child, whose name was “Green,” was sold to a Grier family. Green Herron’s name was changed to Green Grier. During this period, the Herron and Grier families often traded their enslaved. This account was first told to me by my late uncle John Herron, 3G in 1950 and later verified by census records.”

     Events and relationships recounted in an oral tradition cannot be considered genealogical data unless and until they have been verified by existing documentary evidence.

     Here is another example: Suppose I said, “I was born January 1, 1910.” That is not primary material because I have no knowledge of my birth. I am only repeating what someone told me. But if the attending doctor signed a birth certificate certifying that I was born on the said date, then that is primary material.

     Other primary sources of information may include the family Bible, family papers, memorabilia, diaries, journals, letters, unrecorded Deeds and wills, marriage certificates, Patriotic and Fraternal organization papers, military records, photographs, birthday books, autograph albums, diplomas, yearbooks, certificates of membership, anniversary and wedding announcements. These mentioned documents may contain much primary information. Start now to collect and maintain your file.

     The term “secondary source” is used to describe material that has been compiled or copied from other sources. It may have been compiled from one or more primary sources, or it may have been copied from other secondary sources. This material is usually found outside the home like in libraries or in record repositories. All information obtained from secondary sources should be verified by the use of primary records whenever possible.     

     Secondary sources of material may be found in family histories and genealogies, local histories, genealogical and historical periodicals, newspapers, early settlers lists, biographical dictionaries, state papers, city directories, telephone books, patriotic societies, manuscript collections, books, periodicals, etc.

     Knowing the difference between primary and secondary sources will help you in organization, recall and recording. Show me what a researcher you are.

Peace be upon you.

Good luck!

Stay the course.