Primary and Secondary Information

Genealogical records often contain both primary and secondary information. Understanding the difference between these types helps researchers evaluate accuracy and determine how much weight to give a particular piece of evidence.

Primary Information

Primary information is provided by someone with direct knowledge of an event at or near the time it occurred.

• Recorded close in time to the event
• Provided by eyewitness or participant
• Often found in birth, marriage, and death records
• Generally more reliable

Secondary Information

Secondary information is provided after the event, often based on memory or secondhand knowledge.

• Recorded long after the event occurred
• Provided by someone not present at the event
• Common in death certificates and later records
• May contain inaccuracies

Mixed Information

Many records contain both types of information.

• Death certificate may have accurate death date but incorrect birth date
• Census may correctly list residence but approximate ages
• Probate records may list heirs accurately but relationships loosely

Evaluating Information

• Consider who provided the information
• Determine how close the record is to the event
• Compare details across multiple sources
• Identify patterns of consistency or conflict

Research Considerations

• No single record should be accepted without evaluation
• Even primary information can contain errors
• Secondary information can still be valuable when supported by other evidence
• Conclusions should be based on multiple sources