Keep family memories and documentary evidence together

A memory preserves someone’s recollection and perspective. A record preserves a source that makes a claim. A conclusion is your assessment of the available evidence. Keeping those roles visible lets another family member understand—and revisit—your reasoning.

Oral history includes recollections shaped by personal and social context. Preserve the narrator’s meaning and discuss intended use and consent before recording or sharing. See the Oral History Association’s best practices.

This is a fictional teaching example, not research about a real family.

Memory

In a recorded interview, a relative remembers: “Rosa moved just before the winter of 1932.” Keep the recording, speaker, interview date and permission. The phrase “just before” is part of the recollection.

Record

A fictional passenger list dated October 1931 contains a similar name. Save its repository, collection, page, identifier and the relevant entry. A similar name alone does not establish that this is the same Rosa.

Current assessment

“A 1931 arrival is possible, but identification remains unresolved.” Keep the two dates visible. Record what would help: an age, travelling companion, destination or an independently identified source.

1. Add the interview or written recollection to Memories, with its contributor and context.
2. Add the document or citation to Records. Include the source location and exactly what you read.
3. Connect each item to the relevant person. Mark approximate dates as approximate and leave unknown details unknown.
4. Keep a note explaining the disagreement and the next research question. If source-review tools are enabled for your family, review the links and conclusions before accepting a change.

AI-assisted text needs comparison with the original. A fluent transcript or story is not another independent source. Correct transcription mistakes while preserving the source recording or scan.