Genealogists' most hated phrase

[fifer1947]

There is one phrase guaranteed to annoy me when associated with published family trees and genealogy.     It has to be the biggest turn off to anyone with a serious interest in their family genealogy and social history.

What is it I hear you ask? When this phrase appears in a family tree my brain shuts down!

"MOST LIKELY"

So come on what's yours? 

[jaybelnz]

Possibly
May be
Could be
Thought to be

Unconfirmed

I've put them together - cos they're all the same   

Reminds me of ads that say things like "may remove your wrinkles and give you younger looking skin IN JUST 7 DAYS!  Aw Bunkum!!

Yours is more a positive post than mine fifer   

Jeanne

[oldfashionedgirl]

The words that scunnered me   were "not known" or"_________" 

Having followed several lines back and getting stuck, then when a penny drops and I realised how to move it on only to have a parent or wife/husbands name not known.

These were the most fustrating words i've come across 
 

[ambers]

The words...Can you open your Tree to me without even stating a possible connection. they don't even deserve a reply

Possibly,May be,Could be,Thought to be,Unconfirmed

Sometimes I prefer to read these words than be left to assume that they had actually done some  re-search and not copied from someone else's Tree what they thought would fit...all confirmed of course!

Ambers

[jaybelnz]

Of course Amber - very true, and you're right.  And it does sometimes give a clue that we pursue further anyway !~  Bit of a sign post perhaps.  That's good!! Thank You!

Jeanne 

[majm]

An experience !

1. Are you related to John Smith, his wife was Mary.  (I replied, please provide some dates, places, children ... you all know the usual proper questions)
2. My John Smith was born in 1703 and he married Mary in 1707.  She was born in 1709.  They had 38 children and then Mary died in 1692.  (I replied, those dates do not make sense, cannot see any possible connection)
3. Are you sure you are not related to my John Smith.  (I tried explaining that a person cannot marry AFTER they have died, and noting the bride and groom were very young)
4. You are wrong, they married young in those days.  Lots of people died in 1692.  (Silly me, I tried again)
5. You are still wrong.  Mary died, then John died, then their kids died. (I tried once more)  
6. Certificates are only pieces of paper.  You need to have your head read.  (I decided to stop trying)

Any wonder I don't have any trees online anymore !

Cheers,  JM

[ambers]

Thanks jaybelnz

I didn't mean to appear to put your wording down  if it reads like that

I am very guilty of using the term Not Known, but it's because I really don't know without spending a fortune on certificates for someone ten times re-moved or the like.

Ambers

[ambers]

Hi majm,

That's the best laugh I have had for a long time.

You deserve ten out of ten for patience.

Ambers

[majm]

Agh, but I do know who my own John and Mary Smith were, and I do have certificates, and I even have certs that are NOT for them, (my wallpaper certs) and at least I can establish who John's parents and siblings were, but as for Mary .... oh her parentage is still a fairly well constructed brickwall ... she told some fibs ....

Cheers,  JM