Where do you draw the line ?

[Iain...]

When can you accept an “Ancestry” line going back to the 13th century ?   I suppose the obvious answer is “it depends on what lies between”?   

My maternal Grandfather in Campbeltown Argyll has BMD details going back to Rathlin Island thanks to his 4xGr Grandmother b1747-1810, Antrim, Ireland.   
But as any university history student or Googler for that matter will tell you..., “you can get genealogical info from Adam and Eve to about the 16th century and for as long as you latch onto a well doccumented name, you can eventually fill the hole.”   
As such..., with next to no documented proof at the time for the “in-between” generations, how should this type of Ancestry tree be treated ?

[Ann Baker]

With extreme caution

Ann

[Iain...]

Hi Ann !   You are up early !     Thanks !

I suppose I could have added that there are many well known families such as the Royals who have cast-iron trees and linking on to them could be one way of going back. 

[Ruskie]

Ask the tree owner if they have documentary proof of each and every relationship? 

Try to check the tree, step by step, yourself? 

I wouldn't feel very confident accepting the claims. Unless your family was a prominent one, it is unlikely that they would leave any kind of paper trail back to the C13th.

[Iain...]

Where does the tree owner live? (The USA  )

Ask the tree owner if they have documentary proof of each and every relationship? 

I wouldn't feel very confident accepting the claims. Unless your family was a prominent one, it is unlikely that they would leave any kind of paper trail back to the C13th.

Thanks Ruskie.

In fact that’s what I intend doing..., but I was trying to fish around here to get some relevant points of view.

[Ann Baker]

Hi Iain

even if you have a 'gateway' ancestor it still has to be checked out to verify.

I agree with Ruskie  

Ann

[Iain...]

Thanks Ann !   I think you’ve given me the term needed for my contact letter..., “gateway ancestor.” 

The documented proof going back to Rathlin looks pretty solid so all it would need is a private family letter at the time indicating the link.       

[tedscout]

I'd love to ask them to prove this one

http://www.jesusevidence.org/gen.html

[Iain...]

I'd love to ask them to prove this one

http://www.jesusevidence.org/gen.html

WOW !