Having piloted the reader safely hitherto, we must now faithfully warn against pernicious ways, even though it should involve criticism of many of the genealogical books which have appeared in print. The truth is that in the great majority of such works we look in vain for the proofs of the statements made.[Pg 30] Authorities are not given and we do not find systematic7 footnotes, nor even ordinary citations8 of authorities in the text. We have nothing better than our own guess to enable us to decide whether the compiler is giving us the fruit of original research, an extract from another compilation9, unsupported tradition, or a mere10 conjecture11.
This is most unfortunate, for a genealogical chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Suppose that we have tested one of the statements in such a book by our own original investigations12 and find it to be erroneous. How can we feel sure that the next statement may not be equally unreliable? The whole book therefore becomes discredited13 in our eyes. With genealogists everywhere at work, the errors in such volumes are bound to be discovered, and made public.
Any degree of confidence which we can allow ourselves in such cases depends upon the reputation of the compiler. But no man is infallible, and how can we know that the author's methods were such as to reduce his errors to a minimum? It may be that our own family line has been treated in such a book, that we have personal knowledge of the compiler, and are well satisfied as to his carefulness and accuracy. But can we expect others to have this same faith? How are they to be convinced that our family history is correctly given in a book of mere assertions, backed up by no display of authority?
Can a genealogist14 claim to be exempt15 from conditions which the greatest historians impose upon[Pg 31] themselves? Does a Gibbons, Macaulay, Guizot, Motley, Prescott or Bancroft expect to withhold16 the sources of his information and ask to be taken on faith? By giving the authorities for his statements, he proves instead that he has made proper researches, that his work is faithful, and that he can be trusted to draw judicious17 conclusions. We appreciate the great labor18 involved in compiling an authoritative19 work and understand the temptation to compile a book of mere assertions. But we see no honest escape from the obligation to give authorities, nor is escape desirable. For it is a sad fact that some, who support themselves by means of genealogical investigation, manifest no great anxiety to do honest work. They are careless in gathering20 their facts, and their pretence21 of having surveyed a field is no assurance that desirable data have not been overlooked or wilfully22 neglected. In compiling, they are equally slipshod. Their work is always set forth23 in the unauthoritative manner here condemned24, and it is most desirable that others should protect themselves from the outward appearance of a like carelessness by giving their authorities.
The extra work which the giving of authorities is supposed to entail25 is more fanciful than real. The failure to jot26 down the authority with each note made in our notebook, to remind us of the actual value of each item and to direct us where to go for its context or for reinspection, is probably a much more substantial cause of extra work. And there is no difficulty in[Pg 32] giving our authorities in the manuscript prepared for the press if this work of previous investigation has been properly done. We can appreciate the terror of the situation for one who has failed to note his authorities as he transcribed27 his extracts. After compiling his manuscript from his notes, must he go over the whole territory covered by his research in order to gather up the missing authorities? Unless he is of heroic mould, he will probably refuse to do so in despair!
Thus the reader can perceive the full importance of doing the work of investigation properly, as insisted upon in the preceding chapter. If he has done so, there is no difficulty in compiling an authoritative work. His note and the authority for it stand side by side, and as he uses the one he can instantly set down the other.
We have spoken of the legal method of investigation, and said that the genealogical investigator28 is like the lawyer who is getting his evidence together. But this having been done, there remains29 the preparation of the case for its presentation to the court. The work of the genealogical compiler corresponds to this. As the lawyer's brief compels the favorable decision of the judge, or as the logical presentation of the case convinces the jury, so should the argument of the compiler of family lineage convince the court of public opinion. His should be an historical document which carries its evidence upon its face. But if his method has been careless either in research[Pg 33] or presentation, the cross-examination of historical criticism is sure to tear the case to pieces. Although a temporary decision may be given in his favor, another investigator will eventually arise and question some of his unsupported statements. The whole case will thus be appealed, and a new investigation be called for.
It is perfectly30 true that a strictly31 legal method cannot be carried out in the printed volume. Original documents can be readily presented to an ordinary judge and jury and by them be carefully inspected. But when we present our case from the printed page, the whole world is the court, our readers the jury, and the printed volume itself both witness and advocate. The original documents, though we may have them in our possession, cannot be placed in the hands of every reader of a book. Therefore in compiling for publication, the historical method takes the place of a strictly legal presentation of the case. This method, as we have already seen, simply leaves out the feature of affidavits32 and certified33 documents, and substitutes that of references to the original authorities. It is the legal method adjusted to the conditions of publication.
The reward which flows from this method is easily seen. We cannot hope that our book will be flawless. Mistakes will occur, and it may transpire34 that some of our witnesses were misinformed. But what of this? If we have followed the historical method, the pointing out of an error in no wise invalidates our book.[Pg 34] One witness out of the hundreds we have called may be impeached35, but this only affects the single aspect of the case which rested on the testimony36 of that witness. The rest of the testimony stands unimpaired.
On the other hand, the historical method involves no undue37 severity in the character of our book. It need not be stiff and solemn and pedantic38. If we are gifted with a sprightly39 style, let us make the most of it. If we see a humorous side of things, let us entertain the reader with it. Even though one of our venerable forebears be the subject of the joke we need not hesitate. Could we appeal to him, undoubtedly40 he would smile with the rest and urge us to go ahead and make the book as bright and lively as possible.
If we have collected portraits, photographs of old homesteads, tombstones and churches where our ancestors worshipped, ancient documents and other heirlooms, these should be inserted or referred to in the proper places in the manuscript prepared for the printer. A genealogical work embellished41 with illustrations has its attractiveness increased many fold, and much can be accomplished42 in this direction without incurring43 a very great expense.
A truly interesting genealogical work is not a dry compilation of family statistics, but contains striking biographical pen pictures. Let these be made as complete as possible, and the story told with all the interest we can throw into it. We believe that the ideal genealogy44 is yet to be written, and that it will [Pg 35]present facts with the accuracy of a Bancroft, but clothe them with the charm of an Irving. What possibilities there are, and all in connection with a work which will hand down our name, wreathed with the memories of our ancestors, in a common halo of glory!
In view of what has been said it will be suspected that we do not look with much favor upon statistical45 tomes, with their hieroglyphic46 abbreviations, disconnected phrases, and other contortions47 of condensation48. This is certainly true. We would abolish all abbreviations in genealogical works if we could, and would have the story told in sentences framed in our mother tongue. We would have the book excellent in matter, pleasing in style and attractive to the eye.
In closing this chapter we may add that the service of the Genealogical and Biographical Department of The Grafton Press is intended to cover every phase of genealogical compilation as well as of genealogical research. The entire work will be undertaken—both the investigation of the family lines and the preparation of the manuscript for the press, or the data accumulated by others will be compiled. Manuscript which has been arranged but is not satisfactory will be rearranged and edited, or entirely49 rewritten, as desired.[3]
In the chapters which immediately follow, the subject of "compiling" is continued in connection with the two forms into which a genealogical work may be[Pg 36] cast. As we shall see, these forms are fundamentally so different in plan that the reader must make his choice between them at the outset. The great point before us in the present chapter is that of compiling so as to make an authoritative work.
FOOTNOTE:
[3] Address, on this subject, The Grafton Press, Genealogical and Biographical Department, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Estimates will be given on data or manuscripts submitted.
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1
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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emigrants
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| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
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mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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citations
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| n.引用( citation的名词复数 )；引证；引文；表扬 | |
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compilation
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| n.编译，编辑 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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discredited
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| 不足信的，不名誉的 | |
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genealogist
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| 系谱学者 | |
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exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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entail
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| vt.使承担，使成为必要，需要 | |
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jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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transcribed
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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investigator
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| n.研究者，调查者，审查者 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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affidavits
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| n.宣誓书，（经陈述者宣誓在法律上可采作证据的）书面陈述( affidavit的名词复数 ) | |
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certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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transpire
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| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
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impeached
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| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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incurring
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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genealogy
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| n.家系，宗谱 | |
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statistical
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| adj.统计的，统计学的 | |
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hieroglyphic
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| n.象形文字 | |
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contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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condensation
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| n.压缩，浓缩；凝结的水珠 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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