09 October 2011

Sample Discrepancy Charts


These two sample discrepancy charts come from an article I wrote for Genealogy.com several years ago. 
Record
Birth date
Birthplace
Age
Informant
Information Type
John TRAUTVETTER death certificate, 1937
Not given
Alexandria, Missouri
Not given

Secondary
Ida MILLER death certificate, 1939.
1 April 1874
Adams County, Illinois
65 years, 2 months, and 22 days
Hospital Records
Secondary
Ida's Obituary, 1939
1 April 1874
Warsaw, Hancock, Illinois
65 years

Secondary
Marriage to George TRAUTVETTER, 1898, Hancock County, Illinois
Ca. 1874/1875 (estimated from age)
Iowa
23 years
Probably Ida
Secondary
Marriage to William MILLER, 1936, Hancock County, Illinois
Ca. 1873/1874
Lima, Adams, Illinois
63 years
Probably Ida
Secondary
1880 Census, Hancock County, Illinois
Ca. 1873/1874 (estimated)
Iowa
6 years

Secondary
1900 Census, Hancock County, Illinois
April 1874
America
26 years

Secondary

Seeking Birth Information: Case 2
The second discrepancy chart is for Ida's father, Ira William SARGENT. In this case, the birthplace, while not overly specific, is at least consistent. Based upon the records used in the chart, a reasonable birth date estimate would be between 1840 and 1845.
Record
Birth date
Birthplace
Age
Informant
Information Type
Death Certificate, 1916 Peoria County, Illinois
Ca. 1840/1841 (estimated from age-birth date not stated on record)
Unknown
75 years
Hospital records
Secondary
1880 Census, Hancock County, Illinois
Ca. 1844/1845 (estimated from age)
Canada
35 years

Secondary
1900 Census, Hancock County, Illinois
March 1843
Canada F.
57 years

Secondary
1910 Census, Peoria County, Illinois
Ca. 1841/1842
Not listed
68 years
Probably Hospital records
Secondary
1883 Marriage to Martha PHELPS, Adams County, Illinois
Ca. 1842/1843
Not listed
40 years

Secondary
Adams County, Illinois Poor House Records, August 1907
Ca. 1844
Canada
"about 63 years"

Secondary
Insanity Case, Adams County, Illinois, September 1907
Ca. 1843/1844
Not listed
63 years

Secondary
Insanity Case, Adams County, Illinois, September 1905
Ca. 1838/1839
Canada
66 years

Secondary