How accurate are family history records?

Errors crept into historical records for many reasons. Some were simple mistakes, like a registrar mishearing a name, while others reflected the social norms of the time. An unmarried mother might have altered details to avoid stigma. A soldier might have lied about his age to enlist. Some ancestors were economical with the truth, for a wide range of reasons.  

While family history records are our most important tools, they must always be approached with a healthy dose of caution, as adding the wrong information to your family tree can throw your research off track.  

In census records, enumerators often misheard or misspelt names. Ages were often rounded, especially in early censuses, and relationships within a household were sometimes simplified. 

Within birth, marriage and death certificates, the information included depends on the knowledge of the informant. A grieving widow might give the wrong age for her late husband, or a bride might 'adjust' her age to appear closer to her groom's. 

Parish registers stretch back to the 1500s in England and Wales. While these are an important source for family history research, handwriting quirks, spelling variations, and Latin abbreviations can obscure meaning. 

In military records, soldiers occasionally falsified details – particularly ages or places of birth – to enlist or claim a pension. 

Old newspapers are fantastic for adding colour to your family tree - but use with caution, as they may have exaggerated stories, got names and dates wrong or lost key details during the digitisation process. 

Record-keeping has gotten more accurate over time, so the older a genealogy record is, the greater the chance of errors.  

This is particularly true for old censuses, in which people's ages were often recorded inconsistently. In the 19th century, census enumerators got the information to fill out the census return from the head of household - the head did not have to provide evidence of birth dates or other details, opening up the possibility of misremembering or deliberately misreporting ages.  

When conducting the 1841 Census, enumerators were instructed to round ages down to the closest five-year interval, so if you're searching for someone in the 1841 Census, be sure to include at least a five-year buffer.  

Family history records also vary by place 

The accuracy of genealogy records also varies depending on where your ancestors lived.  

In England and Wales, civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths became mandatory in 1837, but compliance in the early decades wasn't perfect. Scotland introduced a similar system in 1855, and Irish records began in 1864 (with non-Catholic marriages from 1845).  

In earlier centuries, records were kept at the parish level, where consistency often depended on the diligence of the local minister or clerk. 

Being aware of inaccuracies will allow you to correct your facts. Here's how to spot and correct factual errors as you're building your family tree. 

• Cross-check details. If a birth certificate gives one age, compare it with census entries, marriage records, or gravestone inscriptions to determine the most accurate age or date of birth. 
• Think about context. If you come across a discrepancy in the records, consider potential explanations for it. An understanding of historical context and genealogy records will help you here. For example, a labourer might have understated his age to enlist in the military during wartime. 
• Look at original images. Indexes can contain transcription errors, so viewing the original record may clarify the details. While deciphering old handwriting can be tricky, careful analysis can help you get your genealogical information straight. 
• Gather multiple sources. One record alone is rarely enough. The best way to protect your family tree against inconsistencies or errors is to build a full picture of your ancestry using a range of different resources, from parish records and censuses to historical newspapers. 

So, while family history records form the backbone of your research, they are far from perfect. Like ours today, contradictions were a part of the world that our ancestors inhabited. From spelling mistakes to not-so-subtle misrepresentations of the truth, all kinds of inconsistencies found their way onto the historical record.  

By noticing discrepancies, cross-referencing your sources and assessing genealogy records with a critical eye, you can find the accurate information you need for your family tree to thrive.