HOW WE HANDLED DATE CONFLICTS |
|
The primary dates that we captured for any individual were birth, marriage, and death. Secondarily dates were immigration, military service, adoptions, and divorces. Ordinarily in the United States, the month will appear first, followed by the day of the month. In European countries, the day comes first and then the month. To avoid any misunderstanding, dates in the Johann Friedrich Heuer family book were written in the European way as day, month, and full year. Early registrations of births, marriages, and deaths occurred as a matter of convenience and without regard for timeliness. Often rural births or other registrations were brought to the courthouse by the local pastor when he had an opportunity to get to town. Since the records were handwritten, there was a chance for error. In today’s computerized, organized world, where we are on “data-overload,” it is hard to imagine that vital documents were not that important. It was only in 1907 that registrations were required by state law. |