Every week I meet one on one with students learning about evidence analysis. Some are sharper than others. Others cannot distiguish between sources and the information contained. Still others have no clue about the distinguishing factors between direct and indirect evidence. Most cannot grasp the notion of adequacy of certain bits of direct evidence they discover. New terms, new concepts casuse confusion. Elizabeth Shown Mills has prepared a nifty reference sheet, colorful, laminated and cheap entitled, “Evidence Analysis: A Research Process Map” published recently by the Board for Certification of Genealogists for about $5. Cheap like Doukhabor borcht, but worth your attention.
If you ever listen to my advice, listen to this: BUY IT. Maybe Elizabeth will buy me an icecream sundae with the profits.
Genealogy Education 
Just a little typo in the url. Here’s the correct one http://www.bcgcertification.org/
The Research Process Map is indeed a wonderful teaching tool defining the terms about sources, information, evidence and proof. It helps to define the process by which we analyze data in order to determine the truth. Elizabeth Mills created it for the benefit of the Board for Certification of Genealogists in their mission of continual education outreach about standards. She does not derive personal benefit from it. The process map is available on line at http://www.BCGcertification.org for $4.50 US or you can pick it up at various conferences from the BCG booth. The booth will appear at the Pennsylvania State conference, Sept. 29 & 30; Ohio Genealogical Society, April 12-14, 2007; New England Regional Conference, April 25-28; NGS in Richmond, VA, May 16-19; and FGS Fort Wayne, IN, August 15-18, 2007.
Mark Tucker, of ThinkGenealogy.com, has created a FREE Genealogy Research Map based on Elizabeth Shown Mills’ publications and examples. He’s consulted with her and others and produced another wonderful tool for family researchers. It is available at the following URL:
http://www.thinkgenealogy.com/2008/02/24/genealogy-research-map/
Happy Dae.
http://ShoeStringGenealogy.com