What to do about Multiple Sources for One Event

Sometimes our genealogy database is not completely clean and tidy. I might know a fact’s date down to the minute. I might not know the exact place an event took place. Different records that name our ancestors might give us different answers to a research question. So, what do we do? Enter all the different dates into our database? Pick the best one and ignore the rest? This is where following the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) helps us answer this.[1]

For a reminder, the GPS asks us to first do reasonably exhaustive research, while recording source citations for each item we find. We also must analyze each document and the information we find in the document to understand the source of the information. If we get conflicting information, and that is common when we find different dates for an event, we work at resolving the conflict, hoping to get close to the correct answer. And lastly, we write up our conclusions and share them.[2]

When we have multiple information pieces that give us different or conflicting information, we need to analyze and correlate the information. In analyzing the source, we choose the best source, such as original records created at or near the time of the event over sources created much later or by someone not familiar with the event.[3] We look at who provided the information and prefer those who had first-hand knowledge of the event.[4]

We are also looking for independence of information items. Different documents may have been created using the same information or the information came from the same person. After gathering all the documents and extracting the information, it is correlated looking for similarities and any inconsistencies. Some may be easily explained; others not so. If the conflicts can be resolved, then we can have proof. If then cannot be resolved, we have no conclusion yet.

Let’s look at an example of when we might have multiple dates for an event that need to be analyzed and any conflicts resolved before we can have a conclusion.

Seven documents have been found to document the death of Jeremiah (Jerry) Sullivan of Todd County, Minnesota. Do they all give the same date?

1. Tombstone photo at Find a Grave shows his death date as 6 November 1888.[5]
2. A newspaper article, dated 7 December 1888, reported the death as last evening.[6]
3. A newspaper notice, dated 8 December 1888, stated the death of Jerry Sullivan was on Thursday and the burial would be the next day.[7]
4. A newspaper article, dated 13 December 1888, reported the death last Thursday.[8]
5. A newspaper article, dated 14 December 1888, stated the death of Jerry Sullivan was on Thursday last.[9]
6. The family published a card of thanks on 15 December 1888.[10]
7. The probate proceedings for Jerry Sullivan, 31 January 1891.[11]

Let’s go through each one by analyzing the documents.

1. Tombstone photo

Find a Grave, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74707993/jerry-sullivan : accessed 12 Aug 2026), memorial 74707993, photo of marker for Jerry Sullivan (1811–6 Nov 1888), added by Jim Childers; citing Motley Public Cemetery, Todd County, Minnesota.

The transcription of the stone reads: “Jerry Sullivan / Died Nov. 6, 1988 / Aged 77, years / A native of Co. Cork Ireland”

Analysis: Jim Childers, who created the memorial, also uploaded the image of the stone on 10 August 2011. It is not known when the stone was placed in the Motley Public Cemetery located in Motley, Todd County, Minnesota, though it could have been within weeks of the death. It is a tall stone with four sides and the word Sullivan at the base, and a cross at the top. The inscription appears to be placed on the bottom block above the name Sullivan. The lettering on the stone is clear and doesn’t show signs of aging. The image of his wife’s stone looks similar and is likely on another face of this tall stone.

The stone is likely original. We don’t know the informant of the information on the stone, making this secondary information. This stone, however, directly gives the date of Jerry’s death as 6 November 1888. This could be correct or could be incorrect, with the stonecutter making an error.

Newspaper Articles
Let’s look at these articles with the earliest, or closest to the proposed death date, first.

2. “Warning Against Liquor,” The Minneapolis Journal, 7 Dec 1888, p. 5, col. 4.

Transcription:
“Warning Against Liquor. Farmer Jerry Sullivan Killed by the Cars Near Motley. Special to The Journal. MOTLEY, Minn., Dec. 7---Jerry Sullivan, a farmer living about four miles west of Motley, was run over and instantly killed by train No. 16, as it was approaching town last evening. The engineer saw the man while the train was still some distance away, but supposed he was a section hand at work, until he was so near that the train, which was a heavy freight, could not be stopped in time to prevent the accident. The deceased was 73 years of age, and one of the oldest settlers in this vicinity, having settled here in 1870, when the railroad was built. He leaves a wife and eight grown-up children, one of his sons being telegraph line repairer, with headquarters at Detroit. Deceased was an industrious man when at home on the farm, but he would occasionally get drunk when he came to town.”

Analysis: The article in the Minneapolis Journal, dated 7 November 1888, which was a Friday, stated the death occurred the previous evening, which would be 6 November 1888. Motley, Todd County, is located about 130 miles north of Minneapolis. One might wonder how the big city newspaper heard about this accidental death occurred in a very rural area.

Again, we don’t know who the informant was, so this is secondary information. However, the article was written closed to the event. The information about the accident may have come from the engineer, who was at the scene. The information about his family and how long he lived in the area is more suspect. Who provided the information?

3. "Killed By the Cars," Motley (Minnesota) Register, 8 Dec 1888, p. 5, col. 3.

Transcription:
“Killed by the Cars

     Such was the fate of Jerry Sullivan, an old settler in this vicinity, who owned a farm about four miles west of here and had started home Thursday afternoon under the influence of liquor. He had gone as far as the west switch, about half a mile from the depot, and there he stumbled and fell on the track just as freight train No. 16 was coming in from the west. At first the engineer thought he was a railroad man at work around the switch. He whistled, rang the bell, and then when the man didn't get out of the way, whistled again, applied the air brakes and reversed his engine, but it was too late to then stop the train, which was long and heavy, before it reached Mr. Sullivan, and he was mangled and mutilated in a frightful manner.

     San Francisco lives near by and had seen Mr. Sullivan come staggering up the track. When he heard the whistle he expected that the old man was in danger. He ran as fast as he could but the engine struck the unfortunate man while San was yet four or five rods away.

     A broken bottle was found beside the track near the place of the accident.

     The remains were brought to the depot and the Todd county coroner, J.J. Cates, sent for. He arrived yesterday, looked the ground over, heard the evidence, and decided that an inquest was unnecessary.

     Mr. Sullivan was nearly 75 years old, a native of Ireland, and came to America 27 years ago. He was formerly a miner, but settled on a farm near Motley about 18 years ago, when the Northern Pacific railroad was built through here. He was a strong, hard working person for one of his years, and a good citizen. But he had a raging appetite for strong drink, and could not overcome it. His folks had notified all the saloon keepers of Motley not to give him any liquor, but he obtained it nevertheless and the consequence is only was has long been feared.

     The deceased leaves a wife and nine children, three girls (Mary, Julia and Johanna, all married) and six boys (Eugene, John, Dan, Jerry, Peter and Michael).

     Funeral will be held to-morrow, and the remains interned in the cemetery at this place.”

Analysis: Thursday afternoon was December 6. This paper was published on 8 December, a Saturday. Again, we have no informant. A newspaper reporter, who is not named, likely spoke to more than one person to write the article: someone close to the accident and someone close to the family, as there is information about both the accident and the family.

The information is all secondary, but the information about the accident is consistent with the newspaper article in the Minneapolis paper, and likely from the same informant. The information about the family differs slightly from the previous article, in the number of children left.

4. “Local Brevities,” Wadena (Minnesota) Pioneer Journal, 13 Dec 1888, p. 4, col. 2.

Transcription:
“Jerry Sullivan, aged seventy-five, living four miles west of Motley, was killed by the cars last Thursday afternoon. He leaves a wife and nine children. He was buried Sunday.”

Analysis:
Wadena is about 25 miles from Motley. The article is a brief accounting of the accident. The paper gives the date as last Thursday. The date of the paper was Thursday, December 13, so, last Thursday would have been December 6. It is unclear how this newspaper got the news. The information would be considered secondary.

5. “A Good Temperance Lecture,” Brainerd (Minnesota) Dispatch, 14 Dec 1888, p. 1, col. 4.

Transcription:
“A Good Temperance Lecture

The Motley Register says that Jerry Sullivan, an old resident in that county, was killed by the cars on Thursday last. He was under the influence of liquor and had gone as far as the west switch, about half a mile from the depot, and there he stumbled and fell on the track just as freight train No. 16 was coming in from the west. At first the engineer thought he was a railroad man at work around the switch. He whistled, range the bell, and when the man didn't get out of the way, whistled again, applied the air brakes and reversed his engine, but it was too late to then stop the train, which was long and heavy, before it reached Mr. Sullivan, and he was mangled and mutilated in a frightful manner. Mr. Sullivan was nearly 75 years old, a native of Ireland, and came to America 27 years ago. He was formerly a miner, but settled on a farm near Motley 18 years ago, when the Northern Pacific railroad was built through here. He was a strong, hard working person for one of his years, and a good citizen. But he had a raging appetite for strong drink, and could not overcome it. His folks had notified all the saloon keepers of Motley not to give him any liquor, but he obtained it, nevertheless, and the consequence is only what has long been feared.”

This newspaper appears to be repeating something they received secondhand, either directly from a reporter from the Motley Register, which I transcribed above, or by reading the newspaper and copying the information.  The distance between Brainerd and Motley is about 25 miles. This is a derivative source with secondary information.

The stated death occurred Thursday last. Since this was printed on Thursday, December 14, Thursday last would have been the 6th, agreeing with the previous sources.

6. “Card of Thanks,” Motley (Minnesota) Register, 15 Dec 1888, p. 5.

Transcription:
“We desire to sincerely thank the friends and neighbors who were so kind and helpful and willingly did everything in their power to aid us during our recent bereavement. Mrs. Mary Sullivan and Family.”

Analysis
This was published in the local newspaper on Saturday, December 15. A card of thanks is published after the death and after the funeral. So, this is indirect evidence that the death took place before December 15. It does not give information about when the date of death. The informant is Mary Sullivan. It does not give a relationship to the deceased or even names the deceased. None of the above newspaper article named Jerry’s wife. Only the Find a Grave memorial had a link to his wife, Mary Sullivan.

7. Todd Co., Minnesota, Probate Court, petition for letters of administration, Jerry Sullivan, case no. 174, 1891; Minnesota Historical Society, "Case files 1867-1980,"film SAM 221, roll 2.

Transcription:
“Petition for Letters of Administration.

State of Minnesota, County of Todd SS In Probate Court
In the Matter of the Estate of Jerry Sullivan,deceased }
To the Probate Court in and for said County:
The Petition of Jerry Sullivan of the Village of Detroit in the County of Becker and State of Minnesota, respectfully shows that Jerry Sullivan who was at the time of his death, a resident of the town of No 131 of Range 32 in the County of Todd and State of Minnesota, died on the Sixth day of November A.D. 1888, at the town of Motley in the County of Morrison and State of Minnesota, leaving estate therein, and without leaving any last Will and Testament, to the knowledge, information or belief of your petitioner.
That the names, ages and residences of the heirs of said deceased, so far as known to your petitioner, are as follows: Mary Sullivan wife of deceased Mary Sullivan daughter of deceased age 47 years resides at O’Neal City [O’Neill],Holt County state of Nebraska Julia Murphy aged 44 years resides Atlantic Mine State of Michigan Eugene Sullivan aged 40 years resides at Motley Todd county Minn John Sullivan aged 38 years of Anaconda Montana Johanna Sullivan age 35 Motley Minn Jerry Sullivan age 32 ?? Detroit Minnesota Dan Sullivan age 30 ?? Minn Peter Sullivan aged 28 years residence unknown Mike Sullivan aged 26 years ?? Montana. [The space for these names was only seven lines long and the last six names were crammed in the space between paragraphs.Written very small, and hard to read. Should try to order from court (or who has the original books) a copy from the page.]
That the probable value of the personal estate is Two Hundred dollars; and the probable value of the real property is Two thousand dollars,and its character is as follows: realty 300 acres of land 3 miles west of Moltey in Todd County SE1/4 of sec 10 town 133 of Range 32 and fraction attached that Lot ?7 of section 10—183—32, 31 27/100 acres.
That the name of the person for whom administration is prayed is Mary Sullivan widow of deceased and her address is Moltey Minnesota
Your petitioner therefore rays that Letters of Administration of the estate of the said intestate be granted to the said Mary Sullivan widow of deceased.
Dated the 31st day of January AD 1891.
(signed)Jerry Sullivan Jr.

State of Minnesota, County of Otter Tail SS
Jerry Sullivan Jr. the person who made the foregoing petition, being duly sworn, says that the same is true, to his own knowledge,except as to those matters stated on his information and belief, and as to those matters that he believes them to be true.
X Jerry Sullivan Jr.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 31st day of January AD 1891.
Chauncy L Baxter, Judge of Probate. ^Notary Public, Otter Tail Co Minn.^

Filed 23rd day of February AD 1891 D.A. Rufts, Judge of Probate”

Analysis:
This is an original record, created at the time the probate was initiated; however, it was over two years after the death of Jerry. The record directly gives the date of 6 November 1888. The informant was Jerry Sullivan, Jr. Even though this proceeding occurred over two years later, the date agrees with the other sources. Jerry Sullivan, Jr. knew the date of death.

Correlation
To correlate all the information, we can create a table.

Correlation of Information for Death of Jerry Sullivan
Date of Death Given/Calculated	Name of Source	Date of Source	Day of week of Newspaper	Information
6 Nov 1888	Find a Grave tombstone imagea	unknown	---	Exact date
Thu, 6 Nov 1888	The Minneapolis Journalb	7 Dec 1888	Friday	Last evening
Thu, 6 Nov 1888	Motley Registerc	8 Dec 1888	Saturday	Thurs afternoon
Thu, 6 Nov 1888	Wadena Pioneer Journald	13 Dec 1888	Thursday	Last Thursday
Thu, 6 Nov 1888	Brainerd Dispatche	14 Dec 1888	Friday	Thursday last
Not stated	Motley Registerf	15 Dec 1888	Saturday	Not stated
6 Nov 1888	Todd Co, Minn. probateg	31 Jan 1891		Exact date
------------------------ a. Find a Grave, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74707993/jerry-sullivan : accessed 12 Aug 2026), memorial 74707993, photo of marker for Jerry Sullivan (1811–6 Nov 1888), added by Jim Childers; citing Motley Public Cemetery, Todd County, Minnesota. b. “Warning Against Liquor,” The Minneapolis Journal, 7 Dec 1888, p. 5, col. 4. c. "Killed by the Cars," Motley (Minnesota) Register, 8 Dec 1888, p. 5, col. 3. d. “Local Brevities,” Wadena (Minnesota) Pioneer Journal, 13 Dec 1888, p. 4, col. 2. e. “A Good Temperance Lecture,” Brainerd (Minnesota) Dispatch, 14 Dec 1888, p. 1, col. 4. f. “Card of Thanks,” Motley (Minnesota) Register, 15 Dec 1888, p. 5. g. Todd Co., Minnesota, Probate Court, petition for letters of administration, Jerry Sullivan, case no. 174, 1891; Minnesota Historical Society, "Case files 1867-1980,"film SAM 221, roll 2.

The best way to correlate all the information is to put it into a table. Seeing all the information put together shows the five documents agree on the date. None of the documents give us the informant. That would be more important if there had been a conflict. It is possible that the newspaper reporters shared the information. Possible informants were the train engineer, a train dispatcher, or some other railroad employee. The information about the life of Jerry likely came from family or people who knew them closely.

My conclusion based on these seven documents, that Jerry Sullivan of Motley, Todd County, Minnesota, died by a train accident on Thursday, 6 November 1888.

Summary
Whenever you have multiple documents about a single event, it is important to analyze them individually first and then correlate the information. Tables are a useful way to see the information all together. Either the information will agree, or you will see conflicts. If I were to analyze all the documents that point to when Jerry was born, we would have conflicts. The tombstone shows 77 years old, and the newspaper articles gave 75. Census records give other ages. It would be necessary to conduct this same analysis and correlation to try to resolve the conflict. What I might end up with that he was born between 1810 and 1815, as that is the best the sources can tell me.

Next time you have multiple documents about an event, take the time to analyze each and then correlate the information by putting it in a table.

Pixabay

#52Ancestors: Week 33 – Multiples

This is my ninth year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/) at Generations Cafe. I write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or My Trails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

---

[1] “Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS),” Board for Certification of Genealogists (https://www.bcgcertification.org/ethics-standards#genealogical-proof-standard-gps : accessed 12 Aug 2026). Use the Ethics & Standards tab to view the GPS.

[2] Board for Certification of Genealogists, Genealogy Standards, second edition revised (Nashville, TN: Ancestry, 2021).

[3] Genealogy Standards, standard 38, Source preference, 23.

[4] Genealogy Standards, standard 39, Information preference, 24.

[5] Find a Grave, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74707993/jerry-sullivan : accessed 12 Aug 2026), memorial 74707993, photo of marker for Jerry Sullivan (1811–6 Nov 1888), added by Jim Childers; citing Motley Public Cemetery, Todd County, Minnesota.

[6] “Warning Against Liquor,” The Minneapolis Journal, 7 Dec 1888, p. 5, col. 4.

[7] "Killed By the Cars," Motley (Minnesota) Register, 8 Dec 1888, p. 5, col. 3.

[8] “Local Brevities,” Wadena (Minnesota) Pioneer Journal, 13 Dec 1888, p. 4, col. 2.

[9] “A Good Temperance Lecture,” Brainerd (Minnesota) Dispatch, 14 Dec 1888, p. 1, col. 4.

[10] “Card of Thanks,” Motley (Minnesota) Register, 15 Dec 1888, p. 5.

[11] Todd Co., Minnesota, Probate Court, petition for letters of administration, Jerry Sullivan, case no. 174, 1891; Minnesota Historical Society, "Case files 1867-1980,"film SAM 221, roll 2. 

Copyright © 2011-2026 by Lisa S. Gorrell, My Trails into the Past. All Rights Reserved.