18 December 2014

Alphabetical Order Strips Clues

When looking at any original record, particularly one that has names in a list, analyze the other names on the list. Do the names appear to be in rough alphabetical order?

If so, the geographic clues inferred from "name proximity" really aren't there.

Unless people were living in approximate alphabetical order.

2 comments:

  1. Ain't this the truth!!

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  2. I have a love-hate relationship with those alphabetical lists. Hate 'em when I need to find neighbors and adult children. Love 'em when I need to find possible family members.

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