Some documents clearly state who was the informant. Many though do not provide this information. When considering the accuracy of information on any document, consider the probable informant and how likely they were to know the information being provided.
The information on a relative's death certificate was sorely lacking. Turns out the informant was the son-in-law.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was the informant for my his father. He was 62 ant the time and said that his dads father, Jonathan Brown and Mother, Sarah Quigal (sb Crego) were born in London Eng. when in fact they were born in Berlin N.Y. It really sent me on a while goose chase until I put some other facts together and found them listed in the N.Y. state 1855 census.
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