Down the Rabbit Hole ...

Lewis Carroll surely had family historians in mind when he wrote the classics, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. As with most things "genealogy," there is more to this story than might meet the eye.  

Like Alice, we follow White Rabbits 

Our White Rabbits are each a great hypothesis. For some of us, the clues come easily; hypothesis form quickly. I work on historic families; notes and hints might build up for years before a hypothesis seems worth the extended work. Regardless, once an attractive notion has formed, the White Rabbit is in sight and a trip to Wonderland begins.  Down the rabbit hole we go. 

"Alice in Wonderland," Wikipedia, cited as "Jessie Willcox Smith's illustration of Alice surrounded by the characters of Wonderland (1923)."

For those who love the quest, Wonderland is a playground. There are keys to find, doors to open; odd drinks and enticing cakes are served.  Magic mushrooms appear oft' in different source materials. One calls out, "Pick me," while another whispers, "Not him, I'm the real deal." Like a Cheshire Cat, though, blink your eyes twice and you will find there is little information in the source by which an identity could be known.   

Experimentation +1. My objective is to construct the framework of a family, often from low lying fruit found among the magic mushrooms. The framework typically extends to about 2-1/2 generations of relatives and some number of associates. At least at this point, I don't have an equal interest in all of those individuals. For now, some are like the supporting characters in Wonderland--I am learning more from them, not necessarily a lot about them. 

Even in Wonderland, experimenting can be messy business. More than one royal house of cards may come tumbling down before a picture of the family comes together. 

Things are a little more serious Through the Looking Glass. It is a logic laboratory. The source materials are of a higher quality, more diversified and/or advanced (my term). 

For me, the process is systematic--it takes a good plan to navigate the Jabberwocky through to the eighth row of the chessboard.  

My objective is to develop a theory of the case that will advance the work from a hypothesis to a conclusion.

Not every case is successful. But when the White Knight appears, and I step across the last brook, my hypothesis stays behind. A crown has appeared; I have a conclusion.  

Fields of information have been tamed; the magic mushrooms, mastered. I have evidence. 

Bring on the White and Red Queens. Let them confuse each other with this source or that. I am ready to present my case; I have a genealogical proof.  

Checkmate.

Once I have a conclusion, supported by a proof that is based on evidence, then it is time. I shake the cards off my face, leave the chessboard behind and return to the real world ...

...Where many things appear not as they should 

Sigh. Were the fantasy characters supposed to stay behind? Internet profiles about the historic families that I research are filled with Jabberwocky's slithy toves and beamish boys. There are too many Tweedledees conflated with Tweedledums, for no rhyme or reason. 

"Humpty Dumpty," Wikipedia, cited as "Humpty Dumpty as illustrated by W. W. Denslow in 1904"; annotated by GeneJ.

Fingers and toes at the ready! We could count all day and all night, the Humpty Dumpty-like broken profiles that are scattered about. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't repair the damage--how will we ever put them back together again? 

"But we must," I hear the Mock Turtle call out. "Do it for me. Remember, I was once real."  And, he chants

hypotheses and conclusions are like night and day,

information and evidence are different, I say,

a source and a proof, they don't work the same way.

Who's stealing the truth? Let the trial begin. 

"Gather the knaves," orders the Queen of Hearts. "There are rules. Discover who among them has not read the book."

One by one, the accused tell their story. "It's not me and, really, no harm has been done. I just gathered the leaves, now I'm chasing down leads." 

Inevitably, some begin to point the finger at one another. An anxious crowd awaits the Queen of Hearts' dreaded words, "Off with their heads." 

It is Alice who steps in with her voice of reason.  Confronting the Queen, Alice commands, "Stop this nonsensical inquisition!" 

"It's the chessboard that's broken, and Wonderland, too." 

hypotheses and conclusions are like night and day,

information and evidence are different, I say,

a source and a proof, they don't work the same way.

"If we are to become better genealogists, we need a better model."

So said A. C. "Tony" Proctor last spring.  Engineers know the system is broken. There are good engineering solutions for "what's needed." Some still insist it be "their way." Not knowing any better, an innocent knave might boldly suggest that a few engineers would like Wonderland and the chessboards reserved for their own work.   

Alas, those who write the books and teach the classes, they have a few guidelines, too. The knaves who buy the books and attend the classes will find expert tips often begin with (for good reason), "Move out of your software, and then ..." 

There is a better way. Let's work together.  

hypotheses and conclusions are like night and day,

information and evidence are different, I say,

a source and a proof, they don't work the same way.

http://fhiso.org/