6. Verify Research Done By Others
It's hard enough avoiding your own mistakes, without having to worry about the mistakes of others as well. Publication - whether in print or online - doesn't make anything fact, so you should always take steps to verify previous research before incorporating it into your own.7. Rule Out the Other Possibilities
You know that your great-great-grandfather lived in Virginia around the turn-of-the-century, so you look him up in the 1900 U.S. census and there he is! In truth, however, this isn't him - just someone else with the same name living in the same area during the same time period. It is a scenario that actually isn't all that uncommon, even with names you might think are unique. When researching your family, it is always a good idea to check the surrounding area to see if there is someone else who could fit the bill.8. Turn to DNA
Blood doesn't lie, so if you really want to be sure a DNA test may be the way to go. DNA tests can't currently tell you who your specific ancestors are, but they can help narrow things down quite a bit. I've often considered a DNA test to confirm my descent from the William CRISP family that I've been researching for years, but there is also this little voice inside me worried that I might find out that I'm not!Kimberly Powell, About.com's Genealogy Guide since 2000, is a professional genealogist and the author of "Everything Family Tree, 2nd Edition." Click here for more information on Kimberly Powell.
