Evidence of the past is based on our perceptions, coupled with memoriesand introspection (i.e. thinking about our memories). In addition, wemay have as yet unsubstantiated beliefs we can call intuition. All ofthese combine to form what we think we know about our ancestry.
That area of philosophy that deals with the study of knowledge and justified belief is called epistemology.It is not my intention to delve into the realm of philosophy, but it isimportant for those practicing in a fact-based discipline likegenealogy, to take the time to analyze the basis for our beliefs aboutour family to the end of rejecting those portions of our justifiedbeliefs that do not comport with reality. "Justification is the reasonwhy someone properly holds a belief, the explanation as to why the belief is a true one, or an account of how one knows what one knows." Wikipedia.The real question is how do we determine a historical reality in lightof our human tendency to justify our beliefs and can we overcome thattendency?
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