Good story. Once a family researcher jumps to conclusions, those 'facts' are often set in stone. Or marble. How many times does a message board thread involve an inquiry about a grave marker inscription? You want to assume that if someone went to the trouble of placing a marker, the information on the marker is dead-right ;-) Well, it says he served in such-and-such regiment - can somebody locate the service record? It has to be there - doesn't it?

You know what? They're wrong as often as they are right. You're pleased to find an ancestor's pension application or death certificate that contains all this WONderful information. If you ever played the game, 'What's Wrong With This Picture', have fun with pension applications, death certificates and similar trusted documents.

A favorite movie (one that we watch at least once a year) includes a character in search of a great get-rich-quick product. His best idea so far is a Jump To Conclusions mat (see below). Something like it should be standard equipment for the occasional genealogist.

Here's a YouTube clip from the movie in which we first hear about the Jump To Conclusions mat. Forgive the language, please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxuTyXQHqkI