Mythology vs. Genealogy

During my research, I have come across “Mythology vs. Genealogy” victims who are spreading erroneous and undocumented information in regards to the Christman ancestors. One of the most spread and copied theories is the one that indicates who the parents are for Jacob Christman (c1711-1761) in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. I have found NO documents, sources or evidence that support this theory. In other cases, the information posted does not even make biological sense.

In the genealogy world of researchers for the truth, we do not accept hunches, myth's or "what someone states as fact” and then post it on the internet as a fact. Posting such unproven information on the internet as a stated fact without clear qualifiers indicating that it is just an unproven theory is very damaging to the search for the truth. Researchers then have to spend many hours tracking down the source of the theories posted as facts and try to correct the information on the internet.

Genealogical Standards & Guidelines Recommended by the National Genealogical Society.  Standards For Sound Genealogical Research “test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence, and reject those that are not supported by the evidence.” And “avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information.”

Code of Ethics and Conduct  Board of Certification of Genealogist: “I will not publish or publicize as fact anything I know to be false, doubtful, or unproven; nor will I be a party, directly or indirectly, to such action by others.”

Quote from a fellow researcher's website: "The problem with Genealogy is that it is an INEXACT hobby. We can ONLY research what is THERE--and when hard evidence stops, so do we. It is fascinating to delve into "maybe this, or maybe that," but we CAN NOT put forth as factual, things that are not."

Now, in saying all of this, I fully realize that research into the ancestry of Jacob Christman (c1711-1761) WILL continue--and it MUST. Reports of on-going research SHOULD be made public. I just wish it would NOT be stated, or implied, that mysteries such as this have been SOLVED. They will not be...not until HARD evidence is brought forth....

The Christman Y-DNA Genetic Genealogy Project is a new scientific tool that we are using to help resolve some of the various theories revolving around the Christman Immigrants,

A quote from The Christman Y-DNA Genetic Genealogy Poject Website: "While a surname itself usually can provide some general information about the origin of a family, DNA-testing can give us additional new, concrete, scientific evidence for identifying and separating family lines. Y-chromosome DNA testing is especially helpful because the male Y-chromosome is handed down, father to son, unchanged through the generations, except for rare mutations which, in themselves, can be helpful indicators of branching. These mutational differences can be used to sort related family lines into branches and of course can be used to sort the various Christman clans in the USA into those which are genetically related and those which are not. This is a great aide to traditional research as you will know which lines to focus on as being truly your own clan of Christmans. The accessibility and affordability of family DNA testing is doubtless the greatest technical advance in the history of genealogical research because -- at long, long last -- we have a tool to break down those brick walls! "

R David Christman