Have you ever asked someone a question or said something to someone only to have their response make it clear that they did not understand what we said.
This is what happens when we look at censuses over the years and the answers do not add up, or when you look at a death, birth or even marriage certificate. If the individual gave an “off-the-wall” answers to the census taker, records clerk, or even when you ask a question, maybe you should rephrase the question(s) in a way that it could be understood. With records, it is after the fact. A person’s difficulty in understanding the question can be compounded by hearing difficulties, cognitive abilities, native language, and even age, etc. Do not assume that your relative really understood what they were being asked. Always note the citation with a note that the record(s) may contain vary information that does not fit the subject or information.
