GENEALOGY DATABASE DISCLAIMER

We, at the genealogy department, believe in the science of genealogy. This means proving authenticity via actual source materials. We have been actively working on attaching source material to the individuals represented in our genealogy database.

Source material comes in various forms. Mostly likely and widely accepted sources include birth, baptism, death, marriage and burial records. Often these sources come from actual church registers. Others may be found at local or state level record offices. Our database lists each source we attach by name and provides either a transcription of the record, an active link to said record, or both. There are times when no actual record exists.

Very early dates come with their respective potential problems as it pertains to sourcing for validity. In dealing with Norwegian records, we are fortunate in that Valdres has excellent source materials available. Aside from the church books we may also use taxation lists, censuses, probate records, land purchase/sale records and, of course, the bygdebøker from each respective parish.

Our database also includes numerous lineages which extend far beyond what is known and believed to be valid as it pertains to actual source material. One example of this would be lineage linking to the Sagas and the old Kings of Norway. This data was entered many years ago by our original genealogist. It remains in the database as I do not feel it is my right to delete all of that work.

However, we need to be clear about this. The Sagas are tales and works of literature. There is no absolute or accurate way to sufficiently provide source material to anyone predating the early 1600’s in Valdres. It is not possible to connect, without the possibility of dispute, any lineage to actual persons listed in the Sagas. We understand that these stories or tales are just that. Tales. We do not make claims via the data entered in this genealogy database that we have the ability to connect anyone with any person named in the Sagas or anyone who predates the early 1600’s, for that matter.

TOM STANDAL

VALDRES SAMBAND GENEALOGY