The essential lesson for all family historians is the necessity of doing one’s own research. Make the most of the family papers passed to you. Be grateful for, and give credit to, the work shared by other genealogists. But always do your own evaluation, seek out the original records, weigh the evidence, and come to your own conclusion. If you discover mistakes or issues, acknowledge the problem and address it. Explain your findings for the benefit of future researchers who will, in their turn, assess your contribution as they endeavor to explore the family history for themselves. Leave a legacy that helps rather than haunts your descendants.