When we first started our foray into genealogy, mistakes were made. Gathering a ton of evidence didn't mean a line was proven. We were working on our family tree well before 1997 to 2000 which was when the Board for Certification of Genealogist (BCG) was working on Genealogical Standard of Proof. The standards have been updated as new technologies, such as DNA, occur. Taken from their site, these are the standards:
Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS)
To reach a sound conclusion, we need to meet all five components of the GPS.
1. Reasonably exhaustive research.
2. Complete and accurate source citations.
3. Thorough analysis and correlation.
4. Resolution of conflicting evidence.
5. Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.
Time to check and see if my research from yesterday meets the GPS.
1. Did I "perform a reasonably exhaustive research?" The evidence needs to be evaluated as to: record source, information source, and types of evidence. Using just one type of evidence might not give an accurate conclusion. Answer: Yes
In my travels around genealogy blogs, I found the perfect tool for Analyzing Evidence. It's found at one of my favorite blogs: Family Locket. Being a Google Sheets user, I selected that option.
Time to fill in the Analyzing Evidence Sheet. Using Sheet 1, all of the data collected to answer the question was entered. (A sheet two was created using ALL of the research data found on Capt. William Odeon/Odean, which was used to answer Question 2.) Follow the previous link to see the complete evidence, etc.
2. Did I include "Complete and accurate source citations?" Yes. See the Analyzing Evidence Sheet. Also, listed below.
3. Did I reach a sound conclusion "Thorough analysis and correlation?" Yes. I used a variety of sources which correlated each other.
4. Did I reach a sound conclusion by the "Resolution of conflicting evidence?" Yes. Look at the Analyzing Evidence Sheet, I have struck out evidence found by others where a date was listed incorrectly.
5. Have I "Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence?" Yes.
Conclusion:
William Odeon/Odean of Elizabeth River, Lower Norfolk County, Virginia was a mariner. Careful analyses of a variety of records provide proof that he was Capt. of The Planter.
A record in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660 dated June 4, 1637 states: "58. List of names of the seamen in the Unity, William Upton, master, who Capt. John Hobson, one of the Council of Virginia, about to proceed to Virginia, desires may not be pressed." 1
Other researchers have the following information listed under William Odeon, this shows the names of the seamen mentioned in the source above:
1634
No date given: A List of Sea Men's Names which Capt. John Hopson one of his Maties Councell in Virgenia desireth
to be exempted from ye presse in Regard of his Present intended Voyage of Virginia in ye good ship
called ye Unity of ye Isle of Wyght" 2
This record is being discounted since there is not any definitive proof that the William Oden listed in this source is the one who had settled in Virginia by February 25, 1649/50 when he was mentioned in a court record. 3 From the time period 1637 to 1649/50 is quite a span. If other records are found tying him to Norfolk at an earlier date, then this could be important.
Court records from 28 April 1651 at the Court at James City, Virginia, first names the ship called the Planter and Mr. William Odeon being the master. (4) Continuing court records in Norfolk and Charles City, Virginia referred to "William Odeon, commander of the good ship Planter" (5), " Wm. Odian, mariner" (6), " the ship Planter Cap’t Wm Odean comd’r" (7). On December 14, 1658, in Charles City Court, supporting testimony was given by Wm. Hopper, Thomas Coolish, Thomas Crane, Anthony Wyatt, and Robert Wynn that they saw The Planter, "a sloop belonging to Capt ODeon" sink with all it load onboard. The ship sank because of bad weather and the violence of the ice in the harbor. (8)
In conclusion, William Odeon/Odean/Odian of Elizabeth River, Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, was a mariner and a ship's captain. He owned a sloop called The Planter. Eighteen different court records refer to him as Capt. William Odeon or William Odeon, mariner. The records from Norfolk County Courts are original documents which information was taken in real time and was microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Norfolk County Courthouse Portsmouth, Virginia. June 19, 1950. The Charles City Court records were taken from a derivate source in a book by Beverly Fleet. The evidence that he was a seaman under Capt. John Hobson has to be discounted until evidence can prove the William Oden referred to is the same William as above. The information at different sites saying the list was from 1634 is incorrect. The actual date was taken from a document published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1860.
1. "America and West Indies: June 1637," in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, ed. W Noel Sainsbury (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1860), 253-256. British History Online, accessed February 4, 2023.
2. Drake, Samuel G.. Result of Some Researches Among the British Archives for Information Relative to the Founders of New England: Made in Years 1858, 1859, and 1860: Originally Collected for and Published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, and Now Corrected and Enlarged. United States, Office of the New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Register, 1860.
3.Norfolk County Virginia, Deed Books A - C 1637-1656. Subtitles of sections: Deed Book A - 1637-1646, Deed Book B - 1646-1651, Deed Book C - 1651 - 1656. FHC microfilm number 32823, Family Group number 7676198, image 610 of 679. Deeds and Wills, V. A-C 1637-1656. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Norfolk County Courthouse Portsmouth, Virginia. June 19, 1950.. A-C 1637-1656. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, June 19, 1950.
4. Norfolk County Virginia, Deed Books A - C 1637-1656. Subtitles of sections: Deed Book A - 1637-1646, Deed Book B - 1646-1651, Deed Book C - 1651 - 1656. FHC microfilm number 32823, Family Group number 7676198, image 610 of 679. Deeds and Wills, V. A-C 1637-1656. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Norfolk County Courthouse Portsmouth, Virginia. June 19, 1950.
5. Norfolk County Virginia, Deed Books A - C 1637-1656. Subtitles of sections: Deed Book A - 1637-1646, Deed Book B - 1646-1651, Deed Book C - 1651 - 1656. FHC microfilm number 32823, Family Group number 7676198, image 610 of 679. Deeds and Wills, V. A-C 1637-1656. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Norfolk County Courthouse Portsmouth, Virginia. June 19, 1950.
6. Fleet, Beverley,. Charles City County court orders, 1658-1661. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Vol 12. https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1949959?availability=Family%20History%20Library
7. Ibid, p. 153.
Happy Hunting -- until next time.
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