Do you do descendancy research? If so, do you utilize the genealogical proof standard to research each of those descendants. I have to admit that when I’m researching descendants, I usually work thru Ancestry hints for each descendant and then move on. Thus, my research of the descendants does not meet the expectation of the genealogical proof standard.

As I was researching Elizabeth Ann Hubbard, possible granddaughter of James Evans and Sarah Garret, I came across a major discrepancy in those Ancestry hints. The database, Indiana, U.S. Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993 indicates that Elizabeth Ann Hubbard married Harry Smith Bates on 12 Jan 1865.

Another hint lead to the database, Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001. This record indicates that Elizabeth Ann Hubbard married Harvey Smith Bates on 27 Dec 1864.

Both records are for people of the same name. However, one record says they were married in 1864 while the other says they were married in 1865. At first, I thought the December 1864 record was for the issuance of the marriage license and that they were actually married on 12 Jan 1865.

Fortunately, these two databases include FamilySearch microfilm numbers. By looking up the FHL Film Number 001443636 in the FamilySearch catalog, I was able to find the original marriage license. And that original license answers some questions about the dates:

• License issued 27 Dec 1864
• Married 29 December 1864
• Certificate filed 18 Jan 1865

page 347
Harvey Smith Bates
to
Elizabeth Ann Hubbard

Be it remembered, that on this 27 day of December 1864, the Clerk of the Warrick Circuit Court issued a Marriage License, of which the following is a true Record, to-wit:

State of Indiana, Warrick County, SS:
The State of Indiana, To any person empowered by Law to Solemnize Marriage — Greeting:
You are hereby authorized to join together as Husband and Wife, Harvey Smith Bates and Elizabeth Ann Hubbard and of your Certificate of Marriage make due return within three months, according tot he laws of the State of Indiana.
Witness: Robert Taylor, Clerk of our said Warrick Circuit Court and the Seal thereof, affixed at the Clerk’s office in Booneville, this 27 day of December A.D. 1864
Robert Taylor
Clark Warrick C.C.
Be it further remembered, That afterwards, to-wit: On the 18 day of January A.D. 1865, the following Certificate was filed in my office, to-wit

State of Indiana, Warrick County, ss:
I, Solomon Rhoads hereby certify, that on the 29 day of December A.D. 1864, I duly joined in marriage Harvey Smith Bates and Elizabeth Ann Hubbard by authority of law, and of a License from the Clerk of the Warrick Circuit Court
Given under my hand, this 18 day of January A.D. 1865
Solomon Rhoads a
Minister of the Gospel

I do not know where the 12 Jan 1865 date comes from. However, I would not have figured out that Elizabeth and Harvey Bates were married in 1864 and not 1865 if I had not expanded my research to locate the original copy of the license. This is a reminder that one should go beyond the Ancestry hints and search for the original records.