Re: How Accurate is the Louis Coffin book??

In terms of "the most info in one place," it is likely to be the best available.In terms of "are all the detail perfect," it is likely to deserve closer scrutiny.

Hey, Louis Coffin compiled this information 40-50 years ago from paper records, family recollections, and other similar sources.Paper sometimes gets messed up (if it exists at all) and people remember what they choose to remember.

I guess my point here is that you should never take any previous research as gospel unless you have doublechecked the sources and references.If you don't do that, don't complain about the details of some birth 400 years ago - the birth 100 years ago is probably more likely to be wrong!The exact date of Tristram's birth is totally irrelevant to all of us unless we are either anal-retentive or are planning to do additional research that will add to the body of knowledge regarding our antecedents.In other words, who the devil really cares . . .

If I were you, I'd take this book as the best thing you got at the present time.But remember that new research and new researchers will change some of these details, and remember that technology has done wonders in spreading both the truth and the lies. . . .

) >