Evidential Assumptions

One thing I often talk about to new people is the use of Assumptions.  We all know the saying "You know what they say about the word assume? ... It makes an Ass out of U and Me."... I have to disagree when it comes to genealogical research. 
Look, most of the time we are finding bits and pieces of information at a time. Occasionally all we will EVER have is a small glimpse, one or two documents and we have to base everything we know off of those few items. 
What I want you to do is be smart about your assumptions. Base the facts off of a logical timeline between those documents.  You MUST assume at some point in order to find information. Sure, sometimes we might assume wrong. It's a given in this field. Just make a note that this fact is being assumed and how you came to that conclusion. 

I want you to practice using the information you gather and fill in the blanks in between. If you only have two census documents 1860 and 1880, and you know they were in Topeka in 1860 and San Francisco in 1880 - and two children born in 1880, 1882 were listed as being born in Topeka, you can probably assume that this information is incorrect. Do you have a document showing it? No. But does it make sense? Nope. Could they have moved back to Topeka? Maybe. Maybe not. You don't know they did, you can only base the information on what you currently know, which is they were in San Francisco. 

Do I want you to always assume? No Ma'am! (or Sir). Use the facts first. Then use that brain the Creator gave you and fill in until you have evidence.  Practice makes perfect and unless you have a doc, you will HAVE to assume.  I am going to Assume you Enjoy your Adventures In Genealogy.