Follow the argument
The full paper explains each link, conflict, migration, and proof horizon in one continuous narrative.
A proof-controlled family history
What the Records Will Bear
The American family is substantially documented. The European origin story is not. This paper shows the evidence, the conflicts, and the exact places where the line remains open.
13,031words in the paper
47evidence entries
10public document exhibits
31 Jul 2026research cutoff
The governing finding
The line is strongest where the records agree—and most honest where they do not.
Vital records, censuses, wills, deeds, pensions, military files, directories, newspapers, and original parish registers establish a substantial four-line history. Several inherited extensions remain unproved because the identity bridge is missing.
Staley
Proof-ready later chain; visible earlier boundaries. Daniel Lawrence Staley is connected to Stephen and Ann by a paired-register argument. Jacob's 1793 will names son Stephen. The Wayne heir link is strong indirect evidence. Berkeley Jacob equals York Jacob remains a working hypothesis.
Europe
Original records corrected names and dates without proving descent. Meiringen records Hans in 1673, Gundershoffen records Jacob in 1709, and the 1732 entry is dated 20 January. None supplies the transatlantic bridge.
Konkle
Proof-ready through Simon and Cornelia. Simon's death record identifies Christian G. and Mary, but the late parent field and 1850 Wildman placement keep that generation open.
Cash
Proved through John as Henry's son. Henry's repeated childhood placement with Sidney/Cidey and Mary is a working hypothesis because the 1850 and 1860 censuses state no relationships.
Turnes
Aaron is named; Mary remains indirect for Henry. Pleasant's marriage and shared household strengthen the sibling cluster, while Henry's service record disproves the inherited Kelly's Ford chronology as written.
How to read the labels. “Proved” describes the evidence, not the importance of the person. “Open boundary” means the next relationship has not yet met the standard. It is a finding, not a blank to fill with a tree.
Three ways into the work
Audit the evidence
The evidence register maps every material claim to an item-level public-safe citation and stated proof limit.
See the records
The document gallery presents 10 public-release-safe exhibits with exact captions and boundaries.
Trace events through time
The chronology separates sequence from descent and shows when record forms begin to state relationships.