Advice before editing this pre-1700 Osborne profile?

Question

I have information to contribute to the profile of Jonathan Osborne. This is what I can add: 

Can we add {{One Name Study|name=Osborn}} ?

These are the sources I am using:

Should I contact one of the pre-1700 projects or know about any style guidelines before proceeding? Thank you!

Answer 1

Kim, I am retagging your question to include US Southern Colonies so more eyes see this. I question whether it is wise to include someone whose existence is seriously questioned and under review in a one name study. Perhaps the USSC Leader can weigh in on that but I would advise against it as part of the managed profiles team.

Comments

Todd, thanks. I was thinking that if he was part of the study it would help clear up the mystery.

What is the purpose of surname studies?

Learning everyday. Kim

---

If I opine on the purpose of one-name studies, three dozen people will argue about what I write while expressing no less than six dozen opinions. So, have a look at what the Guild of One Name Studies has to say about them here. It's an interesting site which you may find useful.

Answer 2

Hi Kim,

I would agree with Todd.  There are no reliable sources that indicate Jonathan Osborne ever existed.  I don't see why members of a one-name study would want to add a possible/probable fictitious person to the study.

Comments

Okay, no sources say he existed...except I can see a trail from my and my Mothers DNA test showing up on the pages of Osborne-1310 , Osborne-2384, Osborne-159 ...3 generations. I do not know very much about DNA evidence (need to learn). How do I square this with a fictitious person? 

Kim

---

Kim, all that means is that you have connected your mother's profile to those people.  It doesn't mean anything as far as whether a person existed or shares DNA.  I could create a completely fictitious profile for someone (let's call her Susie Homemaker), and then connect myself back to her through my ancestors (i.e. change a great-grandmother to be Susie), and my DNA test would show up on her profile.