Is "Vollständige Genealogie des ... Geschlechts .. von Glasenapp" a reliable source?

Question

I found a digitized image of the book "Eugen von Glasenapp, Vollständige Genealogie des alt-hinterpommerschen Geschlechts der Erb-, Burg- und Schlossgesessenen von Glasenapp (Berlin 1897, Vossische Buchhandlung (Strikker))": http://www.digitale-bibliothek-mv.de/viewer/object/PPN786654465/1/ The questions is: can I assume it being a reliable source? 

On page 13 of part 1 (http://www.digitale-bibliothek-mv.de/viewer/image/PPN78665399X/25/) the author explains how he collected his information and names at least some of the original sources he used. Being a document of the 19th century, it does not quote the source in a scientific fashion like a modern research document would do.

But as the author states himself "Ein falscher Satz, der einmal durch ... nicht  genau geprüfter Urkunden in die Geschichte eingetragen [wurde], ist schwer wieder auszustreichen". This shows his awareness of the necessity of proper sources.

Can I consider this a proper source for pre-1700 and pre-1500 profiles?

Answer 1

The noble family Glasenapp is quite well documented in numerous sources, beginning with Willekinus dictus Glasenap documented in 1287. Eugen von Glasenapp is generally considered reliable but other sources should be used to document people as much as possible. Online sources:

• Genealogisches Handbuch der baltischen Ritterschaften.
  • Teil 1, 1: Livland. Görlitz 1929, S. 591–608
  • Teil 2, 3: Estland. Görlitz 1930, S. 367–368
  • Not online: Band 6 (Neue Folge), Hamburg 2016, S. 117–197
• Ernst Heinrich Kneschke: Neues allgemeines deutsches Adels-Lexicon. Bd. III, Leipzig 1861, online
• Gothaisches genealogisches Taschenbuch der adeligen Häuser Justus Perthes, Gotha 1904 S. 266ff., 1913 S.255ff

Not online but pretty much the definitive source for German nobility (if anybody has access):

• Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels. C. A. Starke Verlag, Limburg (Lahn).
  • Adelslexikon. Band IV, Band 67 der Gesamtreihe, 1978, S. 139–141.
  • Genealogisches Handbuch der adeligen Häuser A 10. Band 45 der Gesamtreihe, 1969, S. 75–109; B 9, Band 46 der Gesamtreihe, 1970, S. 189–192; A 21, Band 98 der Gesamtreihe, 1990, S. 158–181.

Addendum: While many 19th century/early 20th century genealogies published in the USA are highly dubious this is not necessarily so in European publications. In the USA the purpose was most often to concoct descent from some noble or otherwise important people, Europe was full of organizations of the nobility carefully monitoring such publications to make sure nobody "undeserving" encroached on their privileges. Doesn't mean fraud didn't happen, though.

Comments

I happen to own Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels. C. A. Starke Verlag, Limburg (Lahn). 1961: Vol 25 (Genealogisches Handbuch der fürstlichen Häuser, Band VI).  I can look up stuff if anyone needs it.

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Terrific, Helmut! Thanks a lot! And thanks for the other sources!

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Thanks for the offer, Robert. I've created a couple of Glasenapp profiles based on that book. I've marked dead ends with my private category "Category:Grindle-179_Loose_End". Maybe you can make some connections.

You could also cross-check some of the pre-1700 profiles. You will find them collected under https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:House_of_Glasenapp.

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I’ve sent you a Private Message about this.

Answer 2

It would certainly be a secondary (or tertiary) source, but not a primary source.  It is better than nothing, but probably should be supported by other sources.  Sometimes such sources are all you have at the start of research.

Comments

Being secondary or tertiary doesn't say anything about the quality, i.e. reliability.

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Absolutely true.  That's why it would be used as clues to locate primary documents.  But still it is better than a user-generated genealogy.  The writer used primary sources.

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So, would you consider it being reliable?

Answer 3

I have in Project Finland Reliable Sources stated:

Not even church books and other old documents are always correct. It is good practice to try find several sources to confirm the correctness of the data.

Under the reliable heading:

Published articles and books with sources cited. Publications through genealogical associations are often peer reviewed as well.

Older books, while generally well researched may have out of date data because of new research findings.

Under the unreliable heading:

Published books, articles and blogs that do not have sources listed.