While circumstantial evidence is an important beginning, in order to arrive at something that can be given as a "fact," we must strive to do one of two things:

1) Build a very, very strong case with such a preponderance of circumstantial evidence that few other conclusions make sense, or

2) Use the circumstantial evidence as clues to find primary documentation.
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George,

I agree whole-heartedly with your above statements and also in the words of Dr. Charles Blockson "let us commemorate, not commercialize the story of the Underground Railroad."

I've researched the bed and breakfast, accepted as a safe-house only to find it wasn't built until 1872, the secret rooms of other accepted safe-house's only to find that the owners were distillers and were making whiskey illegally on the property.

On the other hand, I've seen the home of an AA family built in 1852 and used as a safe-house be marked for demolition because it hadn't been accepted, or known, as a safe-house until the use of your above rules were applied. Fortunately, that house was saved, is being restored and will be used as an Interpetative Center for the study of UGRR activites in this area.

My point is that while sticking with the proven methods of research is a must, the oral histories and other circumstantial evidence need not be so quickly cast aside. Let us all give the unwritten "facts" a chance and not be so ready to accept the written "myth".

We're on the same page....it does take time to build a solid case.