Berta E. Baker

Article summary

Elbertie "Berta" Colcord Baker (November 27, 1875 – May 4, 1964) was a North Dakota public servant and politician. She was the first woman to be nominated for statewide office in North Dakota. Baker served as the first female North Dakota State Treasurer from 1929 to 1932, and as the first female North Dakota State Auditor from 1935 to 1956. In total, she served in state office during seven different governors' administrations.

Key claims

1. date of birth: 1875 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of death: 1892 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of death: 1924 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of birth is "1875". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of death is "1892". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of death is "1924". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354839681