Case Study: Petronila de Moctezuma and the Rigor of Proof with EK Geneascore™ Genealogy

Case Study: Petronila de Moctezuma and the Rigor of Proof with EK Geneascore™

Despite speculative theories, the claim of direct filiation with the Mexica imperial house is not proven.

However, the archival reality is overwhelming, and no primary documentary evidence proves her parents.

When auditing Petronila de Moctezuma in EK Geneascore™, the system assigns the node a 32% confidence level.

Grade D.

Why does this happen when books and internet articles have been written about her?

• Citing books is not citing archives: Many secondary publications mention Petronila, but omit verifiable archival references or cite the speculations of third parties. In a scientific analysis, printed opinions lacking a supporting archival file do not add evidentiary value.
• The only solid document: The most relevant documentary pillar preserved to this day is a matrimonial dispensation of one of her great-great-granddaughters, which mentions Petronila’s marriage, but does not documentarily accredit her baptismal record or her maternal/paternal filiation.
• Critical missing pieces: As the audit report points out, her original baptismal record to establish filiation is missing, as is her death record or will. This case demonstrates the purpose of EK Geneascore™: it is not about invalidating research, but about identifying with precision what is missing in the documentary corpus to move from speculation to certainty and to build a clear list of pending tasks in the archives.

User Guide: How to Audit Your Lineage in EK Geneascore™

To subject your own ancestors to this filter of rigor, follow these steps.

Then calculate your Lineage Confidence Index (LCI).

1. Selection of the Ancestor and 3-Generation CanvasAccess geneascore.genuspedia.com.The system displays an interactive canvas of 7 nodes: the Principal Ancestor, their Parents, and their four Grandparents.
2. Assignment of Life Cycle PillarsFor each individual, select the documented events of their life:
   • Baptism / Birth: Mark if you possess a baptismal certificate or civil birth record.
   • Marriage: Mark if you have a marriage record or matrimonial dispensation file (expediente de información matrimonial).
   • Death / Will: Mark if you have a burial record or testamentary disposition.
3. Registry of Primary Sources and Archival CitationsAdd the documentary evidence that backs each event. Remember that the algorithm positively weights the inclusion of archival citations and penalizes abstract mentions of third-party trees.
4. Reading the LCI Heat MapThe system will automatically calculate the individual score and the Global Tree Average:
   • Grade A (80% – 100%): Proven lineage supported by solid primary evidence.
   • Grade B / C (50% – 79%): Acceptable evidence, with minor gaps to resolve.
   • Grade D (30% – 49%): Fragile evidence or reliance on secondary sources (Petronila Case).
   • Grade F (0% – 29%): Absence of primary proof or algorithmic speculation.
5. Download the PDF Audit ReportClick export to generate your Official Genealogical Evidence Report. You will receive a print-ready file with a list of Recommended Audit Steps (missing records, archives to consult, and citations to complete).

Settings Reminder:

Remember that in the upper panel of EK Geneascore™, you can select the language (Spanish / English) for the interface and for issuing PDF reports. Additionally, you have access to the Institutional Weights and Settings panel, where you can adapt the weighting and base values of each documentary variable according to the specific criteria or archival context of your research.

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