In re: sources giving info about how old a song might be.

As a friend of a number of Lomaxes, I was present once when a group of them discussed a particular little song ("All The Little Chickens In The Garden") and how they knew it. Whose mother had taught it to the older members in the room? When? Which grandparent had she gotten it from? When? Which aunt had he learned it from? When? What had she told him about when/where she had learned it? They worked with pencil and paper and finally had a guaranteed 120 year (to that point) stretch of time that someone in their direct bloodline had been singing that song and teaching it to others. That they were sure of....This happened before I married Hubby (in 1966), but I'm not sure how long before.
Guest Joe F., I hope you are coming to Getaway. I enjoy reading your posts.       Tw