A NOTE from this genealogist! The debate: I posted this information because I try to look at it from both sides.. I by no means am a professional genealogist, nor profess to be.. it is an enjoyable hobby for me.. a legacy of sorts if you will, to pass along to my children, to help others if I can, yet to also get me through the tough times and rough spots in life. We all have them. For me, it's keeping 'connected' which means, staying SANE! IF I find more direct descendency on the way, which I have! Double the bonus! I have definitely run into many more appreciative people than I ever have of the bickering types.. if they don't like me, fine, I can deal with that.. but trust me, I am not the only source of info in this world to those that care to stay informed... Nor do I proclaim to take credit for what information I do find/acquire/share like others have with me along the way. If I have forgotten a source along the way, gee, forgive me before you shoot at me.. I am merely human too.. with a family, a life, other things to do... a hobby is exactly that.... a HOBBY! What a concept eh? And hey, you can always communicate that to me! So before you shoot bullets, remember not to sweat the small stuff or you'll die sooner, then you become a statistic vs. making a difference! * * * * * That said, read on.... If you care to! * * * * * RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's Weekly E-zine Vol. 7, No. 4, 28 January 2004, Circulation: 884,399+ (c) 1998-2004 RootsWeb.com, Inc. http://www.rootsweb.com/ * * * Editor: Myra Vanderpool Gormley, Certified Genealogist Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com Certification: http://www.bcgcertification.org/certification/ 7. FROM ROOTSWEB REVIEW'S BOTTOMLESS MAILBAG [Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the editor or of RootsWeb.com]. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. FROM ROOTSWEB REVIEW'S BOTTOMLESS MAILBAG [Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the editor or of RootsWeb.com]. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Using Note Features By Diane Delbridge dlddvm@ix.netcom.com To the lady, and others, afraid to post their GEDCOM for fear it is not complete, or properly documented, etc. One thing I haven't heard mention of is the notes feature of most genealogy programs. Even if you don't have a death record, if Aunt Tillie remembers the date first hand, you can write that into the notes section until you can get the proper document. If you have conflicting data, use the notes to write what each source says, and perhaps to discuss which one you believe and why. Maybe write what other sources need to be checked. If circumstantial evidence leads you to believe that Henry Doe is John Doe's father, spell it out and give your reasons. The notes features are great for thinking out loud so others (and yourself four months from now) can tell what is proven, what is likely, and what further research needs to be done. Perhaps someone else will even have a clue that helps complete your argument on a point you are unsure of. There is nothing wrong with saying you aren't sure when you aren't sure. The problem lies in making suppositions you cannot support and passing them off as fact. So put in a bunch of notes, and put that stuff online where others can find it! * * * Giving Attribution By G. David Thayer gdthayer@proaxis.com There are often valid reasons for not including your notes or sources, as some readers have stated. Those who wish to upload files like that are certainly welcome to do so. Some of us may use such files, at least occasionally, and some may not. But those files are far from worthless. (The word "junk" in my previous letter was ill-advised and is a good example of the truth of the old adage that "haste makes waste.") Even a tentative clue is better than staring at a blank wall. There is, however, no excuse for using someone else's compiled data without attribution. This can make it appear that a number of researchers have come up with the same facts, whereas the truth may be that they are all derived from the educated guess of one person. (This is often revealed by, e.g., a misspelling that occurs in the same place in a dozen databases.) * * * What Tangled Webs We Weave... By Jane Kowalski mothergoosemagic@yahoo.com I've been following the "Great Documentation Debate" with some interest. And it's easy to have sympathies in both directions. I'm a stickler when it comes to authenticated records, but sometimes there simply IS no documentation other than the venerable "family source." I've also run into a situation where I've had five different birth dates for the same person -- ALL documented by government agencies. Don't even get me started on what people tell the census collectors. What to do? Include everything you can reasonably verify, but let folks know where you got the information. If you don't have a piece of paper, say so. And if you have conflicting pieces of paper, say that, too. And lighten up, folks. Genealogy ought to be something to enjoy, not to go to war over. * * * Clueless Newbie Learns Hard Way By D. L. Clark dlsclark@otelco.net I read with interest the letter from the new genealogist who was discouraged about putting her information on the Web. Let me make you feel better. When I first started my family line I started out with no knowledge of how to proceed and a new genealogy software program. I put thoughts, personal notes, incorrect information, everything on the program (using it like scrap paper), since my handwriting is terrible and I often can't read what I write. A screen popped up wanting me to post my information to the Net and I, being clueless and excited, hit "yes," thinking it just meant the names and dates and that I could then pick and choose what went on the website. As it turned out, everything went on the website and I couldn't get it off, all I could do was add to it. After I tried contacting the Web host and couldn't get a response, I was embarrassed and ready to quit, but the genealogy bug had already bitten me. So I contacted as many family members as I could about my personal notes and bad information to fore- warn them and put disclaimers on the site begging forgiveness for my ignorance. As far as I know it's still out there -- somewhere and no one has complained. (Although many have contacted me saying it gave them a good clue.) If anyone wants to post it as the "gospel," let them take the heat for not checking it out (my family sources were wrong more often than right!). Have fun with your work and don't be afraid to share, it could never be as bad as what I've already done. * * * Kind Souls Outnumber Cranky By Deborah Sweet DeborahSweet@msn.com I'm sure Saundra ("Discouraged by Criticism") received many messages, and I would like to add my encouragement. Do not be afraid to post your information. It is valuable to others, regardless of any errors it might contain. Any real genealogist knows they must check all facts and document all information themselves . . . For most of us, this is a hobby, not a full-time job. We do it to the best of our financial and time-constraints abilities. Don't be discouraged by the naysayers. I've been doing genealogy for more than 30 years, have been online for about 10, and I, too, stumbled around at the beginning, but I learned. The kind souls of the genealogy community far outnumber the occasional cranky people, and their generosity and willingness to share and help are gifts that should not be undervalued. Most of us haven't forgotten that we were once "newbies" and that others further along the path gave us a hand up. I still don't know everything -- who can? That's why certified genealogists have specialties. After you post your GEDCOM and the first long-lost cousin contacts you to say "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" or someone tells you that your information allowed a breakthrough of a brick wall, or that they would never have known of their heritage -- those are rewards that cannot be measured. So never, ever, give up! Let us know what you've found, so that we can all, once again, be reminded that it is truly a small world, and that we are all connected to each other by a thread that runs through time, space, and bloodlines. * * * Just Proliferating Errors By Jeff Owens owensj@epix.net "The people who chronically complain about others just copying names from various databases, without documentation, miss the point. If just one of those so called "error filled" databases can lead me or another genealogist to a relative, it is well worth it." The problem with this discussion in snippets of e-mail in the Rootsweb Review is that the subject is approached haphazardly and piecemeal. Specifically, most comment on the matter anecdotally which does not really address the process of searching these databases with the goal of statistical success prediction as a reality. The fact is the more errors that proliferate, the more unlikely one is find something useful. This is statistical reality. With nothing within these substandard databases to make any determination of fact included, one has to engage in a possibly lengthy process to determine if the material is good or not. There is only so much time that can be spent searching, and one must apply that in a prudent manner if you wish to have more than only one "special discovery" every six years. It becomes a matter of too much chaff to sort through to find that one grain. Secondly, replicating a database time after time by each person who tacks on these poorly documented trees seems to have an effect of yielding credence simply by repetition. The false data may be repeated 10 times, and the correct fact may appear only once. Lazy researchers go for highest proliferation, not trying to substantiate either possibility. Yes, the Internet has greatly enhanced the ability to search, but its online content has increased geometrically, and unchecked data will ultimately be overwhelming chaff unless prudent researchers continue to cry out for a standard of presentation. * * * Oh, My Pa-Pa! By Ranee Egee raneeegee@hotmail.com I have followed the discussion of "imperfect" family trees posted on the Web. I would like to remind some people to lighten up. The joy is in the search. If you need absolute proof, prior to the era of DNA testing, you won't find it. Genealogy relies entirely on the honesty and fidelity of women: When a child is born his mother is known, but the identity of the father can only be assumed. Or as my mother sometimes said: "Mamma's baby, Daddy's -- "maybe." Hit the BACK button on your browser to return to your regularly scheduled URL! And Have a Nice Day!