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Topic: Family history is thoroughly corrupted (Read 2318 times)
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Guy Etchells
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1106
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I have been doing family history research for over 50 years and I have at least one tree/database with well over 11,000 names on it.
I have others with around 2,500 names.
None of my trees have been grabbed from the web in fact most of the research was done before the internet was invented and much even before the IGI was invented.
My online trees do not show sources simply because the programs used at the time did not have the facility to show sources (even though they held them).
I may eventually re-upload my online trees with sources but this takes time and I have other more pressing things to do.
As far as I am concerned an online tree is simply a guide to what records may be available. If the researcher who uses any online resource cannot be bothered to check then that is their look-out.
Eventually new comers to family history (including those who have only used online sources) will realise that many if not most sources contain errors.
Even official sources (census, births, marriages deaths, baptisms burials etc. etc. contain errors and must be checked against other sources.
Only when a number of different sources of information have been assembled can the possibilities be weighed and a conclusion reached.
Family history research involves balancing the accuracy from many secondary sources as virtually no primary sources exist.
Even where a primary source exists it is only a primary source for a small proportion of the information it contains.
Cheers
Guy
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11962
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I'm sure some people would simply ignore TBC 
Someone once said, not sure if it was on here that if it is on the web it must be true - NOT! 
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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Nick29
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2904
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I'm sure some people would simply ignore TBC
Yes, they do ! I added two "possibles" to my tree, and clearly put "NOT CONFIRMED - COPY AT YOUR OWN RISK" in the details.
Within a month, three people had copied it. I think this is partially the fault of Ancestry - their hints only show the basic "facts", and not the actual page containing them.
The bottom line is, of course, that hobbies mean more to some than to others. Some people have a train layout, and are quite happy to watch a plastic model go round and round in circles for hours, whilst others have to build everything themselves, exactly to scale, and exactly to period and region. They both probably get the same amount of pleasure from it.
For most of us, genealogy is just a hobby, and we all have our own ways of doing things. My tree currently stands at around 5,500 names, and the accuracy of the data in my tree really depends on how far you stray from the main branches. When I hit "dead ends", I will often look down branch lines, to see if I can pick up any clues. I have also researched the branches of cousins at their request, but I draw the line on obtaining certificates for their family, so they're not fully verified either. Now, that may fit in with the ways of some others, but I'm not doing it for them - I'm doing it for me, and I'm not forcing anyone to look at my tree. I think we spend far too much time in this country worrying about what other people are doing
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Best Wishes, Nick. Research interests: Field - Luton & Islington Hole - Somerset, Suffolk & Surrey Farnish, Parker, Cattermole, Last, Wasp, Church - Suffolk Lewin/Lowin/Lowen - Hertfordhire Martin - Eltham & Greenwich, Kent (London) Stead - Greenwich, London (Kent) & Maidstone Wood - Hertfordshire Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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MarkyP
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 290
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Everyone has made some really good points, but as Nick has pointed out, it is basically a hobby for most people! It is done for your own pleasure or gratification and as long as you do what you think is right for your own tree, then no one can fault you. However, if you choose to show it off to the world, you have to accept the consequences and be prepared for other people to disagree with your findings, hence the reason for having sources to back up anything you have. You also have to accept that the same people might just plunder all your hard work for their own. It has been happening since the beginning of time, either through the spoken language or the written word, it is what people do! Future genealogists will have to sift through all the various family trees done by different branches of the same family and decide which is the right one, lets hope they choose yours!
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Jerome - Hampshire (including IOW)
Parsons - Surrey, Somerset and Devon
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Nick29
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2904
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Well said. I don't think any of us would get very far without the work of others, so it's good to give something back.
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Best Wishes, Nick. Research interests: Field - Luton & Islington Hole - Somerset, Suffolk & Surrey Farnish, Parker, Cattermole, Last, Wasp, Church - Suffolk Lewin/Lowin/Lowen - Hertfordhire Martin - Eltham & Greenwich, Kent (London) Stead - Greenwich, London (Kent) & Maidstone Wood - Hertfordshire Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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Guy Etchells
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1106
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I would advise you to put your research on a computer as quickly as possible, it is at risk.
I totally agree that paper will (if stored correctly) outlast current computers & programs, but digital information can be transferred from system to system.
I first compiled my computer data on a Commodore 64, transferred it to a Commodore Amiga and eventually on to a PC.
The great value of digital data is it can be easily spread to different locations. This spread provides safety in case of disaster.
If you had a fire or flood or other similar event your work could be lost forever.
Digital copies (though not being able to replace the original documents) could provide copies of those documents.
In addition digital copies are easier to search, store and share and all may be taken with you when on research trips.
Digital does not replace paper records but augments them.
Cheers
Guy
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mike175
RootsChat Veteran
Posts: 770
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Drifting off-topic a little, I think the biggest advantage for me of storing my data in a computer is the discipline it introduces into my work, creating order out of chaos
It's easy to spot missing people, sources, etc. and also to correct errors that have crept in (mostly from other people's work!) without having to completely re-draw a tree.
BUT . . . I print out hard copy of everything as well because in the longer term it is arguably more permanent. I know you can upgrade data to new formats as they arise, but it might not be so easy to retrieve the family history from that old Sinclair Microdrive tape that you discover in your late uncle Fred's effects. Far easier to read his handwritten or printed work, and you don't even need any special equipment . . . except perhaps the reading glasses 
Mike.
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Baskervill - Devon, Foss - Hants, Gentry - Essex, Metherell - Devon, Partridge - Essex/London, Press - Norfolk/London, Stone - Surrey/Sussex, Stuttle - Essex, Wheate - Middlesex/Essex/Coventry/Rutland/Oxfordshire/Staffs, Gibson - Essex
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Pages: 1 2 [3] 4
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Hi kerry, Yep, they have.... and added the futher 3 generations..... after I'd put TBC... cause they've copied the lot 
And probably drive me even more mad!