Rootsweb is now owned by Ancestry.com who profits from our work. I prefer a website, like LDS, that doesn't. Besides, Ancestry has a lot of members who use our data inappropriately by adding to their own families where they don't belong. I've gotten into it with a number of folks who added my direct lines and I know we weren't related.
I know this is risky on any website, but most professional genealogists don't post their data online for that reason. I thought I was the only one who thought that way and am often admonished for it. I prefer to keep my data intact and not become corrupt by those who like to jack up their numbers by adding names that don't connect. Rootsweb is the first genealogy website and has been around for years. I doubt they're going anywhere, but then again since they are now owned by Ancestry they could be bought out by another company just like Family Tree Maker was bought out by several companies. I think the only "safe" thing to do is to publish our data independently and not online. Then at least it is intact in one place and not governed by greedy companies looking to profit from our hard work. That's the way I feel about it. I know I'm getting off topic. -----Original Message----- From: Eliz Hanebury [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 10:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] Preserving files (was: Speaking of pictures?) Freepages at rootsweb, World connect at rootsweb, they seem to be the most reliable, if you source everything well descendants in the future who do get "bit" can find their way thru. Eliz On Sat, May 28, 2011 at 7:18 PM, John S. Adams <[email protected]> wrote: > I've given a lot of thought to long term preservation of my genealogy files > [recorded with Legacy, in order to keep this On Topic] given the > rapid�obsolescence�of digital media. �What if I store my files on the > currently most advanced medium and I place it in a secure place, e.g. a bank > safe deposit box, and tomorrow I get obliterated by a Hellfire missile? �My > heirs, not otherwise knowing what to do with the contents of my safe deposit > box, store everything in a trunk in the attic. �Fifty years from now, an as > yet unborn descendant discovers these strange, shiny discs and thinking they > make wonderful conversation pieces, uses them for drink coasters for his > guests. �I think the only way to ensure that your files are readable in the > distant future is to print them on old fashioned paper even if they are at > risk from fire, flood or tornado. > As to the question of what to do with your files if your immediate relatives > haven't yet been infected by the genie bug, you could always donate them to > your local genealogical society or one in an area where your ancestors > lived. �They may be useful to someone researching in those areas. �And keep > in mind that your grandchildren who now roll their eyes at any mention of > "our Hepplefinger line from Transylvania," may someday be saying, "I wish > I'd asked Grandpa that when he was alive; he knew all about our ancestors." > �For now I've tried to identify any younger relatives in my major lines who > have expressed any interest in genealogy--my son-in-law, my wife's nephew, > my cousin's granddaughter, etc.--and intend to provide them with my files of > their respective branches. > Having said all that, to date I have neither printed everything on paper or > distributed files to the younger relatives. �Plenty of time for that. �I may > live forever if that missile misfires. > > John S. Adams > Hermosa Beach, CA > > > > Legacy User Group guidelines: > http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp > Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp > Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and on > our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). > To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp > Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and on our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and on our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
