Bill, We are all saying pretty much the same thing, I would add that you should contact the Tree Owner, for two reasons: 1) If using someone else's data it is bad form not to tell them - especially if you may publish at some time. 2) You will often (by no means always) find that they are willing to help.
But, do check out all the information for yourself. Errors are very common, some people are less inclined than others to accept them, but we all make them. I have had some pointed out on my trees, and the main thing is to examine the alternative evidence without prejudice, and be ready to change. Ron Ferguson http://www.fergys.co.uk/ -----Original Message----- From: Charles Apple Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 5:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [LegacyUG] Diamond-trees in the rough and what to do with them in your core Legacy file Bill, I pretty much follow the same advice as given previously by Michelle. Personally I would import the GEDCOM into a *separate* family file created specifically for that particular GEDCOM or Family Line, but definitely *NOT* into my main Family File. This just makes it easier to work with and compare to your Family File, IMHO. In addition to contacting the author for additional source information, as Michelle suggested, I would only use the information in that GEDCOM or new family file as *LEADS* for further research and proper sourcing. Geoff R.s statement is worth repeating, "Genealogy without documentation is Mythology." As a side note, some members of the Legacy User Group will not respond to a message sent in HTML, so please make sure that all your messages are formatted in "Plain Text." Hope this helps, Charles From: William (Bill) R. Linhart [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 11:25 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [LegacyUG] Diamond-trees in the rough and what to do with them in your core Legacy file I am new to this forum so this might be an out of line question -- not sure. I am very strong technically, so I don't need all the details, more of a vision would be helpful. I am good at technical details. Right now I need help to see the forest. I have a small Legacy family file of about 100+ people. I have found a useful tree (via Legacy research tips :-) ) with another 100+ family members. I downloaded a GEDCOM and created a temp-Legacy file to review the content. There are no sources in the GEDCOM but it looks like some good leads. I found it on Rootweb (last updated about 2004). The authors email address may or may not be good as it is from 2004. I suspect the person is part of this tree and the tree is based on family legends and personal conversations. About 20 % of the new family members are in my current file with high degree of confidence. Before I "shoot myself in the foot" I would like to ask this community for an approach to using a tree of unknown quality when you find one. This is the first time I have ever found tree I value. It links, without any doubt, to my tree to some extent or to a large extent. The 20% is a perfect fit. It is the 80% I don't know how to approach. What are the risks? What mistakes should I avoid that you all know about from lessons learned? If I can avoid doing something really stupid, I would like to avoid doing it. How would you approach this beast? (1) MERGE with my Legacy file and sort out details later? (2) MANUALLY add these 100 entries one at a time and research each? (3) LIMITED-MERGE keep only blood lines and cast off the rest? (4) Should I try to contact the author? What would I request? I am new to genealogy so I don't know the etiquette that is common between researchers. (5) ... I could go on with questions but I bet you guys have faced this hundreds of times ... this is my first time. Maybe there is some guidance in a book or in a class or in a CD from Legacy? I don't know what I don't know. Or maybe Geoff R. can create a new Webinar on "Diamond-trees in the rough and what to do with them in your core Legacy file?" ... if he has not done that one yet. My goal is to document and share my own family tree as professionally as I can. I know I have a lot to learn. Your suggestions for guidance would be greatly appreciated. I have reviewed training Volume 1 and am working through training volume 2. I have found these to be very good resources for learning the tool features and functions. I have been monitoring Legacy webinars. If this belongs on different board, please let me know where. Thanks, in advance, for your consideration. Bill 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
