I am a former poor documenter of sources recently converted to the need for more
professional documentation. Every item of data usually comes from the work of others.
By
others, I mean the original creator of the official source, not any of us who later
find
that source and put it in our family data. We are all in great debt to others who
recorded the original vital statistics, researched books, wrote obituaries, made
entries
in family bibles, etc. When we enter a name, date, place, etc. in our data, the
source is
always the author, record, agency, etc. that provided the data for us to copy. We are
only the compilers of data recorded by others. We can never be the "source" of
anything
that we did create as the original record. Even after we produce a family group
sheet, we
are not the source of any name, date or place on that report. We are the compilers of
data created by others, with the exception of our own personal family.
To be more specific, if we look at any Legacy report there should be one or more
source citations numbers after every data item. If not, that data is only a possible
clue. If the citation number only gives us the name of the compiler who sent us the
information, then it remains only a possible clue of unknown reliability. If the
citation number refers readers to the original source, page number, and quotes that
source, then you have a very professional report whose reliability can be verified by
all
who follow you as descendants of the same ancestors.
Legacy gives us the ability to convert our years of research into a most
professional book for our extended family that meets the highest standards of reliable
work. At the time you enter any piece of data, you know exactly where you got it. If
you
take just a minute extra to document that source in a professional manner, then you
instantly convert undocumented possible clues into professional level information. The
data you record could have the highest reliability, but if you fail to cite that
original
source, then in your records the reliability of that data can not be checked. It is
reduced to the lowest level of surety when it had the highest level of surety. That
additional minute you take at the time of recording the work of others determines
whether
you want your family history to be mere interesting speculation that does not take
advantage of Legacy publishing capabilities -- Or, professional work that readers can
accept as a reliable document from a skilled researcher. Do you want to be just a
hobbyist for your own pleasure with data no one can trust; or, a compiler of accurate
family history that serious researchers can recognize as professional and reliable
work?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arthur A. Farrington" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] Sources
Hugh:
Here! Here! You hit the nail on the head exactly.
Since 1983, I have conducted "The Farrington Repository"
consisting of not only my own research but that of over 275 other family
researchers, who finding a Farrington and desiring earlier Farrington
family information, query me. Providing I can furnish earlier family
information, an exchange takes place. They send me their family
information back to the Farrington connection and in exchange, I send
them all the earlier Farrington family information I have here. No money
is ever involved, just an exchange. Would you believe, many of these
family researchers actually keep their family information here up to
date. And all furnish all sources and I give each their credit on
information they send. I have several databases with the largest one of
over 100,900 individuals and all on Legacy Family Tree (I have and use
several other programs; i.e., TMG, FTM and PAF to be able to relate to
other researchers better).
Verified sources are important but mine belong to me and those
sent in belong to the individual who did the research. Thanks for
listening.
Sincerely,
Arthur
FARRINGTON, my name; GENEALOGY, my game; May I help YOU?
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