Hello Cousins, I would really like your input regarding a situation I came across recently. After quite a number of years researching a particular family I finally had an opportunity to visit that "Parish's Historical Society holdings which are housed in a South Louisiana library. The documents date from around 1768 to 1900 ca.. Anyhow, mixed in the documents was an "Ancestor Chart"..done by a fellow family researcher who has since passed away. I had done some collaberating with her in the past.. On the "Ancestor Sheet" she names 7 generations of families who "in her opinion are related". At the top of the chart is written "Possible lineage" . Now...my question is.......Should a non-historical document be included in Historical Records? Is this commonly done...what is the protocol? I greatly appreciate any input on this. Thanks Marsha

Marsha I feel this is more likely the personal research folders of one or more members of the society. It should contain any and all documents, correspondence, sheets & notes related to the family covered. As other members "retired" The society may have consolidated the folders & the names of the original researcher may be lost..I would prefer that there be minimal culling (discarding) of contents. I am not trained as a Historian or Librarian. This is my personal opinion based on research methology I learned my post-graduate training in other Social Sciences. Paul Le B l'Ascension Louisiane -----Original Message----- From: mladner <marshaladner@att.net> Hello Cousins, I would really like your input regarding a situation I came across recently. After quite a number of years researching a particular family I finally had an opportunity to visit that "Parish's Historical Society holdings which are housed in a South Louisiana library. The documents date from around 1768 to 1900 ca.. Anyhow, mixed in the documents was an "Ancestor Chart"..done by a fellow family researcher who has since passed away. I had done some collaberating with her in the past.. On the "Ancestor Sheet" she names 7 generations of families who "in her opinion are related". At the top of the chart is written "Possible lineage" . Now...my question is.......Should a non-historical document be included in Historical Records? Is this commonly done...what is the protocol? I greatly appreciate any input on this. Thanks Marsha