On Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:21:30 -0000, Robert Melson wrote: > But why criticize the LDS/familysearch for the same problem > one finds on RootsWeb and/or Ancestry? LDS was mentioned. Now that you've mention Rootsweb and Ancestry: I don't use either of them either. The Rootsweb mailing lists are useful because there are always people on them with good local knowledge. > Author Theodore > Sturgeon (Phillip Klass) famously said, "90% of everything is > crap." If that's the case, then why are any of us doing our family history or genealogy if 90% is only fit for the trash? I don't think that those who helped me assemble Dear Cousin Albert's life (as in the link in my sig file) would regard their efforts as 90% "crap". I certainly don't. -- http://home.comcast.net/~webact1/Collingridge/

Charani <SGBNOSPAM@ mail2genes.invalid> wrote in news:47874a50$0$47102$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net: > If that's the case, then why are any of us doing our family > history or genealogy if 90% is only fit for the trash? Because we have an obsession that is mostly harmless, so society lets us do it without much derision. Many cultures indulge in ancestor worship to varying degress. I know of at least one culture at actually keeps their ancestors' remains (only a couple generations back) in the house! Oh, they're fully "prepared," so there's no health issues. But they will often have the departed sit at the dinner table for ceremonius occasions. "As it harms none, 'do what thou wilt' shall be the whole of the law," proclaims another religion. Have fun with it, but don't over-estimate its value in the greater scheme of things. -- }:-) Christopher Jahn {:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/ Sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without a passport; whereas virtue, if a pauper, is stopped at all frontiers.

In article <47874a50$0$47102$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net>, Charani <SGBNOSPAM@ mail2genes.invalid> writes: > On Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:21:30 -0000, Robert Melson wrote: > >> But why criticize the LDS/familysearch for the same problem >> one finds on RootsWeb and/or Ancestry? > > LDS was mentioned. Now that you've mention Rootsweb and Ancestry: I > don't use either of them either. The Rootsweb mailing lists are > useful because there are always people on them with good local > knowledge. > >> Author Theodore >> Sturgeon (Phillip Klass) famously said, "90% of everything is >> crap." > > If that's the case, then why are any of us doing our family history or > genealogy if 90% is only fit for the trash? I don't think that those > who helped me assemble Dear Cousin Albert's life (as in the link in my > sig file) would regard their efforts as 90% "crap". I certainly > don't. The point was - or so I thought - that most of the information found on the internet is suspect, particularly on the genealogy sites, whether free or commercial. Had nothing to do with why you and I and others indulge in this obsession/passion. I do it out of curiosity about my antecedents as well as for the thrill of the chase, which lets me indulge my Sherlock Holmes fantasies. Others do it for other reasons, how 'bout you? A NEED to know, knowledge for knowledge sake, name collecting, one-upmanship with other family members? Bob -- Robert G. Melson | Rio Grande MicroSolutions | El Paso, Texas ----- Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason so few engage in it. -- Henry Ford

Bob wrote: > I do it [genealogy research] out of curiosity about my antecedents >as well as for the > thrill of the chase, which lets me indulge my Sherlock Holmes > fantasies. Yes, that is the research motivation for me. I find fascinating stories and get a look at their lives in the social and historical context. I research in-laws' families for about two or three generations, sometimes more if they are interesting. And I research all my maternal lines with the same focus as I do the paternal lines. I just follow the trails. My motivation for research has nothing to do with ancestor worship. It has everything to do with curiosity about ancestors, collateral ancestors, and allied families. I definitely don't do it to find famous figures----although I have found a very few. And I've found a few rascals. It balances out. I find the search to be valuable to me and a few members of my family who are particularly interested in history in general. When I find something particularly interesting (such as someone who died at the Alamo), I write up a brief "Family Factoid" e-mail and send it to members of the family. When I began this about three years ago, I put in the disclaimer that there would be no pop quiz later---they might choose to read it now, store it and read it later, or drop it in File 13. It has worked out well and some do love it. Some distant relatives have even asked to be added to the list. I never ask anybody about it later---it's a no-pressure deal. Sometimes I'll get a reply asking for more detail or asking other questions about it. I try to keep the factoids brief and simple. However, the last one I sent out had a "short version" at the top and then the "longer version" added separately at the bottom for those who were interested in more detail. I might only send one every couple of months. I don't want to spam! Warmest Regards, Donna P.S. Right now I'm doing research for a client. I find the search fascinating and fun--and it's nice to help someone else who doesn't have the time to do it himself.