It is such a joy to read so many Lookups from this newspaper project, to know that the idea is REALLY working. It is such a joy to witness before my very own eyes . . . that a group of intelligent volunteers can work so well together and produce results. Who knows what might have happened had we all received our newspaper films at the same time? Good thing we didn't, huh? For one thing, Art would have been flooded. For another, we would probably not have enjoyed it quite so much . . . following through with our agreed upon plan . . . posting some of the most interesting articles' content for all to see. I'll bet we are having an even greater impact than we might imagine. I'll just wager (not $) that there are even some non-subscribers, people who are actually allergic to using the Internet for research, who are reading some of our findings they obtain from members. And, there are probably ACTUALLY somewhere out there a few "professional" genealogists who are using (or will use data from the database we are creating, or others we will create in the future with other projects) it to generate income when they are doing work for their clients? That was not my intent for this project. However, since we are gleaning from a quasi publicly-owned source of data (not cemetery records, census records, church records, etc. yet), it's okay that they use our database too. We want to share with everyone, willingly, and with no charge other than their own time. This project is being done in the true spirit of genealogy, out of love for helping others out, and out of a love for our ancestors of Amador County in general. Over the past few months, it's also been exciting (thanks to Art) for me to meet (on e-mail) four cousins of Amador County origin I didn't know I had. They live in Brussels, Belgium; San Diego; Evergreen, Colorado; and Bainbridge Island, Washington. I guess I could have been smug about the family history and genealogy, and photos that I have, not willingly sharing with them. The collection we now share together might even be worth some considerable amount of money in the hands of a collector who sells such things to families. Though some photos of Amador-Calaveras County people in my collection are not even blood relatives, it's been so exciting that I've been able to share with my family whose in-laws they were. By posting the pioneer stories on our website, I am certain that I could have positively touched someone very deeply. In fact, some have actually written me to say how much they enjoyed them. No one had to pay for them, though I am certain that there are some folks out there who would love to have published them in a tourist booklet or in the Amador County Ledger-Dispatch, and been compensated. I've never been openly, personally offended by any of these publishers as several of you have told me you have been. I would simply prefer to give something of this nature as a gift. Though you and I have been accused of being ignorant, inexperienced genealogists, and some of you have admitted to me that you are (which I would admit too), many of us have research skills that would rival the best. I am the first to admit that, though I've been addicted for nearly 40 years, I still have not scratched the surface of what there is to learn out there. And, isn't it so much better that we're all here together to help each other when needed? It's like a lifeline. None of us could ever afford to do as individuals (or even dyads) what we are doing for each other, and for others in the future. There is an unmatched willingness to serve each other. As an undergraduate in college many years ago, I learned about a VERY special principle of human nature. It's called "reciprocity," meaning that if I give willingly to someone else, sooner or later, it will come back . . . maybe even more than I gave. We are so very fortunate to have a mutually-interested group for Amador County. Not one selfish person in the bunch. There's just something about it which is very mysterious. Don't you agree? And, we don't even know each other! We have been labeled by some nonmembers of our List as "self-indulgent people with a twisted sense of moral right or justification." I can only agree wholeheartedly. And, I can only hope that we can build our pile of gifts up to the point that someday these people will admit that some over here want to give to them more than they could ever possibly give to us. I don't know how old they are, but I hope we make it in time. Fortunately, they "have no intention of publishing anything else on Amador County." I think it is obviously far too expensive a venture for one's personal financial and time investment. And, why would I want to know the details of everyone's genealogy. They have been "really disappointed over finding so many dishonest people (us) --- people who can't seem to rise above temptation --- people who don't recognize their own brand of stealing as theft." No one has to steal from our website or Mailing List. What we have is for everyone. And, if one wants to use our data, just like all genealogy data (unless family-owned), it's available for those who want to do the genealogy work for other families (who don't want to do it themselves or who don't think they have the time) for an income. I'll never forget an experience I had as a boy with this sort of thing. The lady who had the most profound influence on my interest in family history was a professional researcher. I was a guest in her home for Sunday dinner when a man abruptly came to her door. He was one of her clients. He owed her money, for "nothing", he claimed. She had spent so many hours finding no results for him, and he was VERY angry for having to still pay her for her time. She was as poor as a churchmouse. I felt so badly that she had made this bad business decision in life to make her living in this way. I knew it had been a bad decision, making this her sole support. There are probably people in Amador County who have done the same thing with their lives. They have probably spent a lifetime creating databases of public records that we all have access to. When I first joined the Mailing List, I didn't know about these people. I was only concerned about tourist and newspaper writers. By and by, after I suggested the newspaper project, these new people attacked some of us for what we are doing with our Mailing List and Website. Why didn't I know about it? Because this group admittedly refuses to use computers to their fullest extent for genealogy. Talk about courting failure. Can you imagine not wanting to be a part of what we and other groups of people have produced on the Internet? They say they can't afford it. Could anyone interested in genealogy research not afford it these days? Think about it! The first day the new FamilySearch database (even though it may not be perfect) went on-line, they had 40 million hits. And, there were 60 million people who were not successful! Truly amazing. What professional genealogist could survive without such resources? These angry people say that they "don't need us," and that they "have other sources at home that allow them to keep things reasonably current." Recently, I received a message from one of you who told me that one of these outside people is so angry that she will not share needed data with that one of you. I personally do not want to interact with selfish people. Instead, I would like to make a special request of our member who tells these nonmember people everything we talk about in our messages to each other. I am sincerely asking you to try harder to solicit them into our group. I don't believe that any of us EVER intentionally meant to offend them. We want them to have all of the benefits we are enjoying, and more. I am ready to admit that I am a "flatlander." For those of you who don't know what this is, I can only offer my interpretation from what my mother has told me. It's basically an outsider, or one not personally native to Amador County. I have NEVER felt ANY negative vibes from the natives on our Mailing List . . . like Jackie from Jackson, etc. They seem just as interested in me as I in them. Jackie has even invited me to her home, and offered to help me with finding lodging for a trip to the area. But, maybe we've actually (without realizing it) created a feeling of animosity that these nonmembers may feel because they are not a part of our group, much like natives have treated flatlanders? But, to you who commute our messages to them, I offer a challenge to convert them to our group. Perhaps you are partly to blame for maybe even misleading them as to our true intent? I don't know. I don't believe that anyone has a corner on the genealogy intelligence market. We all learn as we go, or as we are helped by others. And, I've never heard of anyone who has the power (not even Milosevic) to reverse the overwhelming tide of technology. These nonmember people say: "Regardless of the number of people whose enthusiasm you may fire up, there's no short-cutting the time investment. Additionally, none of you are intimately familiar with ALL of the county names (not that any of us is interested in ALL of the county names), and won't know how to correctly interpret much of what you find." (The only thing I care about interpreting is information on Caminettis and Giustos.) They continue . . . "Ordinarily, Bill Baccus' thinking would be correct, in that you should leave names exactly as they were spelled in the original source." [I've never been overly concerned about name spellings. The original spelling of my surname (Illum) is said to have been Ilym. Some modern Danes in Denmark even spell it Ilum. This is a principle of genealogy research that one must simply accept. It's common knowledge that everyone eventually trips over.) The upset nonmembers say that "to tackle a project that you are ill-equipped to do right, is worse than not doing it at all." (For the past 40 years, if I've learned anything about genealogical research, it's that I discover something different each time I turn the next corner. And, for each of us, I think it must be the same . . . hunting and pecking . . . even in Amador County. I am just greatful that I have a massive support group that lends an ear to my frustration at times. Without that, I probably would never have taken up the pan & pick again.) These nonmember people told me that (and I'm quoting again) "Art is more interested in being a 'big wheel', than he is in helping other people." I have NEVER once felt that Art is this kind of person. Art lets us do just about anything with the website we want. He gives us the ownership. These nonmember people said they are "sure the idea of getting all this information on the internet must be real exciting," but they "have learned that faster doesn't mean better." I'm sorry, but I've only got so many years left, maybe. I'm 54 now, and I WANT IT ASAP! They continue, "The new genealogists are in too big a hurry, and don't recognize obvious errors. Remember the adage: Haste makes waste? Too many of these 'newbies' (us) aren't thinking, and they certainly haven't paid their dues." They continue, "As for FREE (in reference to what we are doing) --- the kid whose father gives him a car for graduation isn't as appreciative as the kid who has to work for it and earn it himself. (I agree. That's why I want to do it myself, with the support group on the Mailing List.) The vast majority of people, for whom we have done 'gratis' work, rarely ever bother to say thank you." To the contrary, what I've encountered are people like Abbie who are so stubborn they won't let you even TRY to compensate them. The only solution for these people, as I see it, is to join us. That is my own personal open invitation. Please, will the person in our group who commutes our messages share this with them? Even though I know who you are, I'm not going to mention your name. That would be unfair. My intent is not to attack anyone. If they want to continue to sell their services, perhaps there will be some among us who will purchase these services. While it is true that we aren't allowed to openly advertise, there are proven ways around this rule. I have had generous offers from others in our group to sell me Anthony Caminetti memorabilia. And, had Anthony been in my direct line, I would have been right there with my checkbook. However, I did refer the member to other family who were in the correct lineage, knowing that the person might be very excited. Such a transaction could easily be mutually beneficial. Once again, it's been very frustrating . . . this lashing out by others not on our List. However, it will never part with my personal philosophy that I learned on that memorable Sunday at the home of my friend. My feelings were clear, "Why don't you get off your lazy butt, and do your genealogy yourself?!" And, of what possible personal meaning could it be if we don't do it ourselves? I wouldn't want anyone else doing my work. I appreciate all of you volunteers out there working on this team . . . Ed, Art (especially), and all of you members. And, I'm sorry that there has been a cheap attempt to character assassinate what we're accomplishing by outsiders who refuse to progress into the next generation. We need them as much as we need each other already here. Such a genius it must have been who came up with this U.S. GenWeb Project! They moved this great work ahead by light years. I just hope somehow that the snails will hop on and ride this enormous tidal wave! Steve -----Original Message----- From: Jackie <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 9:42 AM Subject: [CAAMADOR-L] GOSS >Hi Abbie...well you got my Charles Goss. What month & date was that paper? >I live just over the hill from the Argonaut Mine. From reading the explicit >details of other mine accidents, this one was tame. After spending so much >time in the Dispatch these last weeks, reading the list of jurors is like >old home week. I recognized all but the M.V. Colt name. Thanks again. >Jackie >[email protected] > > >==== CAAMADOR Mailing List ==== >Amador County, California CAGenWeb >http://www.rootsweb.com/~caamador/ >