Other than Bob Franks, how many of you already have a privacy policy? If so, is that policy stated on your Web site? Vivian

I am opposed to posting information on living persons for privacy. However, Identity Theft as a reason just shows that banks, credit cards, etc. are too lax in their security. Donna In a message dated 3/29/05 8:26:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: << A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. --Keith >>

I feel we do need a policy Regards Ed > -----Original Message----- > From: Michael and Vivian Saffold [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 7:46 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [GAGEN] Privacy Committee > > > This very complex issue was rather hotly debated for several > days on a > couple of mailing lists. As Keith has pointed out, the motion > to require > removal of contemporary birth records from the Texas Archvies failed. > Judging from the debate, the failure of the motion was due to > as many and > varied reasons as there are participants. > > I am open to discussion on whether or not GAGenWeb should > have a privacy > policy. I would like to hear from more of you on this question. > > Also, if we do agree that GAGenWeb should have a policy, should it be > developed by a new committee or by the existing Bylaws Committee. > > At this time, let's NOT debate the privacy issue itself, only > whether or > not GAGenWeb should have a policy. > > Vivian > > > At 02:05 PM 3/28/2005 -0700, you wrote: > >A motion is currently being voted upon by the USGW AB and > appears to be > >on > >its way to failing. This motion would have required the USGW > Archives-TX > >to remove data on living individuals. (They have thousands of birth > >records online even for children). > >I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of > an official > >committee to construct a Privacy Policy. This policy would > (hopefully) > >pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are genealogists > who help others > >research their ancestors, not living individuals. > >I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights > >Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft. > >Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been > professionally > >and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's > time we break out > >and show others we can lead where necessary. > > > >--Keith > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > Confused about Copyrights? Review USGenWeb's policy on copyrights at: > http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html > >

This very complex issue was rather hotly debated for several days on a couple of mailing lists. As Keith has pointed out, the motion to require removal of contemporary birth records from the Texas Archvies failed. Judging from the debate, the failure of the motion was due to as many and varied reasons as there are participants. I am open to discussion on whether or not GAGenWeb should have a privacy policy. I would like to hear from more of you on this question. Also, if we do agree that GAGenWeb should have a policy, should it be developed by a new committee or by the existing Bylaws Committee. At this time, let's NOT debate the privacy issue itself, only whether or not GAGenWeb should have a policy. Vivian At 02:05 PM 3/28/2005 -0700, you wrote: >A motion is currently being voted upon by the USGW AB and appears to be on >its way to failing. This motion would have required the USGW Archives-TX >to remove data on living individuals. (They have thousands of birth >records online even for children). >I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official >committee to construct a Privacy Policy. This policy would (hopefully) >pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are genealogists who help others >research their ancestors, not living individuals. >I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights >Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft. >Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been professionally >and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's time we break out >and show others we can lead where necessary. > >--Keith

I agree we need to do something to prevent this type of thing it should be common sense not to put a living someone info online. Ed > > From: Keith Giddeon <[email protected]> > Date: 2005/03/29 Tue PM 08:26:02 EST > To: [email protected] > Subject: [GAGEN] Privacy Committee > > A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have > required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. > (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). > I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official > committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy > would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are > genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living > individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in > promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. > I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights > Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. > Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been > professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's > time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. > > --Keith > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > >

David, That remark was completely unwarranted. I trust that in the future you (and everyone) can conduct a civil discourse based on the issues and not personalities. Vivian At 03:37 PM 3/29/2005 -1000, you wrote: >After your past actions with USGenWeb. I am not sure why anyone >would follow you anywhere. They just might run in the other >direction. > >David > > > >On Tue, 29 Mar 2005, Keith Giddeon wrote: > > > A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have > > required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. > > (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). > > I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official > > committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy > > would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are > > genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living > > individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in > > promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. > > I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights > > Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. > > Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been > > professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's > > time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. > > > > --Keith > > > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > > USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > > > >David W. Morgan [email protected] Honolulu Hawaii >CC Representative, SWSC Region, USGenWeb Project >http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dmorgan/ > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/

snip "It has been suggested that obituaries dated after 1930 not be posted hereon. Up until this time we have accepted all obituaries in order to accommodate you, however, please consider the possible invasion of privacy of all relatives and use your judgment as to whether or not to submit the obituary. Also, obituaries printed in newspapers after 1923 are copyrighted by the newspaper. Please be aware of Copyright Information(link). Facts are not copyrighted and may be submitted in your own format but not the exact wording of a published obituary. " snip VERY Nice I may use your model on my web pages. Deborah Byrd

As a general rule on any sites that I manage, If I catch it in donated information, I don't post facts about the person. Their name may appear but nothing more. I ask that donors not provide information more recent than 75 years, following the example of the US Census. As Vivian has stated the privacy issue is complex. How do we decide what information to post? Do we limit the type of information posted? Do we base the limitation on time span, such as how far back did this happen? One area of conflict I can think of is the 1930 US Census. A lot of the people listed in it are still alive as are some of the 1920 census do we post or not post that type of information? Do we post birth year but not location or vice versa location but not year? As one of the by-law committee, I'd say let fresh blood have at it. Deborah Byrd

> I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights > Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. I agree with you Keith. If I could spare any time, I would be willing to be involved in forming a policy for GAGenWeb. If I can't spare the time, I will be a cheerleader....<g> Bettie <><

That's scary! Unfortunately, private (and often incorrect) family information has been distributed by commercial family tree companies (not mentioning names) through the naive "sharing" by novice genealogists. I've run across the names and birthdates of my young nieces and nephews, and I didn't distribute it. However, we do need to take the high road and make sure it's our policy not to redistribute. It gets a little dicey with some tombstone transcriptions, where the stone may contain the names of living individuals. Husbands and wives may have a joint tombstone, with the birthdates and only one death date inscribed. A child's grave will include the parents' names. How to handle those? Pat S. Gwinnett ----- Original Message ----- From: "Linda Barton" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2005 9:37 PM Subject: RE: [GAGEN] Privacy Committee > A few months ago there was a lot of activity using the search engine of > my personal research site which included searches for my name in various > forms with + mother and + parents and +maiden and +birth which > obviously aroused my curiosity (and ire!) >

I think Keith Giddeon has made a valid suggestion. Most all national genealogical organizations have privacy policies already in place. I already have a personal privacy policy in place on the Liberty GAGenWeb site with a link to the National Genealogical Society's Sharing Information With Others guidelines. Bob Franks Liberty County GAGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~galiber3/

Keith (and all), I think this sounds like a good idea. I don't know if it is something that should be part of GAGenWeb's new Bylaws/Guidelines or if it should be a separate policy but I do believe it is an important issue. I am in support of protecting the privacy of living individuals but did not support the motion you mentioned because it had a very narrow scope (ie, just Texas) and the archives just recently adopted a policy concerning these records and are in the process of putting that new policy into action. The specific complaint that was brought to the attention of the AB is being addressed individually. However, I agree that this issue is best dealt with in a proactive manner, rather than waiting until individuals realize their information is available and complain about it, I think there should be policies in place and enforced that keep this from occurring. I don't believe that we can enforce the exclusion of every mention of a living individual but with birth records for example, the individuals name along with the maiden name of the mother and the birth date are included. These are 3 very important pieces of information needed to invade another's privacy. I don't know how much can be done with JUST this information but I still believe we should not be making it readily available. I would be willing to be involved in discussions of this matter to help form a policy for GAGenWeb County sites. A few months ago there was a lot of activity using the search engine of my personal research site which included searches for my name in various forms with + mother and + parents and +maiden and +birth which obviously aroused my curiosity (and ire!) Linda Blum-Barton -----Original Message----- From: Keith Giddeon [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2005 8:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [GAGEN] Privacy Committee A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. --Keith ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information.

A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. --Keith

I think it's a sad day for USGenWeb when we allow birth information through the 1990s to be freely accessible for those wishing to commit identity theft. Identity theft is a growing problem; it's in the news every day. Lori Thornton Telfair & Franklin Counties "David W. Morgan" <[email protected]> wrote: After your past actions with USGenWeb. I am not sure why anyone would follow you anywhere. They just might run in the other direction. David On Tue, 29 Mar 2005, Keith Giddeon wrote: > A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have > required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. > (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). > I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official > committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy > would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are > genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living > individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in > promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. > I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights > Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. > Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been > professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's > time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. > > --Keith > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > David W. Morgan [email protected] Honolulu Hawaii CC Representative, SWSC Region, USGenWeb Project http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dmorgan/ ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ Lori Thornton [email protected] --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!

After your past actions with USGenWeb. I am not sure why anyone would follow you anywhere. They just might run in the other direction. David On Tue, 29 Mar 2005, Keith Giddeon wrote: > A motion in the USGW AB failed last night. This motion would have > required the USGW Archives-TX to remove data on living individuals. > (They have thousands of birth records online even for children). > I now ask the GAGenWeb leadership to allow the formation of an official > committee to construct a Privacy Policy for GAGenWeb sites. This policy > would (hopefully) pioneer a mindset within USGenWeb that we are > genealogists who help others research their ancestors, not living > individuals, and also that USGenWeb SHOULD be taking the lead in > promoting online privacy in genealogical circles. > I volunteer myself for this committee as I am a Privacy Rights > Clearinghouse contact on the subject of Identity Theft/Internet. > Let's please take the lead on this issue. GAGenWeb has been > professionally and aptly operated for almost a year now and I feel it's > time we break out and show others we can lead where necessary. > > --Keith > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > David W. Morgan [email protected] Honolulu Hawaii CC Representative, SWSC Region, USGenWeb Project http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dmorgan/

Vivian, Thank you so much. That's a great site. Sheila Co-coordinator Dodge County GAGenweb Project ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael and Vivian Saffold" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 3:49 PM Subject: [GAGEN] Virtual Vault > A brand new resource is now online at the Georgia Archives' Web site. It is > called the Virtual Vault. > > http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/Vault/ArcVirtualVault/default.aspx > > The Vault contains scanned images of important documents in Georgia's > history. Among the most valuable for genealogy researchers are the county > maps. The earliest extant map of each Georgia county is now online. The > maps show where the original land lots were. I know you will want to add > links on your county pages. > > Vivian > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.4 - Release Date: 3/27/2005 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.4 - Release Date: 3/27/2005

A brand new resource is now online at the Georgia Archives' Web site. It is called the Virtual Vault. http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/Vault/ArcVirtualVault/default.aspx The Vault contains scanned images of important documents in Georgia's history. Among the most valuable for genealogy researchers are the county maps. The earliest extant map of each Georgia county is now online. The maps show where the original land lots were. I know you will want to add links on your county pages. Vivian

Very nice!! Thanks Vivian Michael and Vivian Saffold wrote: > A brand new resource is now online at the Georgia Archives' Web site. > It is called the Virtual Vault. > > http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/Vault/ArcVirtualVault/default.aspx > > The Vault contains scanned images of important documents in Georgia's > history. Among the most valuable for genealogy researchers are the > county maps. The earliest extant map of each Georgia county is now > online. The maps show where the original land lots were. I know you > will want to add links on your county pages. > > Vivian > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > > >

I did manage to get in late last night. It took quite a while to answer all the questions. Ed > > From: "Arlene Woody" <[email protected]> > Date: 2005/03/27 Sun AM 07:12:58 EST > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [GAGEN] Please participate and spread the word > > I got through this morning and completed the survey. Link was > http://igcs.survey.curtin.edu.au > > Arlene Woody > County Coordinator > Bartow: http://www.gabartow.org > Paulding: http://www.rootsweb.com/~gapauld2

I got through this morning and completed the survey. Link was http://igcs.survey.curtin.edu.au Arlene Woody County Coordinator Bartow: http://www.gabartow.org Paulding: http://www.rootsweb.com/~gapauld2 -----Original Message----- From: Ed Gordon [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2005 8:44 PM To: [email protected]eb.com Subject: Re: [GAGEN] Please participate and spread the word I tried the link with IE and Mozilla and I can not get to the site. IE goes to a search page and Mozilla says the page has no data? Ed > > From: "Ken Johnson" <[email protected]> > Date: 2005/03/26 Sat AM 10:11:08 EST > To: [email protected] > Subject: [GAGEN] Please participate and spread the word > > PARTICIPATION REQUESTED IN ONLINE GENEALOGY SURVEY > > A graduate student at Curtin University in Australia is conducting a survey > about the use of the Internet in genealogy for her Ph.D. and is seeking > participants. She will provide a copy of the information which is received > to each participant. > > Please take some time to complete the survey at > http://igcs.survey.curtin.edu.au Deadline for completing the survey is > April 10. > > Please spread the word to all genie lists you are on so there will be a good > response > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > Confused about Copyrights? Review USGenWeb's policy on copyrights at: > http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information.