Hi, all: The article on RootsWeb that was suggested for reading at the beginning of this thread has many good points, but in my opinion it makes three fundamental errors. First is the error in tone, which at times seems much more testy than the situation warrants. Second is the misunderstanding of what a query board or mailing list is all about. Third is the assumption that the transmission of errors over time is a new, Internet-specific, phenomenon. It is NOT. It is very important for any serious researcher, whether gathering information for a family reunion or preparing for publication, to properly document the sources of any statement. But one does not need to adhere to standards set by NEHGS or TAG or any other group to be involved in an online discussion. Once an interesting tidbit has surfaced, *that* is the time to request the originator's evidence; and yes, that question *should* be asked. Otherwise you might as well make it all up. But you don't need to footnote your QUERIES, for heaven's sake. My vision for GARDNER-L is that it will be a community, focused on finding out as much as possible about the family of folks who carry or carried the surname GARDNER, however they came about it. There will be a few off-topic posts, and some of the messages will be sloppy in accuracy, spelling, even thought processes. Some of the queries will confidently assert things that just ain't so. We can deal with those, we are family here. We can share questions without slaving over the format or citations, although clarity always helps. So keep asking, and throw in what you heard from who-knows-where if you think it might help. And when you have gathered whatever you can from this list, get yourself to a library or Family History Center and *verify* it from contemporary credible documents. Failure to do so puts you squarely in the ranks of the gullible, or the careless. But whatever you do, please don't start over <grin>. Darrell GARDNER list admin [email protected]

Right on Darrell ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 15, 2001 7:30 AM Subject: Re: [GARDNER] Suggestion > Hi, all: > > The article on RootsWeb that was suggested for reading at the > beginning of this thread has many good points, but in my opinion it > makes three fundamental errors. First is the error in tone, which at > times seems much more testy than the situation warrants. Second is the > misunderstanding of what a query board or mailing list is all about. > Third is the assumption that the transmission of errors over time is a > new, Internet-specific, phenomenon. It is NOT. > > It is very important for any serious researcher, whether gathering > information for a family reunion or preparing for publication, to > properly document the sources of any statement. But one does not need > to adhere to standards set by NEHGS or TAG or any other group to be > involved in an online discussion. Once an interesting tidbit has > surfaced, *that* is the time to request the originator's evidence; and > yes, that question *should* be asked. Otherwise you might as well make > it all up. But you don't need to footnote your QUERIES, for heaven's sake. > > My vision for GARDNER-L is that it will be a community, focused on > finding out as much as possible about the family of folks who carry or > carried the surname GARDNER, however they came about it. There will be > a few off-topic posts, and some of the messages will be sloppy in > accuracy, spelling, even thought processes. Some of the queries will > confidently assert things that just ain't so. We can deal with those, > we are family here. We can share questions without slaving over the > format or citations, although clarity always helps. So keep asking, > and throw in what you heard from who-knows-where if you think it might > help. > > And when you have gathered whatever you can from this list, get > yourself to a library or Family History Center and *verify* it from > contemporary credible documents. Failure to do so puts you squarely in > the ranks of the gullible, or the careless. But whatever you do, > please don't start over <grin>. > > Darrell > GARDNER list admin > [email protected] > > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 >

Amen! Marilynn ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 15, 2001 1:30 PM Subject: Re: [GARDNER] Suggestion > Hi, all: > > The article on RootsWeb that was suggested for reading at the > beginning of this thread has many good points, but in my opinion it > makes three fundamental errors. First is the error in tone, which at