In article <-7adnfVFJNGbWynanZ2dnUVZ_saknZ2d@rcn.net>, singhals <singhals@erols.com> writes: > Robert Melson wrote: >> In article <47b2f854.4787453@newsgroups.bellsouth.net>, >> Eagle@bellsouth.net (J. Hugh Sullivan) writes: >> >>>On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:44:18 -0800 (PST), "dogqruomlrsa@yahoo.com" >>><dogqruomlrsa@yahoo.com> wrote: >>> >>> >>>>Genealogy is a popular pastime. It is natural to be curious about >>>>one's roots and family history, and genealogy allows all of the >>>>information to be compiled and passed along to future generations. >>>>The internet has proved to be a powerful tool for genealogists, >>>>allowing easier searches of records as well as the sharing of >>>>information between genealogists who share a common line. This article >>>>will discuss some of the common questions surrounding genealogy and >>>>family history that may help you find your ancestors. >>>>What is genealogy? >>>>Genealogy can be defined as the study and recording of one's family >>>>history. The information is recorded in a document known as a family >>>>tree. Information that may be documented in the written record >>>>includes birth, death and marriage dates, names of spouse(s) and >>>>children, and perhaps pertinent historical or medical data. >>>>Why is genealogy important? >>>>We are ultimately the product of those who have gone before us. In >>>>order to understand ourselves better, it is important to understand >>>>where we came from. Additionally, genealogy may be used to find lost >>>>relatives or trace a line of descendants from a well-known >>>>ancestor.... >>>> >>>>http://groups.google.com/group/familytreesyvs >>> >>>Genealogy has become a hobby - lots more than just a pasttime. >>> >>>The term Family History is an abused term - many people use it as an >>>excuse to depart from bloodlines and that is not acceptable in >>>genealogy. We need to keep the distinction in my opinion. >>> >>>Genealogy is also full of DNA surprises. I find that my closest MRCAs >>>are three different surnames, none Sullivan so far. >>> >>>Hugh >>> >> >> Y'all can call it whatever-the-hell you want; really makes no >> nevermind, nohow. What I do, and call genealogy because it's >> a commonly understood term, combines elements of both history >> and bloodlines, but has room for the rare adoptee. That I >> choose to call it genealogy changes nothing about what it is >> that I do, it merely applies a useful label to the activity. >> As Alfred Korzybski famously said, "the name is not the thing; >> the map is not the territory." We could as easily call >> whatever it is we're doing "fribbling"; so long as we are >> agreed as to the broad, basic elements of what "fribbling" >> consists of, we're able to discuss it and exchange ideas >> and information about it, even though the details of MY >> definition differ from yours - it's that area where the >> definitions intersect that's important and that makes it >> possible for us to exchange our views regarding "fribbling", >> "fribblers" and "fribblology". >> >> So, let's not get ourselves wrapped around the axle here. >> >> Semantic Ol' Bob >> > > > Fine, so long as what _you_ call a fribble isn't what _I_ > call a flippit. > > (g) > > Cheryl > > "... so long as we are agreed as to the broad, basic elements of what 'fribbling' consists of ..." No two individuals' definitions of _anything_ are in complete agreement - we're able to communicate because those definitions intersect to some greater or lesser degree as a result of shared culture or experience or any of a host of things. I suppose what I object to in this discussion is the attempt to narrowly define an activity that probably has as many definitions as there are people engaged in it. What I do and choose to call genealogy for convenience is not the same thing YOU do and call by the same name, although there are certainly common elements to both - the area where our definitions intersect. Who, then, is right? Or are we both right? I think the latter. 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