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