My friends - The good people at the National Genealogical Society have published some standards relative to how electronic media should be used in genealogical research. They are right on-point, and I want to share them with you here. -B ============================================================ Standards For Use Of Technology In Genealogical Research Recommended by the National Genealogical Society Mindful that computers are tools, genealogists take full responsibility for their work, and therefore they— - learn the capabilities and limits of their equipment and software, and use them only when they are the most appropriate tools for a purpose. -refuse to let computer software automatically embellish their work. treat compiled information from on-line sources or digital data bases like that from other published sources, useful primarily as a guide to locating original records, but not as evidence for a conclusion or assertion. -accept digital images or enhancements of an original record as a satisfactory substitute for the original only when there is reasonable assurance that the image accurately reproduces the unaltered original. -cite sources for data obtained on-line or from digital media with the same care that is appropriate for sources on paper and other traditional media, and enter data into a digital database only when its source can remain associated with it. -always cite the sources for information or data posted on-line or sent to others, naming the author of a digital file as its immediate source, while crediting original sources cited within the file. -preserve the integrity of their own data bases by evaluating the reliability of downloaded data before incorporating it into their own files. -provide, whenever they alter data received in digital form, a description of the change that will accompany the altered data whenever it is shared with others. -actively oppose the proliferation of error, rumor and fraud by personally verifying or correcting information, or noting it as unverified, before passing it on to others. -treat people on-line as courteously and civilly as they would treat them face-to- face, not separated by networks and anonymity. -accept that technology has not changed the principles of genealogical research, only some of the procedures. ~~~~~~~ ©1997 by National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including this notice.