OK....I'm not going to let this boil into a controversy. ANY source of information that is received by any one of us MUST be double checked for validity. This is a responsibility of each of us. As for putting the letter itself on the list, as long as it was dated that long ago, and there was nothing in it to embarrass anyone in particular, I see no harm in it. However, we must all remember that when we quote copyrighted information, to always give the name of the owner of the information, and if they are living, to ask the permission of them before posting to the list. This was of a particularly "different" nature, and the "owner" is now the person who has the copy in hand. If I felt there had been a problem with posting it, I would have said something long before now. There is much that we can glean from such things that are in our possession from our ancestors. Even if it is someone who is not related to us in particular, it gives us insight about the people of that time and era. As long as this is done with discretion, I see no harm in it. Mari Listowner Ratliff-L At 12:13 PM 10/24/98 -0400, you wrote: :In a message dated 98-10-24 03:00:19 EDT, you write: : :<< : Dear list readers, : Several days ago I posted a letter dated 1909 on the list. It came to : me as many things do to all researchers, hand to hand to hand... I found : it interesting and worth sharing. : At least three of the former owners (including the original author of : the letter) are all deceased, so can not be questioned as to why they : kept it, or what real value it held for them to pass on to others. : I have received a personal E-mail from a member of the list, who claims : that this letter, in at least part, is about her family and that the : content is in great question to its validity. >> : : :Kelly, :Don't be sorry for putting the letter on the mail list. It is very :interesting and I thought we were suppose to share the info we have with each :other to check out ourselves. Just because we haven't proven something is no :reason not to share it. We learn from each other. :Carollyn Guidry : : :==== RATLIFF Mailing List ==== :If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me : *--*--*--*--*--*--*Happy Hunting!!*--*--*--*--*--*--* : Mari, RATLIFF List Owner mailto:[email protected] :