Thanks Kathy for your comments - I don't necessarily agree with them - but the fact is that you've found a venue in which to voice your opinion (this mailing list). Which is exactly what the various genealogy bloggers you mention are doing. I've kept relatively quiet about Sharon Tate Moody's article and while I don't feel as passionately about it as some others do (I've opted not to express my views), I respect the fact that the article has initiated a conversation about a variety of topics. Before we go bad-mouthing the bloggers (which happens frequently in the genealogy community), let me say that Sharon nor anyone who publishes content on the Internet should be surprised by the comments and posts. This is a reality of "putting yourself out there" in terms of producing content and publishing. You need a pretty thick skin to do this - which most columnists and bloggers have. I am actually enjoying the conversation in the community that has developed even though I don't agree with everything being written. I do think there are issues as to how we as a community of genealogists welcomes newcomers. I'd rather have us talk about it than not talk about it. This isn't about bad karma. This is about having an opinion and voicing it. Cheers Thomas MacEntee Founder, High-Definition Genealogy http://hidefgen.com +1 (773) 661-3080 -----Original Message----- From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Kathy Gunter Sullivan, CG Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2012 7:59 PM To: TGF Subject: [TGF] Bad Karma I cannot comment at the /Tampa Bay/ website <http://www2.tbo.com/lifestyles/life/2012/nov/18/banewso8-drive-by-genealogi sts-should-learn-a-few-ar-567094/> because I do not do Facebook. Some bloggers have picked up the article and made it a "cause" in bloggers' world. <http://wetree.blogspot.com/2012/11/time-to-pop-cap-in-term-drive-by.html> <http://mmgenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/11/grand-theft-genealogy.html> <http://sherifenley.blogspot.com/2012/11/ketchup-and-thanksgiving-this-is-no t.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot% 2FrwzNy+%28THE++EDUCATED++GENEALOGIST%29> The slammed author attempts to point out and educate about problems with evidence evaluation. Hyperbole--exaggeration to create emphasis or effect--is employed by many authors and bloggers to make a point is not a bad thing. In this instance it is inflated on flogs (oops, blogs) as if it is a personal attack on "hobbiests" [/sic]/ and Ancestry.com--neither of which were mentioned in the author's article. And as if "license" was a serious proposition. There was no personal attack upon anyone in the author's article despite the prevailing crowd mentality of the commentators (a few of whom admit they have not even read the article). Not everything about is "you" (whoever you are). There is no common-sense reason to take every comment by an author or a blogger as a personal affront. Kathy Gunter Sullivan The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thomas McEntee wrote: [snipped] > I do think there are issues as to how we as a community of genealogists > welcomes newcomers. One of the issues is criticism of beginning genealogists' work, as when they post a family tree containing erroneous information. Better education of beginners could curtail the criticism. Genealogy information providers, like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, should place a statement at the beginning of their education pages to the effect that proof is a fundamental concept in family (genealogical) research. In order not to alienate potential researchers (customers, in the case of Ancestry), the providers could follow the statement by saying many of the sources of proof are available at their website. Bonnie Dunphy Kohler South Florida

Thomas Macentee said, in part, "... This isn't about bad karma. This is about having an opinion and voicing it." I am a bit late to this discussion, but I think you have nailed it Thomas.  Just before enjoying our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, one of the things my family gave thanks for is that we live in a country where we can express divergent views without repercussion.  This thread is a live example of how fortunate we are to be able to share disparate views in a lively yet civilized and constructive discussion.    Sherry Chapman  1stopgenealogy.net