I can’t help myself, I just have to add my $.02 worth. We all have to remember that knowing one’s family history for in the most part is a new thing. The average American 30 to 40 years ago had no idea of their family history back passed their grandparents. The average American didn’t care or didn’t have the know how or had the resources available. All we knew was we came here from somewhere else! The rich and famous or those that wanted to rub elbows with the rich and famous always had a honorable and upstanding family history that when back hundreds of years. They had it in print, and didn’t you know “If its in a book it has to be the truth”. Knowing one’s family history back to whenever was more of a social thing to brag about, not to many years ago. There is evidence that some people, for a price, did find, make-up, leave out information or twist the truth to fit their client so they were the great-grandson or great-granddaughter of whoever they wanted and many times the client didn’t even know. I guess they had to keep the client happy. However, most historical compiler do and did the best they can. As I remember the three volume set of Lyman Chalkey “Chronicles” is about 1800 type set pages. I wonder how much time it took the man to compile 1800 pages of information, had to take years. How did the man even keep tract of what he covered and didn’t cover from day to day. Today he would have a staff of compilers? Wonder how much profit he made for years of work? My comment to those that find fault with his work. “If you can do a better job, why don’t you redo it. But remember you cannot make any errors or leave out any related material regardless of the reason or how many thousand or so pages it may take”. Get real. I have compiled several family history books. One had much researched done in Augusta County. Some of that research cost me several hundred dollars with a well known Augusta County researcher of the day. I made the 600 mile one-way trip more then I care to count. Pencil and pad no lap-top. At the time I don’t think they made lap-tops. Well copies was only $.05 each. Please note, I refer to myself as a compiler I’m not an author. A author writes his version of history, a compiler, compiles the facts of that history. Then came the information age driven in most part by the internet. Now, some want to research their family history from their living room. I hate to burst your bubble, “Can’t be done”...... The one thing that makes my blood pressure go up. If I want to see some of the information that I compiled and uploaded to the internet in the beginning I have to pay to see it. Darrell

Dear Darrell, What you say is correct and still people don't get their lineage correct. Our Hendricks Family Association spent gobs of money and years collecting Hendricks Family data we now offer for free on a DVD - 2+GBits. We know it is not entirely correct and we say it. So what we do is we give the DVD away for those who will have their Hendricks Y-DNA test done. What does DNA prove? It proves which line of Hendricks you are kin to. The record helps you sort though the data to map your family if it is there. Many people are greatly disapppointed and other elated at finally finding out who they were related to and where they came via the DNA test.. They also find knowledgeable people who will help solve their family lineage because they are now known cousins proven by DNA testing.. It does not give you a lineage chart but it point you in the correct direction. So when it comes to research it is best to know what is the best truth you can get but DNA testing will point the way in the end. ----- Original Message ----- From: Darrell Vessell To: vaaugust@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 2:03 AM Subject: Re: [VAAUGUST] Chalkley and nitpicking I can't help myself, I just have to add my $.02 worth. We all have to remember that knowing one's family history for in the most part is a new thing. The average American 30 to 40 years ago had no idea of their family history back passed their grandparents. The average American didn't care or didn't have the know how or had the resources available. All we knew was we came here from somewhere else! The rich and famous or those that wanted to rub elbows with the rich and famous always had a honorable and upstanding family history that when back hundreds of years. They had it in print, and didn't you know "If its in a book it has to be the truth". Knowing one's family history back to whenever was more of a social thing to brag about, not to many years ago. There is evidence that some people, for a price, did find, make-up, leave out information or twist the truth to fit their client so they were the great-grandson or great-granddaughter of whoever they wanted and many times the client didn't even know. I guess they had to keep the client happy. However, most historical compiler do and did the best they can. As I remember the three volume set of Lyman Chalkey "Chronicles" is about 1800 type set pages. I wonder how much time it took the man to compile 1800 pages of information, had to take years. How did the man even keep tract of what he covered and didn't cover from day to day. Today he would have a staff of compilers? Wonder how much profit he made for years of work? My comment to those that find fault with his work. "If you can do a better job, why don't you redo it. But remember you cannot make any errors or leave out any related material regardless of the reason or how many thousand or so pages it may take". Get real. I have compiled several family history books. One had much researched done in Augusta County. Some of that research cost me several hundred dollars with a well known Augusta County researcher of the day. I made the 600 mile one-way trip more then I care to count. Pencil and pad no lap-top. At the time I don't think they made lap-tops. Well copies was only $.05 each. Please note, I refer to myself as a compiler I'm not an author. A author writes his version of history, a compiler, compiles the facts of that history. Then came the information age driven in most part by the internet. Now, some want to research their family history from their living room. I hate to burst your bubble, "Can't be done"...... The one thing that makes my blood pressure go up. If I want to see some of the information that I compiled and uploaded to the internet in the beginning I have to pay to see it. Darrell ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Third Sunday in each month will set aside for a "Brick Wall" Roll Call. Please always put the surname you seek in the subject and tell us something about your Brick Wall person. To contact Listowner: Rena Worthen doreatr@rbnet.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to VAAUGUST-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message