I am really sympathetic to the problem of errors on the Internet. However, we need to consider whether the error is in the orginal document or in the transcription of the original document. For example, Chalkley's Chronicles .... involved the scanning of three volumes of court records, about 1800 pages of material. There are errors made in the original text. We do not correct those errors even though someone comes along and points out that the spelling of a surname is wrong. Spelling was a relative thing in the 18th century. However, if what appears online is different from the original, then we change it. Hopefully there is not much of this because we did have a very careful system of proofing. None-the-less errors can creep in, and these must be fixed. Of greater concern to me is the total lack of any recognition on the part of the USGenWeb entity that we help spread around a lot of misinformation. The "project" takes no responsibility in trying to improve the lot of the flawed information which we help disseminate. Just as one small example, when the Augusta County started using GenConnect boards, I tried to stem the tide, at least for Augusta County, of posting hokey information on the system by giving some rules of good citation. http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaaugust/augusta3.htm Not sure it does any good, but it makes me feel better. :) Carmen Finley At 12:12 PM 05/12/2000 -0400, Alley Blackford wrote: >If the purpose of the archives is to always have info online for >researchers, then shouldn't that info be corrected if what was submitted is >incorrect and proof is offered for corrections? > >Two examples that I know of: > >1) 1850 Shenandoah Co census lists George McWilliams as George Williams. > >SK Publication has McWms listed as Williams in the index and the info online >duplicates the error. The proof is on the actual census page. I have a >copy and can provide proof. > >2) Linden Cemetery in Warren Co, VA gives incorrect date of birth for Annie >Showers. > >I have a picture of her tombstone. > >I wrote to two different people about these errors. One reply was that the >writer didn't know if the census online could be changed after it was >online. I didn't receive a reply regarding the tombstone. > >The tombstone records of Linden Cemetery have now been copied to another >website and the copy contains the same error. (The copying is an assumption >on my part because if someone viewed the tombstone they would see the >correct date. I think the submitted date of birth could be a typo.) > >Is it really impossible to correct errors in archives? > >Alley Blackford >Shenandoah Co VAGenWeb CC >alleyb@worldnet.att.net > > > > > > >