tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post2069749036909233486..comments2024-03-26T11:22:41.940-07:00Comments on Genea-Musings: Musings On Genealogy "Expertise," "Elites" and EducationRandy Seaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17477703429102065294noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-78632187643732847552014-04-09T05:42:32.067-07:002014-04-09T05:42:32.067-07:00Absolutely read it all and loved every word. This...Absolutely read it all and loved every word. This is my favorite post on the subject. I, too, find that being a life-long learner the way to go. We are all at different spots along that path and I've always found that those ahead of me to be so willing to help.Diana Ritchiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05954839264299339937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-7651975950232773872014-04-08T15:43:32.092-07:002014-04-08T15:43:32.092-07:00Well said, Wendi. I have learned to be more carefu...Well said, Wendi. I have learned to be more careful with citing only because I have had too many occasions where I wanted to see the information again and I had no idea where I had gotten it. I learned to cite well enough that I could find it. <br /><br />The online trees. Some are good and some not so good. Even if it isn't cited but I recognize all the names, I'm likely to use it to help me. I do have to say there are very few that I have used. But when you hit that bonanza! Yowzers! Jackpot! I will always be grateful to who ever posted their tree all over the internet that included George and Elbridge Walker. I still run across it at new places. I have a little updated info I would like to share with them but no way to do it.Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13256855136448978468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-89963019934356121652014-04-08T11:49:53.722-07:002014-04-08T11:49:53.722-07:00"We can't make people learn until they re..."We can't make people learn until they realize that they need it" - that's the statement and the attitude I take issue with. I don't want to be a professional genealogist. I do it for fun. I don't "need" to do anything. It's a hobby, for my own entertainment only. If I'm satisfied that my source of information is legitimate, that's enough for me. I don't need to master genealogical proof, or anything else genealogical - I'm an amateur, and that's fine with me. I don't need to explain my evidence to anyone but me. I know a lot of people who've been put off genealogy because they go on the internet and read all this stuff about the "right" way to do it. To each his own, I say. If you want to be an expert, great! More power to you. I salute you. Good for you to have the time and energy to take it to that level. I don't have the time, the energy, or more importantly, the desire, to be an expert. I just want to know who my folks are, and have fun finding out. Certainly there is room in this wonderful world for all of us, at all levels, without making some of us feel like we "need" to be doing anything other than what brings us satisfaction and pleasure in the endeavor. Just my .02. :)Wendihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12129976996156466677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-19197531187411480992014-04-08T09:30:28.994-07:002014-04-08T09:30:28.994-07:00This is a great post and response to the other pos...This is a great post and response to the other posts mentioned. My feelings are we spend way too much time on this and need to get back to the basics of researching. Along the way you are sure to run into someone who appears to be elistest, but they can have a bad day just like anyone else. Your comments are appreciated and respected. I did read to the end.gophergenealogyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03440793574085228625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-37059006411687253782014-04-08T07:42:32.590-07:002014-04-08T07:42:32.590-07:00I read it all the way to the end and loved the art...I read it all the way to the end and loved the article! I would have to echo what others have mentioned...I've never run into any "evil elites" or for that matter, anyone who wasn't willing to offer at least a little help. I have to say that as a community, I actually think that genealogy is one of the most accessible in terms of getting help and assistance from those who have the expertise!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15152163547646649391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-35557020744515924252014-04-08T05:35:06.581-07:002014-04-08T05:35:06.581-07:00Carleen Foster,
You can always leave a comment on...Carleen Foster,<br /><br />You can always leave a comment on the Person profile of to the owner about your concern. They may or may not do anything, but your comment will be there.<br /><br />RussCousin Russhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00326890362591254874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-61771450504914982732014-04-07T23:21:12.732-07:002014-04-07T23:21:12.732-07:00Read it all. Agree with all. Question however on...Read it all. Agree with all. Question however on all the unsourced and really screwed up trees (children born prior to parents, extra children, grandchildren listed as children etc). I definitely use them for clues. When I see something that I would like to be true, I write and ask for the source (answer usually is from another unsourced Ancestry tree) but should I let people know when I know something is wrong. I looked at 15 trees this evening, with only 1 having citations and whoopee, copies of documents. The others all had incorrect information (or full dates with the census given as the source). Some of errors were so obvious. Fear of doing something stupid myself has kept me from submitting an online pedigree! Though since I am LDS and my pedigree is automatically on FamilySearch I am attempting to clean it up.<br /><br />Regards a faithful reader<br /><br />Carleen Fostercjtfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13252698519886358485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-68342943958542551572014-04-07T22:22:57.390-07:002014-04-07T22:22:57.390-07:00I read every word, Randy! Thanks for all your effo...I read every word, Randy! Thanks for all your efforts! Well said!<br />DeborahDeborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02010145024918694524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-88984742265433596302014-04-07T19:58:35.283-07:002014-04-07T19:58:35.283-07:00I read it to the end and think you have cut to the...I read it to the end and think you have cut to the heart of where most researchers spend the majority of their time, which is on the journey, not in a fixed or static place. <br /><br />My formal education was in anthropology and I find it terribly difficult to break from citing resources in American Anthropologist style because it's been driven into my DNA after all this time. <br /><br />In my journey to learn Evidence Explained citation style I have never been called out on my lapses into AA style and have been grateful for that! It is a huge challenge for me and it may take me years to get it right. But I keep plugging away with my copy of Evidence Explained in my lap. <br /><br />No police at the door so far...Lowcountry Africanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09701850747173464041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-84959112912903368652014-04-07T19:28:32.423-07:002014-04-07T19:28:32.423-07:00I read it to the end as well, Randy. Thank you. An...I read it to the end as well, Randy. Thank you. Another fine contribution to the community for this blog of yours! Well said. Dr. Bill (not part of the "elite" by any means...) ;-)Dr. Bill (William L.) Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04857619677138020430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-23259864161623414892014-04-07T18:33:11.226-07:002014-04-07T18:33:11.226-07:00Great blog post! Like you, I've been doing thi...Great blog post! Like you, I've been doing this a long time but only been spending massive time since I retired a few years ago. I clearly remember when I started in the early '70's having everything on paper and trying to photocopy information and title pages alike so I would remember where the information came from. I seem to recall most of my education, at that time, came from FHC volunteers and librarians at various facilities. Like you, I am not certified but do try to take advantage of as many webinars, videos, seminars, conferences, society events, etc as I can. I am amazed at the amount of free and low cost education that is available for those who want to learn and the number of well-known genealogists (both professional and not) who are willing to provide help and advice. In turn, I try to give back by providing help where appropriate and many times when I give back, I also learn something. What more could one ask for? Thanks for spelling out your thoughts, Randy.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872611412168402726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-47647456505880160862014-04-07T17:38:38.918-07:002014-04-07T17:38:38.918-07:00Read to the end, and agree wholeheartedly! I began...Read to the end, and agree wholeheartedly! I began with a book and a workbook many years ago, and am now in ProGen21 (having taken most of those steps you mentioned along the way). It takes time and hard work, but I owe much to the gracious sharing of knowledge of those more learned than me. They are a generous and welcoming group that I hope to emulate one day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10244376105048170573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-61052695784187512752014-04-07T17:12:24.043-07:002014-04-07T17:12:24.043-07:00I read every word Randy. Now to go and read the a...I read every word Randy. Now to go and read the articles you referenced. <br />Thank you for your summary. <br /><br />Diane Michigan Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00414264287990684010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-88232609874257982052014-04-07T16:59:37.316-07:002014-04-07T16:59:37.316-07:00Randy,
Well said, and Thank you.
Its an honor to...Randy,<br /><br />Well said, and Thank you.<br /><br />Its an honor to be able to comment on your blog post among other great GeneaBloggers.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your experience and your observation on this topic.<br /><br />RussCousin Russhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00326890362591254874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-52702034984435204362014-04-07T16:45:23.980-07:002014-04-07T16:45:23.980-07:00Enjoyed your post Randy and I read it all the way ...Enjoyed your post Randy and I read it all the way through to the end! <br />Although there are occasional dust-ups (and every field has them, let's not fool ourselves), the genealogy field is filled with thoughtful, helpful and genuinely kind and encouraging people. Social media is a double-edged sword. We have immediate access to and the ability to comment on any topic and our thoughts are pushed out to the world. Sometimes we need to give our posts and comments a bit of time before hitting publish.Tessa Keoughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146870113899850353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-36118583824481117382014-04-07T16:42:30.295-07:002014-04-07T16:42:30.295-07:00I read it all, too! Well said, Randy!I read it all, too! Well said, Randy!Bill Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01266937924453737084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-23708610213009663662014-04-07T15:28:37.733-07:002014-04-07T15:28:37.733-07:00Read it all! Thanks, Randy.
Those who refer to t...Read it all! Thanks, Randy.<br /><br />Those who refer to the "elite" are a bit hazy about meaning. Credentialed? Journal editor? Frequently published?<br /><br />I share the experience of Michael John: I've never had contact with a FASG, CG, etc. who acted like an ~elitist~ with the exception of on one mailing list several years ago (the person no longer with us). In my book, that was just the odd cowbird in a flock of songbirds.<br /><br />Underlying a lot of this discussion is critical-to-angry perspectives on silliness in trees. This will persist, in part because some of the marketers benefit. But I think your end of point 12, "we can't make people learn until they realize that they need it," is the key.<br /><br />Most of the experienced and skilled do whatever they can to foster the learning environment. All are to be commended.<br />Geoloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12050268303916428230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-64445546060847550442014-04-07T15:21:05.419-07:002014-04-07T15:21:05.419-07:00I read all the article and yours till the end! We...I read all the article and yours till the end! Well I don't really know who the "Elite" is since I only read the likes of you and Judy Russell who are always sharing and helping us "Newbies". I had to chuckle about the "Genealogy Police"! I am also a quilter and we are always worried about the "Quilt Police". We should just ignore them, do the very best we can and continue to improve every day.<br />Annick Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14622957456021938836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-9453679252022251422014-04-07T14:40:02.900-07:002014-04-07T14:40:02.900-07:00And I did too, and appreciate your thoughts, Randy...And I did too, and appreciate your thoughts, Randy. I keep wondering who the "evil elite" may be, since I've never encountered anyone I would consider elite who has not been gracious in sharing knowledge and guiding me along... something for which I am most grateful.Judy G. Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09684727163817159899noreply@blogger.com