Tonight, we will observe the usual rules... write down your questions, and we will discuss after class.

 

Tonight’s topic-- Etiquette, and Ethics

As most of us are doing a great deal of research on the Internet, I would first like to talk about queries and the proper way to post them. The first thing to put in a query is usually a surname

There is a way to do this.

If you always put your surname in capital letters, it makes it stand out WEST--for example.

When I look through queries, I look for the surname to see if I relate

The second thing is to make sure you put not only the names of the ancestors you are looking for put the dates they lived, and the area as well.

There are many people who browse queries, and if you don’t give enough information, they won’t respond. Quite frankly, you want to make sure you don’t put in too much information as well. There are many places to post queries on the Internet...keep a log of where you have posted and check on them from time to time, some sites email you when someone replies some do not, and you don’t want to have important information just sitting out there. There are many ways to look for information on the net...queries message boards are the most common but if you put your surname into a search engine, you will find pages where people have posted their ancestry. If you have a web page, check to see what you have to do to get it submitted to those search engines. One of the greatest things about the Internet, and doing genealogy on it, is that there are many people doing the same thing. I have connected with so many cousins on the Internet. I am constantly amazed.

My Mullinicks surname for example, even made ritalace laugh!

I posted several queries, and even after a year, am still getting replies to it...

We have a surnames page, and make sure you post your surnames to that as well.

The other thing I want to stress, and I cannot stress strongly enough

is that you cannot simply take someone else’s research and use it as the gospel

You need to do some checking, and make sure that the facts are true.

This will require checks in the census, the libraries and other proofs we genealogists use

When you start your research, one of the very first things you need to do is talk to the oldest people in your family. There are a few key issues to remember/deal with when visiting these family members. First of all, never drop in on people-- Especially older people who have a very set routine in life... Call ahead and ask if you may come and visit...explain the nature of your visit. Sometimes, we think we need lists of questions to ask, and a guideline might not be a bad idea, if there are certain facts you are looking for. If you plan to tape the conversation, you need to explain to these folks, what you are doing and why.

If you are simply researching family history, state it.

If you are going to use their conversation, or answers to your questions...please explain to them why then begin asking questions in a way that encourages visiting. Many times, old people cannot answer a question if you ask it straight out. Ask them what they can remember about their lives as youngsters...what they did at Christmas.. Who came for dinner... If you can get them started, they will remember far more than if you ask, what year was great Aunt Bessie born

If you can relax them, they will be far more receptive to your questions. It is appropriate to offer a copy of your material to those helping you and don’t forget the courtesy of a follow up note, or a small gift. Another good idea, is to bring along some stamped, self addressed envelopes that way, if they remember something several days later, they can write down and mail to you.

Most of the older folks in our families have bibles in which they kept certain things. There are sections in bibles for writing down events and dates. People put the fold outs from funerals in their bibles. When you visit the elderly, ask them about those kinds of things

and, if they give you information about something that you know is wrong resist the temptation to tell them! They won’t appreciate it, and will clam up. There are a lot of older folks I have visited who didn’t know me very well. I have found that the best way to go at it, is to get them talking... If your family isn’t near you, then it is time to start a letter writing campaign. You will want to write to family members, historical societies, records clerks, town clerks etc Any time that you write and ask for information, always remember to send that envelope for the return. If you are asking a private person for copies of records, or photos, be prepared to pay for the cost of it-- 25 cents a page is nearly always appropriate. The second thing is to make up your letter. You will want to ask precise questions, and limit them to one or two at the most. You may have to write more than one letter to this person, but if you overwhelm them, you will guarantee that your letter will be filed and not answered. Ask your questions clearly. State their use.

For instance

Looking for parents of family of John Jones, b. 1820 and his wife Mary Jones b. 1824

If you have any other pertinent information to add to that, then by all means do so state that you are working on the family tree, or are having a reunion and looking for descendants of:

But please resist the temptation to write a small novel!

This is a tip from ritalace but I thought it very pertinent to this lesson.

If you are writing to a clerk, especially a town clerk of a small city, and the help you get is from volunteers, it will pay you to slip some small bill in the envelope This is NOT to say they wont help if you don’t, but might get you a reply faster. Consider it a tip...

The larger genealogical societies usually have a set fee for this information

If you say something like am including a small donation, it doesn’t sound like a bribe, when contacting the smaller ones

Need a break?

Any questions to this point? Thoughts?

tbharris94 says, different search engines can give you different results right?

Marieclassof86 says, yes TB

cagletigger says, where will I find out how they named a street after my grandfather

yes, I would try harris

cagle, try the city records maybe an engineering office, or a streets department

they can tell you who to contact I would try city hall... just ask that very question

calb119 says, jr. if your close by, you can talk to neighbors. they love to talk especially the older ones!

That’s right calb and when you visit the elderly on a genealogy expedition, remember that

and allow enough time for them to talk as long as they wish.

\Next weeks lesson will be on Proof--what kinds of proof you need for your ancestry... and where/how to find those documents.

The other thing I would like to speak about tonight is Ethics.

There aren’t any genealogy police out there, and we all have to use good sense, proper manners when dealing with others we are seeking information from.

This community of researchers is sometimes judged by the actions of a single individual

If you go to the county clerks office, and make waves you will ruin it for those who will come after you looking for information. Generally, these people have jobs to do, and helping you IS NOT ONE OF THEM. Or let me say, maybe not their favorite

From the book The Source, by Leretto Dennis Szucs and Sandra Luebking:

To maintain easy access to institutions, to preserve record availability and to ensure an excellent reputation every researcher must behave in an exemplary manner when collecting family history material Many genealogical societies publish codes of ethics...as such:

 

1. I will be courteous and respectful to all records custodians, librarians, archivists, and others who serve the public

2. I will handle carefully all books or records entrusted to me and return them to the designated place

3. I will not tear, erase, mark or remove any document book or filmn, nor will I mutilate deface destroy or otherwise destroy any part of such document book or film

4.     I will present my genealogical findings with honesty and integrity, using permission when necessary and attributing work that is not my own to the proper entity

Now, I realize that most of us would NEVER do any of this stuff

but imagine what happens to the researcher who follows someone who does?

Not going to get a very good reception are they?

It makes good sense to be courteous folks

Even if someone is rude to you, being pleasant is the only way to go

How many of you have been in the gen chat room here in yahoo?

vickyal_124 says, me-

calb119 says, i have jr

cagletigger says, i have

tbharris94 says, me 3

c_rae_KS says, I have

I used to spend a lot of time in gen chat as a matter of fact, that is where most of the early members of this club came from someone would come into the chat room, and ask a question sometimes they got answers, sometimes they were treated rudely, and not helped at all. I have had a lot of fun in the chat room, but it got so bad in there, that I haven’t been in a while.

Also, when you are in there...try to be receptive to those needing help. Just a little plug for the club, If you cant help them, please send them to me...or Rita Marie or Vicky. Someone who can help them will make their journey a whole lot smoother.

I think that about wraps it up for this evening...

Any questions?

any discussion?

tbharris94 says, not really a question but I know what you were taking about getting a rude response in gen chat been there done that and haven’t been back.

And that is a shame tb...

Because when I first started looking at genealogy, I went there

vickyal_124 says, also speaking of message boards/mailing list -be sure you put john smith info on the smith board or list an only post genealogy related info

Marieclassof86 says, I think one thing to remember when you are in chat is that tone of voice doesn't carry over the computer.

Is a shame that those people don’t get the help they need

calb119 says, that's where I found jr. now she can't shake me. lol

Ah, and you are doing well Calb

tbharris94 says, and the thing was is that i needed help badly and still do for that matter but i don’t feel like wasting my time you know

right tb... there really isn’t much help in there

vickyal_124 says, i have found that there are folks in the gen room that are trying to help folks like trees

cagletigger says, i am stuck on looking up my grandfather on the military web sites. Any suggestions?

Cagle, do you have his service number?

vickyal_124 says, but there are a majority of folks who could careless if you get help or not

tbharris94 says, Cagle do you have his military number and/or social security #

calb119 says, when i first started i got lots of help there.

and have you been to http://www.nara.gov

tbharris94 says, that is so true Vicky by the way you need my e-mail address again?

cagletigger says, i have his social security # but i do not know his military number

There are some who help in gen chat

What time frame Cagle?

and some depends on the time of day you go in there

cagletigger says, World War I

tbharris94 says, you can get the address to the military records from NARA and send off for his service records

Just want you to all not be afraid to send anyone who needs help to me

tbharris94 says, im getting a copy of records and the medals he received from them WWI as well

If I cant help them, I can get them helped

Marieclassof86 says, I did look ups today for a lady in California who was researching Bedford Co. TN

calb119 says, jr. how do you post the address so quickly?

Any of you looking for military information, go to the nara site and read about the Freedom of Information Act

lol...done it many times calb

Marieclassof86 says, spent about an hour and a half on it

tbharris94 says, tbharris@mindspring.com vicky

Marieclassof86 says, but its rewarding

And did she remember to say thank you Marie?

cagletigger says, ok thanks everyone. Can someone send me a copy of this transcript?

vickyal_124 says, I’m looking for info on the ship USS Westpoint an company L-276 inf 70th div

calb119 says, but when someone ask, i'm not sure what to do...

Marieclassof86 says, yes she sent me a nice email ....

calb119 says, can't find it fast enough

tbharris94 says, jr you think if I sent you some info on what I have done you may can give me some tips I cant get past 1910 if you have time that is.

I would be happy to tb-- jrfrost50@yahoo.com

tbharris94 says, thanks jr i just hope i don’t blow your mind with the story....LOL

I love good stories Tb...

calb119 says, every time i get stumped i look jr up... she talks me through it

tbharris94 says, well thanks everyone and i will send you that e-mail Jr .........good night all

Marie is another good source, if you cant find me or Rita

ok Tb, thanks for coming